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The experience of watching a movie or your favorite show on a system connected to a surround sound system is just amazing.
Hence, purchasing a worthy surround sound system is always recommended if you want a theater-like experience. Having said that, choosing the best surround system is complicated.
However, you need not worry about this, as we have enlisted some of the best surround sound systems to choose from. You can choose them based on the categories, budget, features, and other categories. While going through these, you will be able to decide on the kind of system you want.
15 Best Surround Sound System In 2022
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Definitive Technology Pro Cinema System
Product Dimensions: 24 x 16.8 x 19 inches.
Speaker Type: Satellite.
Positive: Easy To Place, BDSS Technology Drivers, High Impact Bass.
Negative: A Bit Expansive.
Suppose you’re looking for a big sound with minimal fuss. In that case, the Definitive Technology Pro Cinema System is perfect for you. It combines small, easy-to-place satellite speakers and pressure-coupled mid/bass radiators, giving a rich sound experience. The built-in 300-watt powered subwoofer includes two 8″ cone drivers that work together to deliver robust and punchy bass notes.
Not only this, but the Definitive Technology Pro Cinema System is also super simple to set up. The satellites and center speakers can be shelf or wall-mounted, depending on your preference. Special BDSS technology drivers ensure clear and high-quality sound for maximum enjoyment. If you are looking for a decent movie experience, this system will take any movie night to the next level.
Customer Review For Definitive Technology Pro Cinema System
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Polk Audio Home Theater System
Speaker Type: Surround Sound, Subwoofer, Multi-Room, Bookshelf, Center Channel.
Positive: Dynamic Balance Technology, Compatible With Most Home Theaters, Three-dimensional Surround Sound.
Negative: A Bit Expansive.
With five speakers and a subwoofer, Polk Audio Home Theater System provides excellent audio production for maximum clarity and power. The five main surround speakers each feature a 5.25″ driver and 0.75″ tweeter, creating an unbeatable two-channel stereo sound with incredible depth. The center speaker includes two 5.25″ drivers and a 1″ tweeter that adds extra detail to dialogue while ensuring crystal-clear audio throughout the room.
These features are amplified further by Polk’s proprietary dynamic balance technology that ensures optimal sound dispersal with minimal distortion, providing the perfect audio experience no matter where you are in the room. So whether you’re using their 5-channel system as is or planning to add another two channels to set up a multi-room system with 7.0, 7.1, 9.0, or more channels, it is easy to upgrade, and you will be able to customize it according to your needs in no time.
Customer Review For Polk Audio Home Theater System
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JBL Bar 2.1 Channel Soundbar
Product Dimensions: 11.03 x 14.49 x 40.67 inches.
Speaker Type: Soundbar.
Positive: Deep And Rich Bass, Easily Operates With Bluetooth, Works With Tv Remote Control.
Negative: Difficult To Install.
The JBL Bar 2.1 channel soundbar could be the perfect way to upgrade your sound system with fantastic clarity at a reasonable price. It comes with 300w; as a result, you can experience rich and deep bass from the 6.5″ wireless subwoofer for your home’s ultimate immersive listening experience.
Plus, you won’t need to worry about switching back and forth between multiple devices to enjoy music, as this superb soundbar has Bluetooth-enabled technology; hence, you will be able to connect multiple devices. Also, with its integration with your existing TV remote control, you will find it easier to enjoy your favorite tunes no matter where you’re seated.
Customer Review For JBL Bar 2.1 Channel Soundbar
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Polk Audio Signa TV Sound Bar
Product Dimensions: 3.22 x 35.43 x 2.15 inches.
Speaker Type: Soundbar, Subwoofer.
Positive: Ultra-slim Sound Bar, 5-powerful Full Range Drivers, Deep Bass.
Negative: Very Loud.
The Polk Audio Signa TV Sound Bar could be the perfect accessory to give any space a cinema-like sound experience. With five powerful full-range drivers, it offers beautiful rich sound with deep bass and precise speech levels. In addition, its exclusive voice adjusts technology and Dolby digital decoding ensure maximum sound clarity and the reduction of voice delays.
Furthermore, it includes built-in Bluetooth technology that makes hooking it up with any device a piece of cake. At just over 2″ tall, this soundbar fits any space, plus you can wall-mount or place it in front of your television. Not to miss, It boasts numerous connection possibilities, such as HDMI ARC, optical input, and AUX jack, so you can plug in any audio source you desire!
Customer Review For Polk Audio Signa TV Sound Bar
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Polk Audio MagniFi Home Theater
Product Dimensions: 3.78 x 43.01 x 2.09 inches.
Speaker Type: Subwoofer.
Positive: Includes 7 Powerful Drivers, Two Wireless Speakers, Independently Control Voice Levels.
Negative: Design Needs Improvement.
With seven powerful drivers and tweeters producing crystal clear sound, it easily outshines traditional sound bars. However, the best thing about Polk Audio MagniFi Home Theater is its versatility. This is because the wireless subwoofer and two wireless speakers can automatically be set up in moments and recognized by the soundbar.
This also comes with 3 HDMI inputs, fully HDCP 2.2 compliant, so you can ensure high-quality playback from your Blu-ray players and set-top boxes. In addition, an optical port is available for further connection of non-digital devices and auxiliary analog input for any device without a digital interface.
To add more to the functionality of this system, you might want to know that it also has Bluetooth, USB, and internet connectivity as a part of the overall package. Users claim that it is perfect for streaming music wirelessly anywhere you want throughout your home via google Chromecast on compatible android devices.
Customer Review For Polk Audio MagniFi Home Theater
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Sony SSCSE Dolby Speakers
Product Dimensions: 14.16 x 11.56 x 40.12 inches.
Speaker Type: Surround.
Positive: Provide Extra Dimensions, Requires No Mounting, and Includes 4” Mica Reinforced Cellular.
Negative: The subwoofer Is Week.
Sony’s SSCSE Dolby Speakers bring a new audio quality to your home theater set-up. They provide superior sound with their 4″ mica-reinforced cellular woofers, and these speakers also come with various convenient features. For example, you can easily place the speakers on top of the Sony SSCS3 floor-standing speakers or Sony SSCS5 bookshelf speakers. Adding more to their effectiveness as versatile speakers, with the help of their perfectly angled design, you can hang them up on the wall and use them as surround speakers.
Furthermore, with a maximum input power of 100 W, these speakers provide superior audio performance and clarity compared to the competition. Also, they utilize the latest technology, like Dolby digital surround sound, to ensure users get an even more immersive soundscape.
Customer Review For Sony SSCSE Dolby Speakers
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Yamaha YHT-4950U Home Theater
Product Dimensions: 23 x 22 x 18 inches.
Speaker Type: Subwoofer.
Positive: Provide Wireless Functioning, Easy To Set-up, and Includes Virtual Cinema Front.
Negative: Stopped Working.
Using a home theater just got easier with the Yamaha YHT-4950U. When it comes to features, this package includes an AV receiver, five speakers, a subwoofer, and even a speaker wire to get you up and running in no time. Bluetooth connectivity lets you stream your music and podcast libraries effortlessly.
Furthermore, integrated Yamaha YPAO room optimization helps ensure your sound is dialed in for whatever space it’s placed in. With its flexible speaker placement options, including a virtual cinema front, this home theater system provides the ultimate audiovisual experience for any viewing space.
Customer Review For Yamaha YHT-4950U Home Theater
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Acoustic Audio by Goldwood Home Theater
Product Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 4 inches.
Speaker Type: Outdoor, Woofer.
Positive: Poly Cone Design Woofers, Easy To Install, 3-way Sound.
Negative: Weak Construction Quality.
Acoustic Audio by Goldwood has created the perfect home theater speakers to suit audio needs. The sound dispersion design ensures a robust, high-fidelity performance with clear highs and lows. It has 8″ poly cone woofers, poly mica midranges, and 13mm tweeters for maximum sound quality. In addition, each speaker features a pressure lock mounting system to clamp tightly to the drywall for even stronger audio output.
Its durable ABS grills can be easily painted to match your home decor seamlessly. The set includes five powerful speakers, removable grills, and cut-out templates to get everything hooked up. With the product box, you will receive an instruction manual with comprehensive instructions and safety precautions to ensure this product is used safely and correctly.
Customer Review For Acoustic Audio by Goldwood Home Theater
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Onkyo HT-S3900 Home Theater
Product Dimensions: 9 x 17.2 x 7 inches.
Speaker Type: Woofer.
Positive: High-quality 6 Speakers, Connect Through Bluetooth, Includes Six-channel Analog Amplifiers.
Negative: The Receiver Stopped Working.
With the Onkyo HT-S3900 home theater, you get superior sound quality with discrete output stage circuitry and six-channel analog amplifiers. In addition, the HDMI 4 in/ 1 out pass-through of the latest Ultra HD 4K/60 Hz video formats with HDR and HDCP 2.2 content protection allows you to enjoy an immersive experience.
Your audio library is also widened by Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD master audio decoding capabilities. Plus, you will have the option to conveniently stream your music via Bluetooth wireless with Qualcomm apt audio. To enlist more features, you might want to note that it comes with a high-quality six-piece surround-sound speakers system so you can enjoy crystal-clear audio in an immersive environment.
Customer Review For Onkyo HT-S3900 Home Theater
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Klipsch Black Reference Theater Sound System
Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 13.3 inches.
Speaker Type: Woofer, Subwoofer, Tweeter.
Positive: Delivers Acoustic Performance, Including Tractrix Horn technology, Deliver Room-filling Low Frequencies.
Negative: Doesn’t Include Necessary Reciever.
The Klipsch Black Reference Theater Sound System is designed to deliver an unbeatable acoustic performance without taking up too much space. Tractrix Horn technology and aluminium tweeters will ensure you hear natural sounds with excellent clarity. Its wireless subwoofer delivers crystal-clear low frequencies.
For convenience, the satellite speakers are designed for maximum mounting flexibility, with both keyhole mount and threaded insert options available. You can say that people at Klipsch have designed system with incredible sound quality that provides amazing experience.
Customer Review For Klipsch Black Reference Theater Sound System
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VIZIO M-Series Sound Bar
Product Dimensions: 35.98 x 3.54 x 2.24 inches.
Speaker Type: Soundbar, Subwoofer, Tweeter.
Positive: 2-way Speaker Design, 3d Surround Sound, 2 Upfiring Speakers.
Negative: Intermittent Connection Issues.
Suppose you want to experience dynamic, immersive sound that rivals a theater setting. In that case, you can consider the VIZIO M-Series sound bar. This unique sound system comes with separate tweeters and woofers that provide fuller, more precise, and more powerful audio. You can get Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content to have accurate overhead sound reflections off the ceiling.
Additionally, this product has an impressive 103dB sound pressure level and 45Hz – 20kHz frequency range, allowing for superior volume and consistent clarity in whatever you choose. With deep bass and detailed treble, every beat will come through crisp and clear – allowing you to enjoy your music or movie with true high-fidelity quality.
Customer Review For VIZIO M-Series Sound Bar
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Roku Streambar Media Player
Product Dimensions: 14 x 4.2 x 2.4 inches.
Speaker Type: Streambar.
Positive: Includes Built-in 4K Streaming, Simple Sound Settings, Easy To Setup.
Negative: Doesn’t Sound Well.
The Roku Streambar Media Player features Dolby audio calibrated for enhanced volume and crisp dialogue, giving you a sound beyond the device’s size. As a result, your TV will sound better powered by advanced audio engineering while providing unbeatable value.
Setting up the Streambar is simple. All you need to do is plug it into your television and connect to the internet to access your favorite channels and streaming platforms. Unlock the power of sound with this fantastic media player’s capabilities and enjoy an exceptional audio experience like no other.
Customer Review For Roku Streambar Media Player
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ELAC Debut Bookshelf Speakers
Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.7 x 14.8 inches.
Speaker Type: Bookshelf.
Positive: Wide-dispersion Waveguide, Woven Aramid-fiber Woofer, Newly Developed Tweeter.
Negative: Poor Customer Service.
The newly designed ELAC Debut Bookshelf Speakers are set to revolutionize the audio market, providing listeners with an unparalleled listening experience. With the incorporation of a new tweeter featuring an impressive wide-dispersion waveguide design and a Woven aramid-fiber woofer, these speakers offer unbeatable clarity without sacrificing power.
Additionally, with custom-engineered cabinets, you will install them quickly, and these cabinets will further increase the quality of sound delivery. The frequency response is also remarkable – from 44Hz up to 35000Hz. Again, these set a new benchmark for excellence in sound production.
Customer Review For ELAC Debut Bookshelf Speakers
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SENNHEISER AMBEO Soundbar
Product Dimensions: 49.8 x 6.73 x 5.31 inches.
Speaker Type: Soundbar.
Positive: Delivers 3D Surround Sound, Includes Built-in Equalizer, Five Dedicated Tweeters.
Negative: Poor Quality.
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar all-in-one soundbar offers full-immersive 5.1.4 channel 3D High-Quality sound – deep down to 30Hz bass, and you won’t need an additional subwoofer. With advanced room calibration and Fraunhofer virtualization sound bar technology, the audio performance is adjusted expertly to your living environment. Not to miss, it has a built-in equalizer and three customized Ambeo 3D Technology modes, ensuring you get the best out of your home audio system.
It boasts wireless streaming capabilities, compatible with most devices using built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Five precisely positioned tweeters give a studio-grade experience that can’t be beaten; voices are reproduced with absolute precision giving you incredible realism as if they were right there in front of you.
Customer Review For SENNHEISER AMBEO Soundbar
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Nakamichi Shockwafe Sound System
Product Dimensions: 3 x 45.5 x 3.6 inches.
Speaker Type: Subwoofer.
Positive: Includes Four 2-way Rear Speakers, Features SSE Technology, and Provide Dual 10″ Wireless Subwoofers.
Negative: Doesn’t Work Properly.
The Nakamichi Shockwafe sound system is one of the most advanced and revolutionary sound systems available to the public. It’s dual 10″ wireless subwoofers create a level of ground-shaking bass that will keep your pulse racing and make your home feel like an action movie.
In most cases, it requires only 30 minutes of setupcases, making it easy to give your living room cinema-level acoustics with just a few simple steps. In addition, the four 2-way rear speakers add to the professional sound level by creating a dynamic atmosphere that results in pure surround sound clarity.
This system has advanced tweeter technology that reproduces high frequencies with clarity and power as no other system can. At the same time, the full-range speaker driver gives you precision surround effects that will leave you breathless. But that’s not all; you also get to experience the sounds in their original form with the help of SSE technology. Not to miss, three interlinked audio processing engines bring a directional feel, great expansiveness, and extra detail to any soundtrack.
Customer Review For Nakamichi Shockwafe Sound System
Categories Of A Surround Sound System
Since you are reading this, I can make out that you are worried about the type of surround sound system you wish to get your hands on.
Your primary issue could be a financial one. Your budget will be directly proportional to the number of devices you could add to your surround sound system.
The secondary concern could be the maximum amount of space left. This is also one of the main concerns that you might want to address when you want to set up a surround sound system.
You need not panic since you will find the exact solution to your issues in the below points.
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Affordable
If you are looking for an affordable bare minimum setup, you could easily go with JBL Bar 2.1, which comes with a sound bar and a wireless subwoofer. In the same sequence, the second option is the VIZIO M Series sound bar, which comes with a subwoofer with Bluetooth capabilities.
These two can provide you with immersive sound and give you a surround sound experience. On the other hand, if I talk about another type of system, a home theater in a box system could also provide you with a basic, affordable, and easy solution for your surround sound experience.
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Decent Performance
If you want a decent performance with a decent budget, you could go for a basic 5.1 system. The basic system will give you decent performance as it will have a five-speaker system and a woofer to mix things up.
You can also go for multiple soundbars. Doing so will also give you a decent surround sound experience.
Furthermore, you could get a soundbar that has detachable speakers or a soundbar that has the option to have an extra subwoofer attached to it.
All these combinations will give you the surround sound experience you have longed for. As a result, you will be able to get a decent sound experience in terms of surround sound.
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Best Performance
The sky is the limit when it comes to the best performance system in surround sound. This is because you could go for a home theater system which could give you a great surround sound experience.
Another option in the category would be the home theater based on AV Components, allowing you to customize the whole system according to your needs.
You can attach several speakers, woofers, and sub-woofers per your taste and needs.
How To Choose A Surround Sound System?
It would help if you made several considerations before choosing the best surround sound system for your house.
First of all, you need to ask yourself what will be the primary usage of the surround sound system. For example, would that be used for a television or a music-based sound system, or will it be used as a Vinyl speaker system?
Once you have a clear idea about some of these things, you can move further with other pointers listed below.
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Type
Various kinds of surround sound systems are available in the market and at online stores, ranging from all-in-one surround systems to modern soundbars or sound speaker packages.
They could be easier to install, but certain types of surround systems could deliver some trouble and are complex to set up at home.
- Soundbars: These have built-in speakers and are compact, and by adding subwoofers and rear speakers, you can experience surround sound without taking up much of your space.
- Pre-packaged home theater systems: They are easier to set up and could come with the cables and mounting accessories required to attach the home theater to the TV.
- Home theater with separate components: Additional components could cost you a bomb, but it could be worth it as you may be able to customize it as per your needs and likings, and you could set up making use of your space available.
- Wireless home theaters: Wireless home theaters have their perks as they can be easily installed without buying additional mounters or wall drilling. They could be moved throughout the room and accessed from anywhere in your house, just by a simple tap on your tablets.
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Features
Another point to consider is the type of features that any surround sound system could comprise, as each has its distinct attributes-
- Compact
- flexible
- Easy to install
- The detailed and cinematic experience
- Style
The features could include a stellar surround sound that could make you experience the movies along with minute details and sounds with crystal clear quality.
Other features like its compatibility with various other music-listening or video-watching platforms, its ability to connect to Bluetooth, and the quality of sound to be delivered without losing out on the audio experience.
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Speakers
Another way to check for the best surround sound systems is to look for the type of speakers required for setting it up at your home.
Two-in-one, along with a sub-woofer or a 3-in-1 with a center speaker, could be installed, but there could also be an option of setting up full-fledged 3-D surround system speakers.
On the other hand, a center speaker could help enhance the audio-listening experience as it could make it to listen to the movie dialogues or intense music effects with more squeaky-clean clarity.
The surround sound systems could have separate surround speakers installed in the room, whereas soundbars might be available in-built with them.
You can also choose soundbars with a sub-woofer or a detachable speaker for better surround sound. Having said that, if you have speakers on wheels at your home, you could also use them as a part of your surround sound setup.
How Much Does A Surround Sound System Cost?
A premium quality surround sound system may try to work by delivering audio through arrangements of speakers around the space where the system is installed.
The price range of a surround sound system could depend on its user-friendliness, design, and performance-
Top-quality surround sound system: A top-quality surround sound speaker system could cost anywhere between $4000 to $6000, along with a 7.1 surround sound with seven speakers, a receiver amplifier, and other added setup components.
High-end surround sound system: For a high-end surround system that may have a central console and other audio requirements that would have a 5.1 surround sound and other exciting features.
A price range between $700-$1500 consists of various surround system models that could provide a modest-quality audio experience and a 5.1 surround sound experience.
This price range, however, could have the option to choose between higher-end models and modest version models, depending on your need, choice, or space available in your room.
Once you have purchased the surround system for your needs, the next issue is the installation’s cost, which could raise some eyebrows.
The cost of installing a surround system could rely on several factors, including the number of rooms you wish to install that surround system, which could cost you between $400-$600 for every room.
It may also depend on the type of connectivity you want, whether you want a wireless connection or prefer a prime and higher standard wired installation that might cost you around 75$ per wire.
Do You Need A Reciever For A Surround Sound System?
For a classic and old-school surround sound setup, it could be essential to have a receiver along with several speakers involved in it.
The receiver manages the connection through which the audio-video signals are managed seamlessly to deliver clear sound.
Without a receiver, the components in a traditional setup might find it hard to function without any disturbance.
On the other hand, with modern surround sound systems like soundbars or wireless surround systems, you might not require a receiver.
Having said all that, you might want to note that if you want complete control over the surround sound system, it is better to have a receiver.
Having a receiver will also give you the flexibility to scale your system.
FAQs
Initially developed for usage in movie theaters, surround sound is a technique to improve the audio listening experience through several channels and speakers. It is currently employed all over the world in a variety of settings. Simply put, the music or audio comes from all around the room rather than just the front in a 360-degree arrangement.
You may need a left and a right speaker, surround speakers, subwoofers, central channel speakers, a receiver for traditional surround sound systems, and various extra parts for a surround sound system.
No, surround sound systems are far more significant than soundbars. A surround sound system can contain up to 5 speakers and a subwoofer, which sets it apart from a soundbar because soundbars are smaller and have no more than three components. There are a few soundbars that have detachable speakers and also have the option to add a subwoofer.
Setting up a 5-1 surround channel could improve the surround sound experience, while upgrading to a 7-1 channel would magnify and possibly improve the audio listening experience.
An AV or audio-visual receiver, which can assist in receiving audio and video information from multiple sources, is needed to handle more than two audio channels. Modern surround sound systems may be able to utilize HDMI ARC and do not require AV to manage separate audio or video channels.
Conclusion
Going to a movie theater could be a thing of the past if you have a good surround sound system. You can organize movie evenings or watch your favorite sporting events without leaving your living room.
For a decent and faultless surround sound experience, you will not have to worry about purchasing different pieces, which would make installation a real hassle.
Since you have read the buying guide, which contains various information about surround sound systems, I can expect that you will be able to decide which one is best for you.