Replacing surround with sound bar

I switched to the Sony soundbar added the bigger sub and smaller back channel loudspeakers and have been very happy.  I was using a 2 channel with single subwoofer setup run through a Roksan analog preamp.  I took the analog audio output from the television.  It sounded good.  I then got a bigger, newer TV with very limited analog outputs and thought I should do something.  The sound, particularly dialog, is much better with the Sony soundbar, but the setup and convenience are far, far superior to the previous 2 channel movie playback.  It's all wireless with automatic room optimization and I can use a single remote for all television/streaming viewing.  Unless you're trying for some sort of statement multi-channel viewing experience I would highly recommend the Sony soundbar.

I have not used the Sony for music playback.

The model I got was the HT-A7000.  It's being discounted right now.  Could be a new model coming?

Several years ago I replaced NAD T765 with PSB speakers and Mirage sub for a Bluesound sound bar to down size. 
 

I haven’t regretted it though I use my tv as a monitor for Roon probably more than for tv or movies. 
 

It’s an option and if aligned with your priorities can be worthwhile 

There is a big difference between a real surround system and a soundbar, even a cheap surround system. I would do what you have to do to keep it. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I understand the eARC issue. The last time I upgraded our TVs… suddenly all the TVs and surround systems and sound bars suddenly started working together under the eARC input. I only had to upgrade my HDMI cable to 2.0 or something like that.

But I understand. My partner is disabled and bedridden, so we have a 65” and a soundbar in the bedroom. I think it is pretty easy to show ~ best is the Sennheiser Ambeo. Add a small sub and you have really good natural sound, but not surround.

@ghdprentic Sadly many early generation HDMI processors have no ability to take sound from the TV.

If you only use external sources like Roku, a BD player or a cable box then it can go through the HDMI processor without a problem. It’s when you use, for instance, the Netflix app on the TV that you are pretty much out of luck.

Of course, one other alternative is to use the digital out from the TV which normally supports at least 5.1.

When my wife and I finished renovating our house in early 2022 I had to make a big change in our Home Theater because we were relocating the position of the television on a console. I had to replace my old B&W CC6 center channel, ASW-650 subwoofer, and Magneplanar MG-I L/R combo, with an Onkyo AVR that I had been very happy with. It was a simple 3.1 setup that was all we could do in living room. Nevertheless, it was very enjoyable.

I had to simplify my setup because of space considerations and decided a high-end soundbar was the only way I could go. I was able to finagle and negotiate the purchase of two small subs instead of one big one. That decided, after a bit of research, I decided on the GoldenEar 3D Array XL soundbar plus two ForceField 3 subwoofers, and a Pioneer AVR.

Almost two years later I can say I made the right decision. The sound on my new 3.2 system has been excellent, very involving. Sporting events are fantastic with this combination, as are movies and episodic tv shows. I don’t watch modern movies that much — because they all suck. But when I watch a modern movie with a surround soundtrack, the sound is spectacular. I buy physical media (Blu-rays) for anything that’s good enough to keep.

I have always known that a Home Theater is a very different animal than a high-end two-channel system. Even though I took great care in selecting these components, the content that is reproduced in a Home Theater is very different from that reproduced in a two-channel system. Music in our living room, when played, is streamed for parties, or for background, so the reference standard I have in my two channel system is not really a fair apple-to-apples comparison. That said, the GoldenEars are fantastic, really great sound, and highly recommended.