If you can return, why not try a 7.2.4 nakamichi shockwafe?
If you deactivate all the SSE Max or whatever they called which is their audio processing software, you get great Atmos music results if you happen to have a nvidia shield or Apple TV 4K
I had a true 7.2.4 Denon AVR with Acoustic research speakers in my basement HT., paired with an Epson 4k projector and a 120" screen. Audio and video fully calibrated. When we moved to the new house, we have no space to replicate that setup in an open concept living room and a small den where we have our HTs. So, I got a Nakamichi 7.2.4 system for the den and a q990C for the living room.
I am extremely extremely happy with the soundbars for what we watch and what theydo.
I miss my ability to tweak and calibrate each individual speakers like I was able to with my previous AVR & speakers, but I'm getting over it.
I hear that these soundbars use digital gimmicks to produce the 11.1.4 effect. Sure. My previous setup also did that for the height and side effects when the sound panned overhead and around the walls. Unless I have my whole ceiling and walls lined with 82 speakers like the nearby Emagine theater, I'll always have to live with DSP sound fields.
FWIW, I have used a Dolby Atmos test signal file with my sound pressure level meter and have adjusted speaker levels to 75 db at my seating position for each one. I had to bring down the subwoofer level waaaaay down. I did this in "Standard" mode. My Dolby 5.1 and Dolby Atmos demos sound Amazing! I have since turned on to Surround mode for the extra DSP to get the full, albeit "artificial" surround field.
Honestly those prices I’d get 1 of the couple Vizio M series 5,1,2 or check out used. I got a crazy deal on a Nakamichi 9,2,4 and a 7.2.4. You can’t beat dual 8 or 10” subs on anything really.
I had the 7.2.4 and the wires to the rear were an issue in my room, the connectivity with subwoofers were shaky. Good home theater sound, music was just ok. Functionally it was really cool but remote is needed. I replaced it with JBL 700MK2 for wireless rear and much happier with sound on both tv and music and lack of wires because of my room setup. I put wall mounts on tripods to configure atmos. Bass is deep and enhances at low volume too. Easy setup, good app, and remote control is small, simple, and not necessary to use all the time. I Love JBL/Harmon speakers.
If money really is no object, the Nakamichi Dragon Quad costs $7K and is the best on the market. For less money, the less expensive Nakamichis are still the best on the market. I have a Shockwafe 9.2earc on one TV and a Shockwafe 7.2 earc on another TV. I've been through more soundbars than I can remember and the Nakamichis are the only ones that I've kept. Better than Vizio, Samsung, and a million others I tried.
Not true. Their newer soundbars are excellent. I have two different Shockwafe eARC models and they are a lot better than pretty much all comparable systems from Samsung, LG, Vizio, TCL, and a bunch of others I've been through. I bought and returned probably 7 or 8 soundbars including the highly rated Samsung 990. The only ones I didn't return are the Vizio M512a-h6 which I kept because they were the best out of that bunch. All the rest of them were pieces of crap. Eventually I upgraded from the Vizios to the Nakamichis and never looked back. I still have the Vizios stored in a closet just in case.
The most recent ones like the Dragon and the Shockwafe Wireless are incredible.
That said, sure, a well matched system of AVR and separate speakers can sound better but they are also more expensive and not always physically possible to place in some rooms.
I would go with a regular 5.1 setup. The challenge might be where to put the receiver. You say you "probably already have an amp" but you really need a true AVR.
It looks like there is at least 12" on either side of the TV. Just buy a good pair of small bookshelf speakers, and set them on the rear corners of the cabinet. Buy a slim center channel and set it under the TV. The subwoofer can be located elsewhere in the room and the surrounds obviously go to the sides of the listening area. You'll be limited in the size of the speakers you can use, but there are some very good small speakers out there. Probably your biggest challenge would be wiring for the sub and surrounds.
If all of that is too much, the only soundbar I would consider would be the Nakamichi Shockwafe with dual subwoofers. The satellites and subs are wireless. My son-in-law bought that and it actually sounds pretty good. It doesn't have full room calibration like an AVR would, but there are settings to customize the sound to your room. Make sure you buy the one with dual subwoofers. That solution comes in under budget and would probably work well for you. They're sometimes available as factory refurbs, which is what he did.
Donts41
