Soundbars are just one step above TV speakers. The passive/active soundbar discussion is a distraction, the only difference is whether there's an amp attached to the soundbar or not. Having a separate amp will likely give you more volume if the soundbar can handle the power. And my last bit of negativism is that you don't get surround sound from a soundbar, you get simulated surround sound. (Often you only use a stereo connection.) So if all of these compromises are okay with you, then a soundbar is good.
If you want good audio with true surround sound you'll have to go with either satellites or bookshelfs. Given the WAF, a good option for you might be satellites. Combined with a decent sub they are better than most people would think for movie watching. Now you have to get decent ones, I have an affinity for Harmon/Kardon satellites. In-walls/On-walls are always an option too.
If you want good sound for music, you'll have to go with bookshelfs (or towers, but I figure that's out of the picture for you).
And just so I don't come off as a complete anti-soundbar snob, I'll add that I currently run all three types of systems - a sound bar (in the bedroom), satellite speakers (in the main movie location), and bookshelf speakers (in my study, mostly for music).
If you want good audio with true surround sound you'll have to go with either satellites or bookshelfs. Given the WAF, a good option for you might be satellites. Combined with a decent sub they are better than most people would think for movie watching. Now you have to get decent ones, I have an affinity for Harmon/Kardon satellites. In-walls/On-walls are always an option too.
If you want good sound for music, you'll have to go with bookshelfs (or towers, but I figure that's out of the picture for you).
And just so I don't come off as a complete anti-soundbar snob, I'll add that I currently run all three types of systems - a sound bar (in the bedroom), satellite speakers (in the main movie location), and bookshelf speakers (in my study, mostly for music).
