The Best Rated Surround Sound System For 2024

Nicolas Ward By, Nicolas Ward
Updated
Sony 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Multimedia Home Theater Speaker Bundle
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: Sony 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Multimedia Home Theater Speaker Bundle

Upgrade your home theater system with this Sony 5.1-channel surround sound multimedia speaker bundle. The bundle includes a Sony SSCS8 2-Way 3-Driver Center Channel Speaker, a Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System, and a Sony 10-Inch Active Subwoofer. The speakers are designed to reduce vibration for maximum performance. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Polk Audio T Series 3 Channel Home Theater Bundle

The T Series 3 Home Theater Bundle is the ultimate addition to your home theater. It includes a center channel speaker, two towers and subwoofer, all of which are made with Polk’s proprietary Dynamic Balance technology. This bundle will give you thundering bass and three-dimensional surround sound that will make every movie or TV show feel like you’re right in the action. Read Review

3. Best Compatible: Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack

Bring the Klipsch sound into your home with the new Klipsch Black Reference Theatre Pack. The pack includes two satellite speakers and a wireless subwoofer, which is easy to place as it has a keyhole mount and threaded insert. This pack brings the Klipsch cinematic sound into your home with an incredibly minimal footprint. Read Review

4. Best Performance: SAMSUNG 3.1ch A650 A Series Soundbar - Dolby 5.1/ DTS Virtual: X (HW-A650, 2021 Model)

Samsung Dolby Digital 5.1/DTS Virtual: X soundbar is the ultimate audio companion for your TV. This 3.1ch soundbar system has four HDMI inputs that support HDCP 2.2, ARC, 4K and HDR pass-through, a wireless subwoofer and a built-in Dolby Atmos decoder to provide the most immersive surround sound experience possible. Read Review

Surround sound systems are a convenient way to listen to music and movies. They come with multiple speakers that give you an immersive listening experience. However, most home theater systems fall short in terms of quality and performance. This is because most of them have a substandard built-in amplifier, which is the most important part of any surround sound system. A good amp can make or break the performance of your system. With that being said, we bring you the Best rated surround sound system in the market today.

Read on to find out more about these products and their key features before buying one for yourself with our top choices such as Sony 5.1-Channel Surround Sound Multimedia Home Theater Speaker Bundle and Polk Audio T Series 3 Channel Home Theater Bundle.

Our Top Picks

  • 145W Peak Power: Equipped with two 4-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter, the Sony SS-CS8 2-Way 3-Driver Center Channel Speaker handles 145W of peak power
  • Bundle Includes: Sony SSCS8 2-Way 3-Driver Center Channel Speaker (Black), Sony SSCS5 3-Way 3-Driver Bookshelf Speaker System (Black) and Sony 10-Inch Active Subwoofer (Black)
  • Optimized Crossover Component: The crossover network in the SS-CS8 is intended to assure minimal signal loss for an energetic vocal response with even the most delicate nuances. It is mounted directly to the cabinet for vibration isolation
  • Mica-Reinforced Drivers: The SS-CS8 utilizes foamed, dual-layer mica woofer diaphragms - the upper surface is fashioned to deliver supple and faithful sound quality, while the bottom layer is designed to leverage low weight with strength for a powerful bass response
  • Reduced Vibration: Four rubber foot pads are included to isolate the speakers from your shelf, so as to reduce shelf vibration
TOP Choice #2 Polk Audio T Series 3 Channel Home Theater Bundle
Our Score:
9.6
Polk Audio
  • All speakers, including the sub, are equipped with POLK’S PROPRIETARY DYNAMIC BALANCE TECHNOLOGY with wider dispersion & minimal distortions so every listener in the room hears UNSURPASSED THREE-DIMENSIONAL SURROUND SOUND WITH HEART-THUMPING BASS
  • POLK'S UNMATCHED QUALITY AT AN AFFORDABLE PRICE. With these value-priced speakers, you can now enjoy premium acoustics, high quality construction, easy setup and a spectacular theater experience right at home
  • Polk speakers are COMPATIBLE WITH MOST HOME THEATER AV RECEIVERS giving you many setup options. Use this 3.1 channel system as is or upgrade to an immersive multi-room setup with 5.1, 7.1, 9.1 or more channels
  • MASSIVE SOUND FROM 11 SPEAKERS – The center channel speaker features (2) 5.25” drivers & a 1” tweeter, and each tower has a 6.5” driver, 1” tweeter & (2) 6.5” Bass Radiators that produce a well-balanced, room-filling sound
TOP Choice #3 Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack
Our Score:
9.4
Klipsch
  • To complement the easy placement of the wireless subwoofer, each satellite speaker has a keyhole mount and a threaded insert for maximum mounting flexibility
  • Klipsch's exclusive Tractrix Horn technology and aluminum Tweeters deliver the cleanest, most natural sound possible. The down-firing wireless subwoofer is designed to deliver room-filling low frequencies without requiring too much floor space
  • The reference theater pack brings the Klipsch cinematic sound into your home with an incredibly minimal footprint
  • The Klipsch reference theater pack delivers a superior acoustic performance while keeping an incredibly minimal footprint
  • SUBWOOFER INCLUDED - Wireless subwoofer included.
  • BASS BOOST - Instantly amplify the bass with the touch of a button.
  • ADAPTIVE SOUND LITE - Optimizes sound to video content.
  • DOLBY DIGITAL 5.1 / DTS VIRTUAL:X - Immersive surround sound simulation that draws you in.
  • COMMON SOLUTIONS PER ISSUE: Disconnects from tv -- Replace the cable. Rear speakers keeps dropping -- Update the software Can't connect to my tv -- Replace the cable. No sound -- TV sees sound bar but no sound This can happen when connected to other Manufacturer’s TV. Solution is to set the Digital Sound Out to “Auto” (not “Pass-Through”) on their TV menu. Subwoofer stopped working. -- Likely due to interference. Move the subwoofer closer, then run ID SET again (wireless speaker linking process)
  • BUILT-IN CENTER SPEAKER - A dedicated speaker enhances dialogue so you hear every word
  • Thrilling bass from a 10 Inch (250mm) wireless subwoofer
  • Power Source Type: Battery Powered
  • Detachable, battery-powered wireless surround speakers
  • Wireless music streaming with Bluetooth
  • True 4K connectivity with 3 HDMI in/1 HDMI out (ARC)
  • JBL 5.1 surround sound with 510W of power
  • COMPLETE SYSTEM: All-in-one ready to use home theater system right out of the box. All you need to do is connect the appropriate cables and power it up!
  • RGB LIGHTS: The RGB lighting system will pulse to the beat or slowly change between colors while in use.
  • MEDIA INPUTS: There are additional ports to access your media using the USB thumb drive and an SD card slot.
  • POWERFUL SOUND: This 5.1 surround sound system with 15 watts per channel and 50 watts for the subwoofer/receiver delivering a total of 125 watts!
  • BLUETOOTH FEATURE: Bluetooth connectivity for a more versatile experience, you can connect with most Bluetooth devices to stream wireless.
7 Rockville HTS56 Home Theater
Our Score:
8.8
Rockville
  • 2x 3” Full Range Front Channel Speakers. 2x 3” Full Range Rear Channel Speakers. Top Quality MDF Wood Cabinets with Plastic Front Panels. Built-In FM Receiver with Amazing Reception. Built-In Optical input to connect to your Television. Digital Display. Selectable preset equalizer curves.
  • You can independently control the volume of each speaker and the subwoofer. Bluetooth v2.1. USB Input (max file size 16Gb). SD Input (max file size 16Gb). 2 ¼” MIC Inputs with Echo function for karaoke. 5 RCA Audio Outputs. 6 RCA DVD Audio Inputs. 2 RCA AUX Inputs.
  • Zero distortion can be heard even with volume and bass settings all the way up! The sound on this system is better than anything even that cost twice the price!. Cable Length: Front L/F: 12Ft, Rear L/R: 30Ft, Center: 10Ft. Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz. Certification: CE and RoHS Compliant. Signal to noise ratio: ≥70dB (Maximum output with THD+N < 1%)
  • HTS56 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with LED Light Effects. Plug and play system with everything you need right out of the box. 1000-Watts Peak Power. 500-Watts Program Power. 250-Watts Continuous RMS Power. 8” Subwoofer with Built-In Receiver. 1x 3” Center Channel Speaker.
  • Optical input to connect to your TV. FM Antenna Input. Full Function Remote. The Subwoofer unit has 4 LED lighting modes: (blink to the beat, solid on, spectrum EQ analyzer, off) and selectable with 7 colors or multi-color mode.
  • Theater Solutions TS212 Bluetooth 2.1 multimedia home speaker system with built in audio amplifier, USB / SD, power rated at 300 watts system power, frequency response is 40Hz-20 kHz
  • 1 subwoofer speaker (H x W x D): 10.5" x 7" x 10", 2 Pieces full range satellite speakers (H x W x D): 6" x 3.75" x 3.5" each
  • Plug and play connections, satellite speakers have 6' single RCA cable, 3.5mm aux to RCA wire included
  • Applications include home entertainment Television system, laptop or PC, DVD player, gaming, MP3 player, cell phone, tablet or any other device with a 3.5mm headphone output or RCA Audio output
  • USB/SD card Reader, rear treble and bass controls, ultimate bass boost design, digitally designed port for extra bass, full function remote control, Computerized enclosure design
  • QUICKLY AND EASILY SETUP THE SOUNDBAR SYSTEM IN MINUTES using the Google Home app on your Android or iOS devices
  • EXPERIENCE IMMERSIVE SURROUND SOUND WITH POLK's PATENTED SDA AUDIO TECHNOLOGY and 5.1 Dolby Digital and DTS decoding that creates an expansive surroundstage and detailed stereo image delivering an incredible room-filling listening experience, which is comparable to what you would experience in a concert or theater
  • BIGGER, MORE DYNAMIC SOUND - Packed inside this slim and sleek sound bar 7 powerful drivers and tweeters produce exceptionally clear sound, more superior than any traditional sound bar
  • WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC with GOOGLE CHROMECAST from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible Android devices for a multi-room system. You can now cast your favorite music tracks to your sound bar and enjoy unlimited playback using services like Pandora, Spotify and others. Connect to a host of smart devices, TV, speakers and enjoy high-quality sound instantly
  • ENDLESS CONNECTION OPTIONS - 3 HDMI Inputs (HDCP 2.2 compliant), 1 HDMI-ARC output for connecting your smart TV and other devices, an Optical port for Blu-Ray players and set-top box, and an Auxiliary Analog input for connecting any non-digital device with a 3.5 mm pin. In addition, you can connect a multitude of devices using Bluetooth, USB and Internet
  • Polk's exclusive Voice Adjust Technology even lets you INDEPENDENTLY CONTROL VOICE LEVELS maximizing sound clarity and minimizing voice delays and muzzled sounds. Equipped with INDEPENDENT MODES FOR MOVIES, MUSIC, AND SPORTS, it delivers balanced sound clarity so that you hear every word, making your movie, sports and music experience exquisite
  • Includes powerful PLUG-AND-PLAY WIRELESS SUBWOOFER that is instantly recognized by the sound bar the moment you power it on. An 8" DOWNWARD FIRING DRIVER fills your living room, bedroom, or media room with high-impact multi-dimensional surround sound
10 Denon AVR-S540BT Receiver
Our Score:
8.3
Denon
  • OUR EASY ON-SCREEN SETUP ASSISTANT walks you through clear simple instructions to connect your TV, specific EQ settings and helps you optimize your surround sound
  • MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 4K UHD TV – At 140W per channel, the Denon AVR-S540BT receiver delivers exceptional brightness and contrast, and supports HLG, HDR, BT.2020, Wide Color Gamut and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling for realistic display and immersive sound
  • With its 100-year legacy and Japanese precision technology, Denon AV Receiver S540BT DELIVERS MULTI-DIMENSIONAL SURROUND SOUND with 5.2 channel compatibility and SUPPORTS 4K ULTRA HD PICTURE QUALITY, perfect for your home theater and entertainment system
  • YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC AT YOUR FINGERTIPS - With built-in Bluetooth, play music from eight different devices, and create an integrated multi-room audio system with Denon HEOS LINK. Allows wireless music streaming from Spotify, TIDAL, Pandora and more
  • CONVENIENT CONTROL - Connect the AVR with your Smart TV Remote and access all your speaker sources and surround mode selections using just one remote, or download the Denon 500 Series Remote App for iOS and Android and control the AVR through your phone
  • FOUR QUICK SELECT BUTTONS ON THE FRONT PANEL help you store your preferred audio settings for television, Blu-Ray, and more, and allows you to switch between them quickly
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To Choose The best rated surround sound system, What Criteria Do You Need To Study Before?

Almost all buyers are anxious about getting best rated surround sound system. Whenever creating multiple purchases, various issues need to be resolved. Our market expertise will give you help to make the best shopping selection.

Please consider the following factors before selecting best rated surround sound system:

Surround Sound Technology

You can select a receiver that has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X built-in. A dedicated Phono input is another important feature that you may want to include on your receiver. The input provides better sound quality than integrated circuits or computer chips and can be used to improve dynamics, sound depth, and detail. It's an excellent feature for electronics, even if your receiver doesn't come with a phonograph.

Power

The watts denotes the total power output of an amplifier. It is essential that the receiver you choose is strong enough to provide enough power for your speakers. For optimal performance, an A/V receiver should deliver at least 100 W to each channel. Impedance is another term that describes the speaker's performance and amplifier. Speakers are usually rated between 6 and 8 Ohms. Home theatre systems require that the speakers and amplifier be properly paired by their manufacturer.

Channels

The number and type of speakers that you want to connect will determine the channel count. The size of your space may also play a role in this decision.
Home theatre systems that are receiver-based can be purchased in many channels. These channels include 5.1, 7.1.1, and 9.1. This number indicates the total number of speakers and subwoofers in the system.

Apps And Connectivity

You want your receiver to have the ability to use apps such as Spotify, Google Cast or Apple Airplay. Many options are available with this feature, as well as many that will connect to Internet radio stations to stream your radio.
You can also control the receivers via compatible apps. This allows you to adjust settings and switch between different content from your smartphone.

Number And Type Of Connections

What number of HDMI-connected devices can you connect? Multiple HDMI and optical connections are available on many receivers so that you can connect your television to streaming boxes, gaming consoles, cable boxes or other HDMI-connected devices. Your receiver can be used to switch between different applications. Make sure it can support all your devices. A receiver can have 4 to 10 HDMI connections.

Wireless Vs. Wired

It is often easy to decide whether you want cords or cables. The main concern will be whether it is easy to hide or place the cables connecting to your home theater.
Wireless speaker systems are popular because they're easy to install. Wireless systems can be moved around easily and used in different locations. You can also use the wireless speakers outdoors, such as on your patio.

Smart Features

You should consider receivers that have voice control. Receivers that support Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are available.

FAQs

How Big A Screen Should I Get?

For many, this may be the most important question. For a true cinema experience, a large screen is essential. It all depends on how you want to seat and what size the space is. In medium-sized theatres, 120 inches is the most common screen size. A minimum distance for a screen that large is around 10 feet. For every foot of screen size, the average seating distance is between 10 and 12 inches. Some people prefer to be closer in order to get the best experience. Others don't like being as close. This can be achieved in multi-row seating arrangements - maybe the children will prefer the front row.

Can I Use A Flat-screen TV For The Display?

It is possible, it may be suitable for small spaces. If you decide to go this route, an OLED set of high quality from LG is a great choice. OLED panels are perfect for film because they have excellent color reproduction and great black levels. OLED panels are larger than other projectors and measure 88 inches in height. You should also consider that black bars can reduce screen real estate when you view 21:9 wide format film, which is a popular format used for theatrical releases.

What Wattage Should I Get For My Home Theater System?

Performance is just like performance in cars. The more horsepower you have, the bigger and better your theater will sound. It will sound even louder if you crank it up. It is strange but true that a louder theater can actually produce more goosebumps at lower volume levels.
You should ensure that you use the recommended minimum power for the speakers. A doubling in power is required to hear volume changes up to three decibels. This means that you have 70 watts of power per channel and you desire a significantly higher sound level. You'd need 140 Watts to do this.

How Do You Make Your Rear Speakers Wireless?

Although you can add wired speakers to your rear using a wireless adapter, it is still not ideal. Some manufacturers offer wireless surround speaker systems that can be used wirelessly if necessary.

What Is The Best Speaker Setup?

A surround sound system consists of two speakers at the front and two speakers in the center. Two surround speakers are located behind your viewer. One subwoofer is included. Two speakers can be added to either side of the viewer in a seven-speaker setup. For larger rooms there are nine-speaker systems. These have two speakers next to the viewer on either side. There are also additional speakers at 70 degrees from your viewers. These traditional layouts can be enhanced by Dolby Atmos overhead speakers, which create an immersive, more real-life experience.

How Many Watts Home Theater Do I Need?

Your theater will sound better if you have more power under your hood. Strangely, but true, high-power theaters sound louder when they are at lower volume levels. 125 watts per channel would be the best power level to maintain without worrying about running out.

How Many Speakers Do I Need?

You will need five or more speakers to create a surround sound system. Dolby Atmos enabled setups should include at least five speakers. A good system should have at least five, seven or nine principal speakers. Your space limitations and your budget will determine the amount of speakers you select. You should ensure that your home theater receiver has sufficient input and output options for the speakers you have chosen.

Since merchandising consultant pros have a wide variety of expertise, the information above is presumed to be accurate. The data of best rated surround sound system is also updated on a regular basis. You may feel confident that the data is current and accurate.

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About Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward

Nicolas Ward is an elite author with many years of experience in the music field and the owner of many engaging articles at TheAudioInsights. He studies music production and has many years of passionate research into sound systems. Appearing in many popular newspapers, Nicolas Ward provides useful knowledge and the latest information on music and sound.