Good question -- I haven't had one of the Onkyo/Sony HTIB systems in my setup, so this is based on in-store vs. in-home comparison, but I'd say that the overall quality is similar, with perhaps a slight edge for the ZVOX sound quality (tonal balance, compression, etc.). The nod goes to the discrete HTIB systems for creating a true surround-soundfield. Overall convenience would go for the soundbar, though.
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Good question -- I haven't had one of the Onkyo/Sony HTIB systems in my setup, so this is based on in-store vs. in-home comparison, but I'd say that the overall quality is similar, with perhaps a slight edge for the ZVOX sound quality (tonal balance, compression, etc.). The nod goes to the discrete HTIB systems for creating a true surround-soundfield. Overall convenience would go for the soundbar, though.