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Best cinema surround sound system


Best Home Theater Systems of 2022

When it comes to setting up a home theater, the TV may come first, but equally important is improving sound quality. There are plenty of options when it comes to buying a home theater sound system: from AV receivers and multispeaker setups to simpler yet still powerful soundbars, we've got you covered.

Soundbars offer a lot of performance in a compact package and cost much less to get up and running than a speaker system. You can even choose one with advanced features like Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. Some soundbars offer an upgrade path including optional subwoofers and rear speakers, though if you want to truly mix and match speakers, an AV receiver is for you. 

Receivers offer a lot in the box and, unlike soundbars, they have plenty of HDMI inputs to accommodate different sources. You can start with just a couple of stereo speakers -- I did without surround-sound speakers for about five years before I upgraded, and didn't feel I was missing out.

Whichever route you choose -- soundbars or AV systems -- there should be something here that will improve your home entertainment experience. These are the best home theater systems available right now. We'll update this list periodically as we review new products.

Roku Streambar

Best budget soundbar

When it comes to bang for buck, it doesn't get much better than the Roku Streambar home theater system. This speaker offers both a dialogue-enhancing soundbar and a built-in 4K streamer in one package. If you want more bass or surround speakers, the system is also upgradable. You can choose the speaker package.

Read our Roku Streambar review.

 

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Klipsch Reference Theater Pack

Best surround-sound speaker package under $500

Originally retailing for $1,200, the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack is currently on sale for a quarter of that. This set features big sound from a compact 5.1-channel surround-sound system, and it is a perfect home theater option for apartments or games rooms. This speaker system is excellent for movies and not bad for music, either. Just add a receiver.

Read our Klipsch Reference Theater Pack review.

 

$285 at Amazon

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Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2

Best stereo speakers under $500

If there's one area where we're spoiled for choice, it's affordable stereo speakers, and at $399 the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s offer excellent playback of both movies and music. They offer a transparency that's unlike anything else near the price. While the Q Acoustic 3030is are more even-handed and have better bass response, they're also $550.

$400 at Amazon

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Vizio M512a

Best value Dolby Atmos soundbar system

While the rotating speakers of the Vizio Elevate are cool, that system doesn't offer the best bang for your buck within the company's range. The Vizio M512a is a Dolby Atmos soundbar that includes 4K Dolby Vision, a subwoofer and rear-channel speakers, making it a sort of hybrid between a receiver-based system and a soundbar. It also provides incredible sound quality for music and movies for a hair under $500.

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Onkyo TX-NR6100

Best 8K receiver

Despite the fact that there's basically no 8K video available now, you still can buy an 8K-compatible receiver. While the Yamaha RX-V6a with its striking looks and rock-solid performance is the best of the crop, it's also on back order at most places. If you need an 8K receiver right now then the TX-NR6100 is a worthy replacement. It offers a superior streaming suite -- including Chromecast built-in -- and better ease of use. It is a bit more expensive than the Yamaha, however, at $800 (versus $700). 

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Sennheiser Ambeo

Best soundbar with money no object

If you demand the best Dolby Atmos performance from a single soundbar, it doesn't get any better than the Sennheiser Ambeo audio system. It's not cheap, and it's not small, but if you want the best sound, this is it.

Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar review.

 

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Best surround sound system 2022: for your home theater

(Image credit: Sony)

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If you've invested in a great TV but still feel like something is missing. Whether you spend Friday nights watching action films or listening to your favorite tunes, the best surround sound system can unlock a whole new experience with boosted bass, room-filled sound, and more. But, as any film buff or avid gamer will tell you, the image is only half of the picture.

So if you're looking to perfect your home cinema experience – especially when the local multiplex isn't a go-to option and more and more of the latest movies are streaming at home- you'll need a great sound system, too.

Surround sound gear has come a long way in recent years. The mess of cables, speakers, and stands that used to dot around our living rooms has given way to much tidier single-unit soundbars that sit underneath our TVs and beef up what the slim flat panels can't produce.

And yes, there's still a lot to love about having speakers dotted around your room. Still, now they're usually wireless in form and often offer upwards-firing Dolby Atmos sound, too, for an audio track that lives and breathes all around you – including from above.

If you want to make a surround sound upgrade, we've assembled some of the best options below. Of course, if you're not so sure you need multiple speakers, you can check out our guide to the best soundbars.

The best surround sound systems in 2022: tried and tested by us

Why you can trust Livingetc Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Sony)

1. Sony HT-A9 Home Theater System

Best wireless surround sound system

Specifications

Components: 4 x speakers; 1 x receiver

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect

Dimensions (speakers): h22.3 x W6.2 x D5.7in

Reasons to buy

+

Wireless connectivity between speakers and control box

+

Works with Google Assistant and Alexa

+

Adaptive audio technology

+

Dolby Atmos support

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Only one HDMI input

-

Optional subwoofer sold separately

Today's Best Deals

Made up of just four wireless speakers and a control unit, the Sony HTA9 Home Theater System is ideal for those who don't want to 'settle' for a soundbar but don't have the luxury of installing a vast wired surround sound system in their living room. So whether you're dealing with a small space, an awkwardly shaped space, or just crave simplicity, this could be the answer.

The downside of the HT-A9 is the lack of a subwoofer included, but this can be purchased additionally if you want added oomph. However, the speakers are great on their own, with 360 spatial sound mapping for adaptive audio in your space, built-in Chromecast, and compatibility with an existing Alexa or Google Assistant.

Really, despite being on the more expensive side, the HTA9 system is designed to get you started, and you can add more to the set-up with multiroom listening. While this particular product only works with specific models, you can look at our guide to the best subwoofers to complete your home theater.

Livingetc rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars - read our full review of the Sony HT-A9 Home Theater System

(Image credit: Monoprice)

2. Monoprice SB-600

Best 5.1 home theater system

Specifications

Components: 1 x soundbar; 1 x subwoofer; 2 x speakers

Connectivity: Bluetooth

Dimensions (soundbar): 40. 6 x 4.3 x 3in

Dimensions (subwoofer): 0.4 x 9.4 x 16.5in

Dimensions (speakers): 2.8 x 2.8 x 5.9in

Reasons to buy

+

Dolby Atmos support

+

Good price

+

Subwoofer included

Reasons to avoid

-

No smart home compatibility

-

Rear speakers need to be wired together

Today's Best Deals

Made up of a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers, the Monoprice SB-600 is the first soundbar-based surround sound system on this list, but it won't be the last. This is because this type of home theater system is simple and easy to install, tends to be less of a financial investment, and - with the help of technology like Dolby Atmos - can have a similar impact as older, bulky systems.

The SB-600's components can communicate with each other wirelessly, so you can place the rear speakers somewhere conveniently behind where you usually sit to watch TV. We will note that the two speakers need to be wired together, so bear this in mind.

The soundbar is the best-looking part of the system, which, as it's the thing that will be most on show, is good. Controls are simple and easy to use, and the sound performance is also effective. It's a slightly more budget-friendly option, so it might not blow hardened audiophiles away but will serve those who want surround sound without the complications well. 

Livingetc rating: 4 out of 5 stars - read our full review of the Monoprice SB-600 Soundbar System

The best surround sound systems: more top picks

(Image credit: Sonos)

3. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) System

Best Sonos surround sound bundle

Specifications

Components (depending on retailer): 1 x soundbar; 1 x subwoofer; 2 x speakers

Connectivity: Wi-Fi

Dimensions (soundbar): h3.7 x W25.6 x D3.9in

Dimensions (subwoofer): h25.3 x W15. 8 x D6.2in

Dimensions (speakers): H9.7 x W6.9 x D6.9in

Reasons to buy

+

Alexa and Google Assistant built-in

+

Speech enhancement mode

+

Adaptive sound (requires iOS device)

Reasons to avoid

-

No Bluetooth

-

Only one HDMI input

Today's Best Deals

Sonos doesn't offer a surround sound system as a single product but has a lot of bundles that allow you to use its products in tandem to create the same effect. This Sonos Beam package also includes the newest Sub Mini and two Sonos One SL speakers that can be used as rear units.

This set-up lets you make the most of Sonos' tech, including adaptive sound (which can only be used if you have an iPhone or iOS device), speech enhancement, and more. The Beam (Gen 2) includes Alexa and Google Assistant, and the One SLs can be placed in different areas of the home for multi-room listening.

Read our full review of the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) to find out more.

(Image credit: LG)

4. LG SN11RG Soundbar System

Best LG home theater system

Specifications

Components: 1 x soundbar; 1 x subwoofer; 2 x speakers

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Dimensions (soundbar): h3.5 x W56.8 x D5.8in

Dimensions (subwoofer): h25.4 x W8.7 x D12.3in

Reasons to buy

+

Google Assistant built-in

+

Dolby Atmos

+

Subwoofer included

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

Today's Best Deals

The LG SN11RG is a soundbar system offering rear speakers as part of the package, giving you more than just audio from the front, but also to the side and above you with Dolby Atmos surround sound and from behind with the dual rear speakers. In addition, the wireless subwoofer adds booming bass to the mix.

There are plenty of other surprises, too. Upscaling low-quality audio sources is masterfully handled, while 4K and Dolby Vision pass-through make it an ideal match for any high-end TV that supports HDR. Even Google Assistant support is built-in for controlling smart home gadgetry - though we'd have liked to have Alexa there, too.

If its price wasn't enough of a signal, be warned that this is one big soundbar. Measuring a little over 144cm, it's going to dwarf any TV below 65 inches, so you might want to think about other options if your TV is on the smaller side. Just two HDMI inputs feel a bit mean, too.

(Image credit: Samsung)

5. Samsung HW-Q950T Soundbar System

Best 9.1 surround sound system

Specifications

Components: 1 x soundbar; 1 x subwoofer, 1 x speakers

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Dimensions (soundbar): h3.7 x W48 x D5.4in

Dimensions (subwoofer): h25.9 x W8.3 x D15.9in

Reasons to buy

+

Dolby Atmos

+

Adaptive audio

+

Energy Star certified

+

Alexa built-in (works with SmartThings)

+

Subwoofer included

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

Today's Best Deals

One of our favorite multi-speaker set-ups for your home theater system and choice for the best surround soundbar system, the Samsung HW-Q950T is a modest and compact soundbar system that nevertheless provides a brilliant surround soundscape without taking up too much space around your living room.

Consisting of a soundbar equipped with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X technology, two upfiring rear speakers for overhead audio, and a wireless subwoofer, it's a winner when it comes to audio power. In addition, the tech allows it to tailor the sound to what you're watching in Adaptive Mode and Game Pro mode, depending on what you happen to be enjoying.

There's a bonus for Samsung devotees, too, as the soundbar is compatible with the Q-Symphony features of the brand's QLED TVs. To top things off, the HW-Q950T is the only entry on this list that's Energy Star certified, meaning that it consumes less energy overall.

(Image credit: JBL)

6. JBL 9.1-Channel Soundbar System

Most versatile surround sound system

Specifications

Components: 1 x soundbar; 2 x speakers; 1 x subwoofer

Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Dimensions (soundbar): h3.4 x W34.8 x D4.7in

Dimensions (subwoofer): h27.3 x W12 x D12in

Reasons to buy

+

Works with Google Assistant and Siri

+

Subwoofer included

+

Dolby Atmos

Reasons to avoid

-

Only one HDMI input

-

Soundbar system rather than true surround sound

Today's Best Deals

The JBL Bar 9. 1 is perhaps the most interesting option on this list, or at least the more creative. What at first looks like a standard soundbar hides a secret - its ends snap off, revealing themselves to be battery-powered, fully-featured wireless rear speakers!

It's an ingenious trick, and the central unit acts as the center, left, right, and overhead sound channels and as a charging dock for the rear speakers. The detachable elements are intelligent enough to sense where they've been placed, matching the rear and rear-height ambient sound to any given scene. There's also a separate subwoofer to complete the package.

But of course, there's a catch. Though the JBL Bar 9.1 is an ingenious design and is worthy of a place in your living room for that reason alone, it does have some slight faults. For example, its front channels feel a bit narrow and don't always give a clear sense of audio information flowing in from the left and right.

And yet, it's hard not to find yourself enamored by its clever design, even if it's not quite up there with what the top bar on this list offers.

(Image credit: Klipsch)

7. Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack Surround Sound System

Best budget home theater system

Specifications

Components: 1 x center unit; 4 x speakers 1 x subwoofer

Connectivity: N/A

Dimensions (center unit): h5.3 x W10.7 x D5.3in

Dimensions (subwoofer): h23.2 x W11.7 x D11.7in

Dimensions (speakers): H7.7 x W4.3 x D5.3in

Reasons to buy

+

Good price

+

True surround sound system

+

Subwoofer included

Reasons to avoid

-

No Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or smart home compatibility

Today's Best Deals

True surround sound systems are fantastic for boosting your home theater experience, but building one can be expensive over time. If you want something that will deliver results straight away without needing to add rear speakers and more later, this offering from Klipsch is one to consider.

It comprises six speakers in total - one center channel and four speakers to place around your space in addition to the wireless subwoofer - it's more customizable than some other surround sound systems simply because you have control over where you put them. In addition, the system contains an aluminum tweeter and high-excursion aluminum woofer cones for high-quality sound.

Of course, the trade-off for the price is that the Klipsch HT50 doesn't include Bluetooth connectivity or compatibility with smart home systems like Google Assistant and Alexa. But if this doesn't matter to you, it's a good starter pack for the less tech-savvy who don't want to miss out on excellent audio.

(Image credit: Future)

Black Friday surround sound system deals

The Black Friday sales period is almost upon us, with offers on the best surround sound systems already appearing across the web. The day itself happens on 25 November, but you can expect the bargains to ramp up from now until the end of the month. Bookmark this page, as we will be bringing you the very best Black Friday smart home deals right here.

The best surround sound system prices this Black Friday

Reduced Price

Samsung HW-Q950T

£828.26

£799

View

See all prices

Sony HTA9 Home Theater System

£1,799

View

See all prices

Reduced Price

JBL Bar 9.1

£999.99

£599

View

See all prices

Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack

£555. 10

View

See all prices

How we test the best surround sound systems

All recommendations that we give to our readers on products like the surround sound systems on this list are based on a combination of hands-on experience and industry knowledge. We endeavor to test and review everything that we include in our buying guides, but this is not always possible. The content will clearly mark where we have had this real-world experience with links to in-depth reviews. For more, head over to our article on how we create our buying guides.

The best surround sound systems are tested and ranked based on their ease of use, expense, versatility, and sound quality. Products are trialed in the writers' own homes rather than a lab environment to ensure that promises made by the manufacturers translate to the average home environment.

Smart Home Editor

Caroline is the smart home editor for Livingetc, having written about technology for a living for the past ten years. Her passion for film, TV and music means that she takes her home audio very seriously, and loves digging into the granular details when testing products like the best surround sound systems. All of the recommendations in this guide are based on at-home testing by her or experienced freelancers, as well as industry knowledge.

How to choose the best surround sound system for your home

(Image credit: Sonos)

When picking the best surround sound system for your needs, there are several things to consider. Chief among those is placement – do you have much room beneath your TV? And how about behind your sofa – is there room to set up the rear sound channels and plug sockets to power them from? 

If so, great – any of the picks above will suit your needs. If not, you might want to focus on the single-bar solutions up top, which virtualize the surround sound elements by bouncing audio off your viewing room's walls. Of course, mileage will vary depending on the uniformity of the space (a lovely square room usually works best). Still, all the systems above have intelligent ways of tricking your ears into thinking sound is coming from all around you.

Perhaps worth equal consideration is the broader feature set. If you're planning on playing lots of music through the soundbar, a built-in voice assistant, like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, might be helpful, letting you speak to the speaker to command it to play your favorite tunes at a whim.

Also, think about the TV you're pairing it with – not just in terms of whether it'll obscure the screen, but also what connection you'll need. True audiophiles will be looking out for HDMI connections with an eARC feature – that lets your cables deliver uncompressed multi-channel audio, giving you pristine sound from all directions.

How much does a surround sound system cost?

We have intentionally included surround sound systems across various price points on this list, as different households will have different needs and budgets. The most expensive is the Sony HTA9 Home Theater System, which will set you back around $2000 at the time of writing. This isn't small change, but you are paying for the convenience of the system's wireless set-up.

On the other end of things is the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System, which, in contrast, costs just over $350. Remember that the Klipsch offering won't work with any smart home devices.

(Image credit: JBL)

Do you need a receiver for a surround sound system?

If you're new to sound systems, whether your shiny new speaker set-up needs a receiver may crop up quite early. Older surround sound systems always needed a receiver for the best performance, and while they're still an option, many systems now operate without needing one.

Soundbar systems (those with a bar, subwoofer, and 2+ rear speakers), which are becoming more popular, won't require a receiver at all.

However, multi-speaker systems will depend on how traditional you want to get. A/V receivers are the glue that holds the rest of the components together, and so one may be needed for home theater systems. Before investing in one of these set-ups, ensure you have everything you need to start.

What is the best surround sound system?

Speaker systems come in all shapes and sizes for all different types of rooms. Suppose you’re feeling particularly flush with cash and have the space to indulge your cinematic delights to the nth degree. In that case, you could consider something like the Sony HTA9 Home Theater System , but the mess of cables, space required, and sheer expense means that it's not suitable for everyone.

Instead, you can get great, cinema-like results with a great soundbar and wireless speaker combo like some of the sets listed above. We love the Samsung HW-Q950T Soundbar System or the JBL 9.1-Channel Soundbar System if you want something even more soundbar-like. 

Caroline is the smart homes ecommerce editor for Livingetc, covering everything tech for the home, from smart speakers to air purifiers and everything in between. She is passionate about the role that technology and smart devices can play in daily life, enhancing the home without sacrificing personal style and carefully chosen interiors. In her spare time, she can be found tinkering with bulbs, soundbars, and video doorbells in an effort to automate every part of her small home. Previously, she lent her expertise to the likes of Expert Reviews, IT Pro, Coach, The Week, and more.

Home Theater Sound Systems

A guide to creating an amazing surround sound system

In a nutshell, a surround sound system consists of several main parts. In this article, you'll learn how to put them together to create a coherent home theater sound system. Here's what you need:

Want to keep things simple? Let's take a look at the process of building a home theater sound system using a pre-selected surround sound system as an example. See our top reviews of 2018.

Generally speaking, I'm a seasoned nerd flying through a variety of science fiction. Offer me a space movie or anything with dinosaurs and I'll be fascinated; and it especially pleases me if I can watch a movie on my home theater, because watching a movie in surround sound puts me right in the middle of a space battle or a tyrannosaurus rex chase.

My goal is to help you enjoy the same sense of fun and adventure with your surround sound system. This guide will walk you through the key factors to consider when planning your home theater.

How to choose speakers for your room?

The first thing to consider when designing a surround sound system is the room itself.

How much free space do you have? A large open living room with vaulted ceilings obviously needs different equipment than a small or medium room with 8" ceilings.

If you are planning to install the home theater system in a room where children play, then you may want the speakers to be attached to the wall so that they don't get in your way. On the other hand, if you have a separate home theater room, floorstanding speakers (or speakers on stands) are unlikely to pose a danger to pets or children.

Choose speakers that fit your room. Floor standing speakers ideal for large open spaces

Stand, wall or in-wall speakers are good for small spaces

Where will your speakers sound best?

Consider the layout and shape of your room. Where will the speakers look and sound best?

My speaker placement article provides detailed guidance on planning your sound system layout and may be helpful to you.

Compact speakers offer discreet placement options

Is your sound system going to your living room? First of all, you need to consider that here the TV and sound system should not always be in the spotlight. Compact speakers will easily fit into your interior and leave a lot of free space.

Wall mounted speakers are the safest for your movement

Wall and ceiling mounted bookshelf speakers are great options for immersive sound without taking up much space.

Get theatrical sound with floorstanders

If space isn't a big deal, you can use larger speakers. Using floorstanding speakers in your surround sound system helps replicate the cinema experience. Large acoustic chambers provide powerful surround sound effects, which is especially true for movies and video games. "Towers" (columns Tower), among other things, are ideal for listening to music in stereo.

Floorstanding speakers provide a more realistic soundstage at the front of your room

What role does each speaker play in a home theater system?

The home theater sound system consists of several different types of speakers. Understanding the role of each will help you choose the best options for your room.

Here are the main components of your surround sound system:

Center channel speaker plays dialogue and more

The center channel speaker is often considered the most important speaker in a sound system. It provides playback of more than 50% of movie soundtracks, including almost all dialogue. It also provides important sound effects in the center of the stage.

The center channel speaker must be well combined with other speakers. Compact speakers require a smaller center channel driver, while floor standing speakers need a large center speaker to match their increased power.

Consider where you will place your center channel speaker. If you have a special cabinet, make sure it fits in the space provided for it on the shelf.

The home theater center speaker is responsible for most movie soundtracks. Choose the one that suits both your room and the other speakers in your sound system

Left and right front speakers create a wide soundstage

The front left and right speakers play the movie soundtrack. They also handle most of the special effects. To pull you into the story more effectively, the sound moves between the front speakers in sync with the action unfolding on the screen. Floor-standing, bookshelf and wall-mounted speakers work well as such.

Surround speakers provide realistic special effects

Surround speakers are located next to and/or behind your seats. They immerse you in the movie by creating ambient sounds such as raindrops or rustling leaves.

The surround speakers also work with your other speakers to create impressive sound directional effects. Think of a locomotive passing by or a bullet flying past you.

5.1 channel sound systems use one pair of surround speakers placed next to or behind you. Sound systems that support 7.1-channel audio use speakers located at the back and both sides of the circle with the listeners in the center.

If you have a large room or multiple seating areas, consider a 7.1 channel system. In a 5.1 system, the surround speakers are best placed to the left and right of the listening positions install on stands or attach to the wall.

Which speakers should you use for your surround channels?

Many traditional bookshelf speakers or wall-mounted speakers can be used as surround channel speakers.

You might also consider specialized bipole/dipole speakers that have multiple drivers that produce sound waves in different directions. This creates a special, so-called. diffuse, sound field, which enhances the effect of sound wrapping.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X vertical effect speakers

Have you decided to build a Dolby Atmos® or DTS:X™ system? Then you will need a pair or two pairs of speakers to produce sound in the area above the listening position. You can use either in-ceiling speakers or vertical-firing speakers for this.

The Dolby Atmos system is used with a conventional 5.1 or 7.1 surround system, to which two or four vertical speakers (or speakers built into the ceiling) are added to create sound effects falling down on the listener

Which subwoofer size would you prefer?

Movie soundtracks are provided with a dedicated deep bass (low frequency) channel that is played through a powered subwoofer. The subwoofer is what recreates in your room the effect of exploding bombs and the roar of an airplane flying overhead.

Choose a subwoofer that fits well with your room and your speakers. As a general rule, the larger the subwoofer speaker, the deeper the bass.

Do you have a large room at your disposal? Then you should definitely upgrade to a subwoofer with a 12-inch or larger speaker.

Do you have a small room at your disposal? A compact subwoofer will sound great here. For more detailed recommendations, check out my article on choosing subwoofers for your home theater.

Most people place their subwoofers at the front of the room so they can be easily connected to a home theater receiver. If running the cable where your subwoofer sounds best is not practical, use a wireless subwoofer

Voice matching, which is optional

Each brand or series of speakers has its own tonal quality or "voice". To get an evenly balanced sound level throughout the room, I recommend using the same brand of speakers for all locations.

If you cannot match all the speakers together, try using the same brand of speakers for the front left, right and center locations. This will give you a complete front soundstage, i.e. ensure stable sound system performance.

Want hidden surround sound?

If you need a sound system with the smallest footprint, consider built-in, in-ceiling or wall-mounted speakers. Read my article on installing in-wall and ceiling speakers for more on what's involved.

Everything you need to get started

To get the best sound, you need to pair your new speaker system with a good home theater receiver. This guide will help you choose the right parts for your sound system.

Use dedicated speaker wires and subwoofer cables for connections. We also recommend that you secure the power supply to your receiver, TV, audio/video components and subwoofer.

Best Universal Home Theater Systems

Over the years I have developed dozens of surround sound systems. And the systems I custom made are great. And I'll let you in on a secret: you can get theater-quality sound by purchasing a pre-matched surround sound system. Here are a couple of my favorites.

  1. Klipsch Reference Theater Pack - the best surround sound system for small rooms

Klipsch Reference Theater Pack quickly gained popularity among buyers. The system does not take up much space, but it provides the sonic depth and sonic attack that you would only expect from large speakers. This is the perfect choice for small rooms with premium space.

Fantastically clear sound, compact yet powerful.

Adjustable subwoofer allows you to move from

Dynamic explosions to subtle vibrations

- Larry, Pottsboro, Texas

  1. Definitione ProCinema 800 - the best system of volumetric sound for the medium

Definitive Technology's ProCinema 800 is a powerful, dynamic system that offers surround sound without the need for floor standing speakers.

Why does she work so well? The answer is partly due to the use of passive radiators in each speaker. These drivers do not require power, they move by coupling with powerful woofers used to boost the mids and lows. The result is clear, powerful sound for music, movies and video game soundtracks.

This loudspeaker is the biggest blow to the price of a sound system I have ever seen.

Each speaker is very solid and eye-catching

- Bree, Montgomery, TX

Surround sound - the best solutions for home theaters Rusinstall

When we talk about home theater, what is more important: a huge screen or impressive sound ? Most people tend to prefer a huge screen to a bunch of boxes. In fact, it is the sound that immerses the viewer into the world of cinema.

The sound has a much greater impact than the image. Don't believe? Take the test: Watch the breathtaking lap of a Formula 1 race on a 100-inch projection screen and let the sound come from an iPod-connected coffee table speaker. And then watch the same race lap on a 50-inch flat-screen TV, but with a full-blown surround sound system complete with subwoofer. Which experience of the two will be more impressive? What kind of viewing will completely capture your attention and make your heart beat faster? If you say huge screen and small speaker, you should probably get your hearing tested.

It is worth noting that the surround sound system can be used not only in a home theater or living room. If you have a TV in your bedroom, you may have noticed that cable channels are switching to broadcasting their programs in 5.1 sound. And if you're tired of turning down the volume of music and turning up the volume of dialogue, a dedicated center channel with its own volume control will solve this problem. Plus, if your kids are into console games, multi-channel audio, which is essential to almost all modern games, allows you to immerse yourself in the action of the game.

Surround sound, although considered to be the prerogative of a home theater, can actually be used much more widely, almost anywhere where you have a TV.

Surround sound as simple as 1-2-3

1. Source: Blu-ray (UHD) player. A modern surround sound system consists of several basic elements. It all starts with the sound source device. Since not everyone watches TV, and there are a lot of cable and satellite TV sets, we will focus on music and cinema. For most people, this will mean having a Blu-ray (UHD) player. Many people know that Blu-ray players are compatible with DVD discs. But not everyone knows that some Blu-ray players can support DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD (SACD) discs. These are discs that allow you to store high-resolution multi-channel music. So it will not be superfluous to make sure that your player supports the function of playing such discs.

2. Audio/video receiver or preamplifier/processor. The next step to create a surround sound system is to connect your Blu-ray player to your AV receiver. Depending on the decoding capabilities of your Blu-Ray player and the quality of its D/A converter, the connection to the receiver is usually made using a high speed HDMI cable or 6-8 analog RCA audio cables. The more common HDMI method is used to send a bitstream digital signal to the receiver. The receiver then performs decoding. A multi-channel analog connection is usually used when the Blu-ray player has a better DAC than the receiver. In this case, the decoding task is assigned to the player, and the receiver is used for amplification and switching. The receiver is capable of many tasks, but its primary function in a surround sound system is to decode an input signal (such as a DTS-HD Blu-Ray movie soundtrack), provide amplification, and send the appropriate audio channel to each connected speaker or subwoofer. When choosing a receiver, you should pay special attention to what formats it can decode, whether it uses a high-quality DAC, and whether it can provide enough power with low distortion. Networking, auto-calibration, and a colorful user interface are all welcome additions. If sound quality is of the utmost importance to you, it may be worth ditching the receiver-amplifier combo in favor of mono components: a separate multi-channel receiver and a separate preamp-processor.

3. Loudspeakers. After connecting a receiver or multi-channel amplifier, the last step in creating a surround sound system is choosing a speaker system. Most TV shows and movies use at least 5.1 system audio. In the 5.1 soundtrack, the number "5" indicates the use of 5 channels (left, center, right, rear left and rear right), and the number "1" indicates the use of one low-frequency channel, a subwoofer designed to reproduce bass. The existing choice of speakers is vast, ranging from small satellites, wall-mounted or in-wall or ceiling-mounted speakers, to large floorstanders. Aesthetics and the space of a room often dictate the choice of speakers, but most music lovers will agree that freestanding speakers sound superior to all others.

How many channels to choose?

Many Blu-ray soundtracks go beyond the 5.1 system, delivering 6.1 and even 7.1 channel sound. Such soundtracks use one or two rear channels, which are located in the center of the back wall behind the listener. But the 7.1-channel system is not the limit. Dolby has introduced a new Pro Logic IIz format that adds a pair of high-frequency channels to the front soundstage, turning a 7.1-channel soundtrack into 9.1-channel. Not wanting to be left behind, DTS came out with its new Neo:X technology, an advanced algorithm capable of delivering 11.1 channels of sound. Then came Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, which support up to 32 channels. But even today, many movies, games and other content still have a 5. 1 soundtrack; and even the 7.1 system is not so common. Before you consider setting up a 9.1 or 11.1 system in your home, it's best to consider adding an additional subwoofer to even out the bass.

Tips for improving your surround sound system

Calibration. Use an inexpensive Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter and a home theater dial such as Disney's World of Wonder to properly set the level, size, position and distance of your speakers from the listener.

Size is . Tiny cube speakers may look pretty, but don't expect them to be able to move tons of air and deliver deep bass without the help of a good subwoofer.

Speaker matching . Speaker manufacturers use different approaches to achieve the unique sound signatures of their various lines and series. Various materials are used to build woofers and tweeters; some cases are square, others curved; crossovers can be connected in different ways.

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