What is the best soundbar for a Sony Bravia tv?

Sony has recently launched their own range of soundbars but there are many more to choose from and that will work with Sony and other brands of television.

Recent installations of a soundbar comparison system in a UK supermarket demonstrate very well that there are big differences in the performance of various soundbars. More importantly, it isn't the most expensive that sound the best. It is vital that you get to listen to a few of them to make your own comparison. There is little point in buying a soundbar to find that it doesn't improve the sound compared to the television's internal speakers. Similarly, there is no point in buying a more expensive model when others sound just as good.

Sound is a very personal thing to judge so offering opinions about the best doesn't help. However, it is worth listening to models from Sony, Yamaha, Samsung and Roth among others but let your own ears be the judge of what is right.

Edit: In my experience the addition of a sub-woofer can do much to enhance the realism of the sound field. There are some soundbars that have sub-woofers matched to them and some that are connected wirelessly. The placement relative to the HDTV is relatively unimportant. The HEOS by Denon HomeCinema system includes both a soundbar and subwoofer as their combo. And with the two together, they deliver an incredibly clear and resounding sound experience.