The Best Surround Sound System With Receiver For 2024

Harlan Ellison By, Harlan Ellison
Updated
Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Powered Subwoofer
Image credit: Amazon.com

The Rundown

1. Best Of The Best: Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Powered Subwoofer

Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Powered Subwoofer is a speaker system that delivers MASSIVE sound from 15 speakers, and an amazing subwoofer for extra bass and punch. Polk's proprietary Dynamic Balance Technology assures you of unmatched 3-dimensional surround sound with heart-thumping bass, so you'll be able to hear every word in your favorite movie or game. Read Review

2. Runner Up: Rockville HTS56 1000w 5.1 Channel Home Theater System

The Rockville HTS56 5.1 Channel Home Theater System is the perfect entertainment for any room in the house. This Home Theater System features a full range front channel speaker and two sets of rear speakers that deliver crisp, clear sound from every angle. Control the volume of each speaker, including the subwoofer, with your phone or tablet and enjoy stunning LED light effects with a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. Read Review

3. Best Sound Quality: Yamaha YHT-4950U 4K Ultra HD 5.1-Channel Home Theater System

The 5.1-channel home theatre system includes an AV receiver as well as a speaker package. This will provide a balanced, clear sound experience for all listening levels. The AV receiver supports HDR which delivers stunning contrast, smooth tone, rich, bright colors, and full high-definition enjoyment. This will give you exceptional picture quality and realistic picture quality. Read Review

4. Best Connectivity: Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System

The Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System is the perfect system for your home theater, featuring an elegant design and incredibly powerful audio performance. With up to 120 Watts of power, this system can handle anything you throw at it - and then some! The Black Reference Theater Pack soundbar features a minimalist design that blends with any decor, while its flexible placement allows you to place it in virtually any room. Read Review

If you have a great TV and want your home theater to match, then investing in a surround sound receiver is an excellent choice. There are so many home theater receivers on the market right now that it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re also looking for the best surround sound system with receiver, this guide is here to help.

You will find everything from affordable options that won’t break the bank up to top-of-the-line systems that will cost you a pretty penny. Whether you are upgrading from an old home stereo system or buying your first, we’ve got everything you need to know.

With Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Powered Subwoofer, you will have no difficulty finding anything to meet your needs! To help you find the best fit for your needs, we've put up a purchasing guide and also shown other great options for you to consider.

Before finalizing your selection, our staff advises that you look into these additional important resources. They may help narrow down your selection and clarify things to locate the right fit. Look no further than Rockville HTS56 1000w 5.1 Channel Home Theater System since you're seeking the budget-friendly option. Our top models are equipped with features to meet every requirement. 

Our Top Picks

  • 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 speakers are COMPATIBLE WITH MOST HOME THEATER AV RECEIVERS giving you many setup options. Use this 5.1 channel system as is or upgrade to an immersive multi-room setup with 7.1, 9.1 or more channels
  • A POWERED SUBWOOFER FOR EXTRA BASS & PUNCH (up to 100 watts) - A 10-inch subwoofer with a uniquely configured directed port provides accurate bass with added depth that brings your music and movies alive. A perfect solution for your small-to-mid size room
  • 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
  • MASSIVE SOUND FROM 15 SPEAKERS – Each bookshelf features a 5.25” driver & a 0.75” tweeter, center has (2) 5.25” driver & 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
  • 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.
TOP Choice #3 Yamaha YHT-4950U 4K Ultra HD 5.1-Channel Home Theater System
Our Score:
9.6
Yamaha Audio
  • Technical specs: HDMI – 4 | Standby Power Consumption – ≤ 0.2 W | Frequency Response – 28Hz/25kHz
  • Easy setup with Yamaha YPAO room optimization and flexible speaker placement options, including virtual cinema front
  • Bluetooth for streaming all your favorite music and podcasts. No wireless functionality
  • Your purchase includes: 1 AV receiver, 5 speakers, 1 Sub-Woofer and Speaker wire
  • Dimensions: AV Receiver – 17” W x 6” H x 12” D | Four Speakers (each) – 4” W x 6” H x 4” D | Center speaker – 10” W x 4” H x 4” D | Subwoofer – 11” W x 11” H x 13” D
  • The Klipsch reference theater pack delivers a superior acoustic performance while keeping an incredibly minimal footprint
  • 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
  • To complement the easy placement of the wireless subwoofer, each satellite speaker has a keyhole mount and a threaded insert for maximum mounting flexibility
  • The reference theater pack brings the Klipsch cinematic sound into your home with an incredibly minimal footprint
  • SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: Our system is compatible with any standard 3.5 millimeter headphones, RCA stereo, or RCA 6 Channel surround audio outputs, and features a standard US 110V grounded wall plug
  • LED ILLUMINATED SURROUND SOUND: Each system features an integrated power amp with 300 watts of power while the LED illuminated subs display multi colored flashing lights in a variety of different patterns
  • THE ULTIMATE HOME THEATER EXPERIENCE: Our 5.1 speaker system includes 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer; Delivers powerful surround sound while watching TV, gaming, or streaming music from your phone to the built in Bluetooth receiver
  • WHAT'S IN THE BOX: Acoustic Audio by Goldwood AA5400 powered subwoofer speaker, 5 passive wired satellite speakers, full function remote, 3.5 millimeter to RCA cable, 3 RCA to RCA jack cables, and an instruction manual
  • GREAT FOR AT HOME ENTERTAINMENT: Use our sound equipment for binge-watching your favorite TV shows, for movie nights at home with the family, or for gaming on your computer, or for listening to music on your MP3 player
  • The subwoofer is powered by a 60 watt (RMS) amplifier, driving a downward firing 8" cone. It can take either line or speaker-level inputs, so can be used with any amplifier, even older amps without dedicated subwoofer outputs. The subwoofer handles frequencies between 50 Hz to 250 Hz and includes adjustable crossover frequency and volume balance controls.
  • The center speakers use two 3" shielded mid-range cones, while the satellites employ one 3" cone and a 1/2" dome tweeter. However, don't let the small size fool you! These 8 ohm speakers will handle up to 125 watts of power from your home theater receiver at frequencies from 150 Hz to 20 kHz.
  • This speaker system features four satellite speakers and a center channel speaker for the mid- and high-range audio signals, plus an 8" powered subwoofer to handle the low frequencies. All the speakers come with an attractive black finish and convenient spring-loaded signal connectors.
  • Also included in the box are four C brackets for mounting the satellite speakers to the wall and the necessary hardware for mounting the speakers to the brackets. A pair of plastic feet to properly orient the face of the center speaker is also included. Note that you will need to provide your own hardware for mounting the C brackets to the wall or other vertical surface.
  • Surround yourself in high-fidelity with the Monoprice 5.1-channel Home Theater Speaker System!
  • LED Light Effects: The surround sound systems speakers use high-quality materials, with LED lighting effect which makes full of atmosphere, and also has digital display function.The Subwoofer unit has 4 LED lighting modes: (blink to the beat, solid on, spectrum EQ analyzer, off) . Full Function Remote allows you to turn on/off the LED light via Remote Control.
  • 5.1 Channel Surround Stereo Sound: Bobtot speaker has two modes of 5.1/2.1 channel, switch via remote control. Pro surround function provides you with more advanced enjoyment. You can independently control the volume of each speaker and the subwoofer
  • 1200 Watts Peak Power: Home theater system speakers can reach up to 1200 watts of power, 10-inch Subwoofer with built-in receiver, high volume but with professional sound quality and excellent bass sound, deliver the cleanest, most natural sound possible. Bring you and your family with full cinema experience at home
  • Multiple Application: Plug and play, Speakers are widely used for numerous scenarios such as Ultra HD 4K TV, game console, home DVD, computer, laptop. It's very suitable for watching movies, watching football games, partying, and e-sports games with friends at home. Additional cables include Optical cable/Coaxial cable/Signal cable/Antenna cable are support any application in needed
  • Multimedia Support: 5.0 Bluetooth speakers can connect various smart devices, which are compatible with USB/SD/DVD/OPT/COA/AUX, also have a Built-In FM Receiver with Amazing Reception. 2 ¼” MIC Inputs with Echo function for karaoke. With longer built-in cable, the speakers can stand anywhere: Front Speakers L/F: 13Ft, Rear Speakers L/R: 31Ft, Center Speaker: 10Ft
  • Use for home entertainment 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. Search AA5102D for this model with Smart TV Digital Optical Input.
  • 3.5mm to RCA wire included, 3 RCA to RCA jack cables included, remote control and full instructions included, 110V required power supply, designed and engineered in the USA
  • Acoustic Audio 5102 Bluetooth powered 5.1 multimedia home theater speaker system, 800 watts system power, 40Hz-20 kHz frequency response, built in Bluetooth receiver, 5 discrete independent channel inputs and outputs, integrated audio amplifier
  • Subwoofer speaker is 5.5" x 10.75" x 11", ported for fuller bass, 5 full range satellite speakers are 3.5" x 3.25" x 5.25" each, satellite speakers are mountable with included hardware, 2 fronts and center satellite speakers have a 6' single RCA cable, 2 rear speakers have 12' single RCA cables
  • Enhanced bass boost design, front panel controls, illuminated display, bass, treble and main volume controls, stereo auxiliary input, pro surround function, USB/SD card reader, plug and play connections, computerized enclosure design, magnetically shielded speakers
  • 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
  • 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)
  • Reduced Vibration: Four rubber foot pads are included to isolate the speakers from your shelf, so as to reduce shelf vibration
  • 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
  • Polk 10-Inch Active Subwoofer
  • Polk 2-Way Floor-Standing Speakers (Pair)
  • Onkyo 5.2-Channel Wireless Bluetooth 4K Network A/V Wi-Fi Home Theater Receiver
  • Polk 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)
  • Polk 2-Way Center Channel Speaker
Product Images, Product Titles, Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

What to Look For in a best surround sound system with receiver?

You may think purchasing seems simple, and it sometimes does the opposite! Studying the outcome of best surround sound system with receiver will take a considerable amount of time. Also, there are multiple sides of best surround sound system with receiver you need to check. That’s the reason why we’re all ready to assist you with best surround sound system with receiver issue.

You should pay more attention to the following criteria of best surround sound system with receiver in 2024:

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.

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.

Smart Features

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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About Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison

Harlan Ellison is a writer and audio equipment enthusiast. He's particularly interested in home theater HiFi audio, and he has been the editor of The Audio Insights since its inception. Harlan is known for his sharp wit and scathing critiques, but he also has a great love of music and audio gear. When he's not writing or editing, Harlan can be found listening to music or watching movies with his wife.