Thanks for all the responses, I appreciate all of them and did not intend to be snippy. I was at work and posting between tasks, so the writing style gets very direct and blunt as I have short blocks of time available.
The LG recommendation and the associated interfaces available due to being the same brand it tempting. The Sonus bars seem to get pretty positive response, but they are so small I wonder how they accomplish this. A small wireless sub makes sense and will be used.
I appreciate all the posts, even if I won't be going the way of powered speakers. The soundbar is a big enough intrusion for the wife, as she wants minimal electronics in the family room. Could be because I have a large pair of JBL floorstanders, Velodyne subs, monoblock amplifiers and two turntables in the living room. So I am trying to follow her wishes the best I can and still get the best sound possible given these restraints.