Just as general info. Few soundbars will decode your high-def audio correctly. For that matter, even those HTIB's that do decode those formats don't always do it correctly, plus the speakers that come with most HTIB's are so inaccurate, it would be hard to quantify any benefit, other than mental satisfaction, to be gained going that route.
Soundbars are best thought of as a way to enhance the usually lousy sound from most HDTV's. Your Samsung DLP might be an exception and could conceivably have better sound processing than many soundbars or HTIB's. Most LCD and Plasma HDTV's do not have the room for proper drivers or enclosures for decent sound. I have owned three soundbars and have helped set up and listened to probably twice that many in homes of friends and family. Without exception, even the least expensive soundbar sounded worlds better than the built-in audio from the TV. Typically, dynamic range was expanded, frequency response extended and voices made to sound clearer and more natural. Some of these systems had external woofers (I hesitate to call any of these boxes sub-woofers because I have never heard one that can audibly pass frequencies from the lowest octave without distorting), some did not. If the woofer was of decent quality, this is usually an added benefit as long as you don't raise the overall level louder than the main system. The rule of thumb, if you don't have a sound meter or good setup disc is to raise the level of the sub-woofer or woofer until you can audibly tell it is there, then back off until you can not identify whether bass sounds are coming from the main unit or the sub.
When it comes to how soundbars sound, there is only one way to determine, and that is to listen in the home. I have only experienced one soundbar set up in anywhere close to an optimum setting in a store. Typically they all sound terrible to my ears inside a store. Of course, I have one or two friends who think they all sounded really good and spent untold hours going back and forth to different stores to audition before making up their minds.
When it comes to soundbars, don't try to make a decision based on any rational criteria. Price, weight, driver size, amplifier power (which is rather comical when you look at the listed numbers for some units) mean almost nothing when it comes to slecting a unit that will improve your system. I have owned soundbars that retailed for more than 1500 and less than 100. None sounded bad, but the 100 system sounds more like music and voice than the 1500 system.
If you are truly interested in high definition audio (Hi-Fi as it used to be known), I would bypass the less expensive entry level (HTIB) systems and start out with a good (not necessarily expensive) receiver and a pair of reasonably good sounding floor standing or bookshelf speakers on stands. Good receivers can be had for less than $400 from Denon, Yamaha, Sony, Pioneer and especially Onkyo (very good quality components inside for the money you spend). Look on line to find units that will decode the HD audio formats you are interested in. When you find one that meets your criteria, you should not have to audition it. The old axiom that all amplifiers sound the same is pretty much true, especially when dealing with receivers. Good floorstanding or bookshelf speakers can be had from companies such as Swan, Infinity, Definitive Technology, Energy and many others. If you can find a decent place to audition, this could be quite enjoyable. For a more immersive experience you might check out Mangeplanars web site. They have a small distributed voice-coil speaker for $600 that will outperform 90% of the box speakers at any price and give you either a 30 or 60 day return policy, no questions asked. Two Mangepans will give you better hi-fi experience than five or seven of most box speakers that could be had for less than $5,000. Not necessarily the cheap $600 model, but some of their slightly more expensive models.
A good hi-fi system sometimes sounds better in a small space than a cheap, small system. The ability to play loudly and cleanly usually translates to being able to hear nuances of music or voice at lower sound levels. Sometimes, with a cheap system, you have to crank it up before it begins to sound decent.
Hope this helps somewhat and good luck.
