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Reddit Reviews
waterchangeSamsung HW-S800B (or HW-S80CB/ZA model for Costco) is 4 cm tall with a separate sub and optical in. It's not sold anymore but I see it for sale on eBay for \~$400 or I'd probably take a chance on the $150 refurb here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/136833175426. Oops, ignore this if you don't have room for the sub.
insert_emojisamsung makes a really thin soundbar, i believe its the s801 and is a 3.1.2 channel minimal soundbar within your budget. not a rumbling bass from that sub, but i find it very good for vocals, mids and highs, and has a very nice aesthetic to it. sony is also an excellent option if you want balanced sound, and expandable options.
End of reviews
Rankings by Use Case
Top recommendations from others in the same boat
Best for Apartments
Top pick
Sonos - Arc Ultra
Best for Dialogue clarity
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Sonos - Beam (Gen 2)
Best for Large open-concept rooms
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Sonos - Arc Ultra
Best for Music-first listening
Top pick
Sonos - Playbar
Best for Standalone setups
Top pick
Sonos - Arc Ultra
