we try several different model over the year to use in we vacation\/retirement home and this be the only one that give we a excellent surround experience while also be able to handle we music need . the lack of wire around the house be my wife 's # 1 priority , and my # 2 - my first priority have always be the sound quality and the ability to fill we 19 ' x 25 ' great room . you can tailor the overall sound quality through a number of setting . have be in the reidential and commercial audio\/video industry in the 70 and early 80s in both retail sale and as a manufacturer ' rep , I be well aware of the development in surround sound and have watch it evolve . I more often deal with recording and sound reinforcement product - the former usually involve small monitor and the latter use large scale multiple speaker array and so I tend to lean toward the larger box sound , but this system amaze I . I also sell a large amount of Yamaha pro equipment , include they amplifier as well as guitar and electronic keyboard . they product be always among the best and the most reliable . while I agree placement be important -lrb- it be in all system , do not let the industry hype fool you -rrb- I find it work well in a variety of placement position as long as you run the auto setup and then tweak to you liking . please understand that I be a `` early-senior '' with a moderate amount of hearing loss from the aging process , and more importantly from a number of year in work in high sound pressure environment for extended period of time -lrb- in the sound room and on stage -rrb- . I no longer consider myself a critical listener -lrb- I do not listen to `` the sound '' anymore - I listen to the content -rrb- so what I hear may not apply to you need , but I believe this product to be a exceptional value sound bar .