It started as a compromise: a slim bar under your TV, offering better-than-TV audio without the bulk or complexity of separates. But that was then. Today, soundbars like the Devialet Dione are challenging entire 5.1 home cinema systems, not just in convenience, but in performance, immersion and even price.
At around the same price point as a full AV receiver and speaker setup, high-end soundbars are no longer the budget option. They're claiming serious space in the luxury AV world. And for some buyers, they're winning.
So, is this the death knell for the traditional home cinema package?
Not quite. But the landscape is changing fast.
What You Get with an Atmos Soundbar Like the Dione
The Devialet Dione isn’t your average soundbar. Built with a striking 5kg aluminium unibody and loaded with 17 drivers (yes, seventeen), it delivers Dolby Atmos from a single chassis. There's no separate subwoofer or rear speakers. Yet the sound is punchy, the imaging precise and the spatialisation eerily effective thanks to its Orb centre speaker and room calibration tech.
Devialet's proprietary SPACE technology remaps stereo content to fill the room with immersive sound, even from older sources. The Dione handles lossless audio over eARC, plays nice with AirPlay 2 and Spotify Connect, and it auto-calibrates to your room's acoustics. All without a mess of wires or speaker stands.
For many, that’s the dream: premium sound, minimal clutter.
The Traditional Setup: Still the Gold Standard?
Let’s not forget what a full 5.1 or 7.1 system does right. Separate speakers positioned at precise locations deliver directional sound with authority. A powered subwoofer brings serious low-end grunt. An AVR offers switching, processing and future-proofing that a soundbar simply can’t.
A good on-wall 5.1 setup, think KEF T-Series or B&W MT-50D, paired with a Denon or Marantz AVR can outclass a soundbar in raw separation, dynamic range and upgradeability. You also gain control over each speaker’s placement and level, something soundbars emulate, but never replicate.
And yes, there’s still a certain joy in owning a proper stack of gear. It says: I care about sound.
All-in-One Dolby Atmos Soundbar vs Traditional 5.1 System (AVR + On-Wall Speakers)
| Feature | All-in-One Dolby Atmos Soundbar | Traditional 5.1 Home Cinema Setup (AV Receiver + On-Wall Speakers) |
| Audio Format Support | Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus | Full support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Auro-3D (depends on AVR) |
| Speaker Configuration | 5.1.2 in a single soundbar unit (17 drivers) | True 5.1 with separate front, centre, surrounds + subwoofer |
| Sound Quality | Impressive spatial separation for a soundbar, excellent clarity and depth | More immersive surround experience, better separation and directionality |
| Bass Performance | Built-in subwoofer drivers, tight and punchy but limited in extension | Dedicated subwoofer provides deeper, room-filling bass |
| Aesthetic Integration | Sleek, minimal design with premium finish, easy to place | Can blend with decor but requires wall mounting or stands |
| Ease of Installation | Plug-and-play setup, minimal cabling, app-based tuning | Professional setup often needed, wiring required for all channels |
| Room Flexibility | Works well in medium-sized rooms, ideal for open-plan spaces | Offers customisation, but requires careful speaker placement |
| Upgrade Path | Limited (no way to add height/surrounds or separate components) | Fully upgradeable: swap out speakers, change AVR, expand channels |
| Smart Features | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, UPnP, eARC, app control | Varies by AVR brand: may include Alexa, Google, app control, multiroom |
| Calibration & Tuning | Uses Devialet’s proprietary room calibration (SPACE™) | Often includes Audyssey, Dirac Live or YPAO room correction |
| Price Point | ~₹2.0–2.5 lakh | ~₹2.0–2.5 lakh (entry-level premium setup with on-wall 5.1 and mid-tier AVR) |
| Best For | Design-led homes, users who want minimal fuss with great performance | Enthusiasts who prioritise upgradeability, power and cinematic realism |
| Compromises | Less flexible, no real rear channels or discrete Atmos height | Requires space, cabling and sometimes professional tuning |
Convenience vs Customisation
That’s the real battleground. A Dolby Atmos Enabled All-in-One 5.1.2 Soundbar is plug-and-play. No speaker wire, no amp matching, no rack mounts. You hang it, power it and go.
A 5.1 separate package? That’s a project. You plan, wire, tune and maybe even bring in an installer. But the result is yours. Custom to your space, your ears, your style.
A Dolby Atmos Enabled Soundbar delivers incredible sound, but it’s a pre-curated experience. You can’t swap out the sub. You can’t add ceiling speakers. It’s brilliant, but it’s also fixed.
Acoustics and the Room Factor
Room shape and material play a massive role in audio performance. Soundbars rely on reflected audio to simulate height and rear channels. That works well in rectangular rooms with flat walls and ceilings. Less so in open-plan spaces or glass-heavy modern flats.
A traditional 5.1 setup is less dependent on ideal surfaces. With wired rear surrounds and a dedicated centre channel, what you hear is more direct, more predictable.
In other words, if your room is tricky, the traditional route might still be safer.
Who Is the Dolby Atmos Enabled Soundbar Really For?
Let’s be honest. This isn’t for someone who’s comparing it to a budget soundbar. At Rs 1.5+ lakhs, the dolby atmos soundbar sits directly opposite some very capable home cinema systems.
But that’s also the point. It’s for the buyer who wants top-tier sound without the hassle. Someone who values performance but refuses to deal with spaghetti cables, amp menus or speaker stands.
It’s a lifestyle play, but with legitimate hi-fi DNA.
Also Read: 5 Top Trending Soundbars to Watch Out for in 2025
AVRs Are Smarter Now Too
One reason soundbars have gained ground is ease-of-use. But modern AVRs have caught up. Brands like Denon, Marantz and Yamaha now offer app-based setup, room correction software like Audyssey and YPAO, and seamless HDMI switching. You can walk into a multi-channel world without hiring a tech guru.
Still, it takes work. More than a Dolby Atmos Enabled Soundbar. And that friction is enough to push some buyers toward the soundbar path.
The Aesthetic Argument
Soundbars look sleek. One unit under the TV. Maybe wall-mounted. Done.
Even the most elegant 5.1 systems involve visible hardware unless you recess everything or go architectural. For renters or those in glass-heavy condos, that just isn’t always feasible.
And let’s face it, aesthetics matter. A Dolby Atmos Enabled Soundbar feels more like a sculpture than a soundbar.
Where Soundbars Still Fall Short
If you want the full force of a dedicated sub, rear speaker envelopment or the upgrade path to 7.2.4, a soundbar, any soundbar, can’t match a well-designed component system.
They’re getting close. Scarily close in some rooms. But physics still matters. Real separation beats simulated every time, especially in larger spaces or acoustically treated rooms.
What Should You Buy?
Here’s the honest take:
Buy a Dolby Atmos soundbar like the Devialet Dione if:
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You prioritise aesthetics, simplicity and plug-and-play convenience
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You live in a flat, rental or open-plan home where wiring a 5.1 isn’t practical
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You want high-end sound, but not AV receiver complexity
Buy a traditional 5.1 speaker package if:
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You value speaker placement and the ability to tweak and upgrade
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You have a dedicated space or don’t mind visible gear
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You want the most immersive experience possible at this price
Final Thoughts: Not a Death, But a Diversification
Dolby Atmos soundbars haven’t killed the 5.1 package. What they’ve done is steal its default status. For a long time, anyone serious about sound went straight to separates.
Now? There’s a legitimate fork in the road.
The Dolby Atmos Enabled Soundbar doesn’t try to be a home theatre system. It redefines what one could be. But it won’t replace the traditional stack for everyone and that’s not a bad thing.
In a world where minimalism meets performance, both approaches have a right to exist. Just know what matters more to you: the pursuit or the plug-in.
Explore our premium range of Dolby Atmos Soundbars and get in touch with us today. Our team of experts can help you make the right choice.
