Are ~£200 soundbars actually any good?

[C70R]

So I'm putting a TV on the wall in a small room (~5x4m), and I don't really want to install a proper 5.1 system for a number of reasons (the room has just been decorated at great cost, and it's intended to be quite minimal).

I have a lovely pair of floorstanders that I had planned to use, but putting them in the room just doesn't look right. So I got around to thinking about mounting a soundbar on the wall, and hiding a wireless sub away somewhere. Realistically this is only going to be an occasional viewing room, so I'm not inclined to spend loads on the sound. I can see quite a few soundbars at and below the £200 mark, and plenty of positive reviews on the likes of the RicherSounds site.
Am I going to buy one and be really disappointed that the sound is barely better than TV speakers? Am I going to buy one and find out that the fancy 'virtual' surround effects are largely useless?
Am I missing any other options (I had considered bookshelf speakers either side of the TV)?

[boobles]

I would say yes. I recently bought an LG wireless soundbar & sub for slightly less than £200 & it's brilliant.... Before that I was using my Denon speakers but the LG stuff is better.

[Fonzey]

Compared to separate speakers a soundbar is always going to be compromised so I probably wouldn't spend much more than £200 anyway! That said, it will be a drastic improvement over the TV speakers. I think Soundbars are ideal for "occasional viewing rooms", once we finish the master bedroom I'll be doing similar in there.

[TroubledSoul]

I have a Denon which is very good, and comes with a separate sub woofer. Can't complain at all really.

[C70R]

Thanks folks - perhaps my fears are unfounded. Time to get along to RicherSounds and listen to a couple.

[AC43]

I bought one of these for £250 a few years ago.

It's nothing like a proper sound system but is a million times better than TV speakers (which I can't bear).

https://www.whathifi.com/pioneer/sbx-n700/review

[Black can man]

C70R said:

Thanks folks - perhaps my fears are unfounded. Time to get along to RicherSounds and listen to a couple.

We have a Canton & it really is beautiful ,

[Jiebo]

I bought a £1200 bose soundbar and subwoofer, and honestly, its total crap.

My floor standing Tannoy speakers and marantz amp blows it away in every respect, and only cost £380.

If you have no reference, I'm sure a £200 soundbar will be an improvement though.

[Tony1963]

Bose.....

[AC43]

Jiebo said:

I bought a £1200 bose soundbar and subwoofer, and honestly, its total crap.

My floor standing Tannoy speakers and marantz amp blows it away in every respect, and only cost £380.

If you have no reference, I'm sure a £200 soundbar will be an improvement though.

I recently bought a "£900" Yamaha sound bar/sub for £550.

It's noticeably better than than my other £250 Panny one and a million times better than TV speakers.

But of course not a patch on a proper amp and speakers set up.

I find Bose a bit odd in that some of their stuff seems way overpriced compared to the competition. I guess they spunk a lot on ads and expensive storefronts.

[C70R]

So, after a trip to JL and RS I think I've found the one for me. The next step is how to go about wall-mounting it immediately below the TV. As far as I can see, there are 3 options:
1. Small L-brackets directly into wall, with soundbar resting on
2. L-brackets attached to back of TV, with soundbar resting on
3. Brackets attached to back of TV, with soundbar bolted to at rear

Any suggestions or experiences?
I'm trying to minimise visible metalwork, and will be running power etc. into the wall/chimney behind the TV.