I’ve had a Sony STR-DH520 driving the same pile of speakers since 2011, and every time I test a new soundbar, I land on the same conclusion. It’s not even close, and you can buy a used AV receiver for the price of a cheap soundbar to hear it for yourself. A real center channel, real surrounds, and a subwoofer I can park wherever the room likes. It beats beamforming tricks and up-firing drivers.