re: Sound bars

Go to rtings.com for a list of unbiased sound bar and TV reviews. They purchase everything they review. No manufacturers are allowed to send products for review. The reviews are extensive and data-based from testing using existing test systems, not subjective "it sounded great!" type of consumer reviews.

I'm an audiophile so my system is on the expensive side, but not as expensive as some audiophiles I know. At some point you reach the point of diminishing returns.
I have Klipsch Reference towers with Klipsch Reference book-shelfs, a Klipsch center channel, and an SVS 12" sub. My surround receiver is a Yamaha Aventage.
I mainly just run in stereo mode because I listen to music more than I watch movies. I also run mine hard wired because bluetooth doesn't transmit HD audio. Bluetooth has a limit of about 256kb/s bitrate, while HD audio is 1444kb/s. 256kb/s is fine for movies because that's enough for the human vocal range to be transmitted pretty clearly. The higher bitrate is for the little details in music and sound effects that you'd miss with bluetooth. It's very noticable.
The SVS sub I have can hit below 20Hz, which is below human hearing, but you can feel it.
I'll admit that it doesn't have as clean of a look as wireless, I can run it through wifi to get HD audio to avoid BT, but I'm pretty old school and just prefer wiring. I can deal with a slightly unclean look.

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Is Bose better than Sonos or are they about the same?

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I have both and i prefer the Sonos.

I bought the cheapest, smallest LG soundbar with a sub that I could find. And it gets way louder than I will ever need. Huge upgrade from stock tv speakers. I chose LG because that's the tv brand so the connection and integration was optimal and I don't need a separate remote to operate it, etc. So that's my recommendation. Get a brand that matched your tv.

I have Bose throughout my home and at work for 11 years and had one upgrade.
I’m pleased.

I replaced an old surround system in the living room with SONOS Playbase, sub, and Play1 surrounds 10 years ago. They sound great, get very loud, and easy to setup but most of thier stuff doesn't have bluetooth which is frustrating for how expensive it was. I now have the SONOS for TV only and Bose Revolve speakers throughout the house for music. This setup is very versatile and easy but total cost was north of $4k.

I also have Polk React surround system setup in the master bedroom. The sound is great, it is wireless and has bluetooth, and was less than 1/3 cost of the SONOS. Polk no longer manufactures this but replaced with MagniFi which looks and costs similar. If I had to start over I'd go this route, maybe some extra bluetooth speakers for the pool and patio, and save a ton of money.

I would at least add a sub for the soundbar or you'll likely be disappointed with the upgrade.

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Or is there another brand that you prefer.

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Samsung, and I don't even use the TVs. Based on a decent amount of research and Andrew Robinson's Youtube channel.

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I was of that mind set for a number of years but the higher end sound bars are pretty impressive now. I still prefer a separate speaker set up but for a small room or for folks that just want the plug an play simplicity, there are some impressive sounding options out there.

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I am going to have to take a look at them to see whats available now.

With the receiver, do you also use it as a stereo? Awhile back I was looking at stereos just because its been awhile since I had mine and.. well music today is made to be listened to from headphones are Bluetooth speakers and sometimes I just get the itch to want to listen to the music I listened to growing up in the way they were made to be listened to.

If so, how do you listen to your music?

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You ever see tits on a bull?

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We were riding horses through a pasture full of cattle. My sister, about 10 at the time, looked at a bull and said, "Look at that cow with one big titty!"