I have long been of the opinion that $500 is the absolute maximum you should spend on a sound bar -- especially when something like the Dolby Atmos-toting Vizio SB36512-f6 offers all you need. Yet, while I loved the Vizio SB36512, it's not the best Dolby Atmos sound bar. The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is.
If you want the most realistic surround sound from a single speaker, the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is the best there is.
The Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar is the best-sounding single speaker I've ever heard; It offers the most realistic emulated surround at any price; The sound bar offers advanced connectivity, including HDMI eARC and Wi-Fi; It costs and performs about the same as a receiver and speakers but doesn't fill your living space with boxes.
The Sennhiser Ambeo is one of the most expensive sound bars on the market, and it doesn't have a subwoofer; Spending more on a sub will open the sound up dynamically; Music can be a little harsh sounding; It's huge.