One of the best ways to elevate your home theater experience is by adding surround sound speakers. With a surround sound speaker system, you get theater-quality audio, which is so much more immersive than the audio from your TV. Here is our list of the best surround sound speaker systems, including the best cheap options, the best wireless systems, the best surround sound soundbar, and the best 5.1 and 7.1 speaker setups.
Logitech Z606 – Best Cheap Surround Sound System
If you’re looking for a cheap surround sound system, the Logitech Z606 5.1 speaker system is your best bet. This 5.1 surround sound speaker system comes with front left, right, and center channels, two rear speakers, and one subwoofer.
If you want to know more about the different kinds of surround sound speakers, check out our article on how to set up surround sound system.
The Logitech Z606 is the top-selling speaker system on Amazon for a reason. The front and center speakers offer clear highs, while the 5.25-inch subwoofer delivers deep bass. The rear speakers also come with 20-foot-long cables, so you won’t have any problems placing them anywhere in a medium-sized room.
This cheap 5.1 surround sound system allows you to listen to audio from a wide range of sources. You can connect it to your computer, phone, tablet, Blu-Ray player, or projector using the 3.5mm audio jack or RCA cables. This system also supports Bluetooth 4.2, which has a maximum range of over 150 feet. Take note, however, that a Bluetooth connection will only give you stereo sound, not surround sound.
JBL Bar 5.1 – Best Soundbar Surround Sound System
With a soundbar, you can get top-notch audio without having to sacrifice space. But most soundbars don’t offer “true” surround sound. If you want theater-quality audio from a sleek and stylish soundbar, the JBL Bar 5.1 is one of the best choices out there.
What makes this system unique is how it transforms from a simple soundbar into a surround sound setup. The JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar comes with two detachable end speakers. You can place these speakers behind your couch any time to create a surround sound effect. These detachable speakers are battery-powered and have up to 10 hours of playtime.
The JBL Bar 5.1 comes with a down-firing 10-inch subwoofer that offers powerful bass without any wires to connect (except the power cord, of course). It also has Dolby Digital technology and three HDMI (ARC) ports that make it easy to get the best sound from your TV and other 4K devices without the need for an AV receiver.
This system also has Bluetooth connectivity, and it will work with most remote controls, even the one that you already use to control your TV.
If you’re in the market for a sleek sound system, check out our list of the best soundbars for your home theater system.
Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1: Best Wireless Surround Sound System
In a typical surround sound setup, you have to connect each speaker to an AV receiver with long cables. But, if you want a sleek audio system without snaking wires through your walls, the Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1 is the best way to go.
This wireless surround sound system is so easy to set up that you should be able to connect everything to your TV within 10 minutes. And, while it might seem expensive, this surround sound system doesn’t require an AV receiver at all, which could save you hundreds of dollars.
In place of an AV receiver, this system comes with an Enclave Smart Center speaker. This hub wirelessly powers up the speakers and allows you to control your audio with the buttons on top of the center speaker, a remote control, or via Bluetooth.
With this wireless surround sound system, you get Dolby Digital and DTS quality audio. It also comes with four HDMI (ARC) outputs, so you can easily connect it to your TV and other media players.
Each speaker in the Enclave Audio CineHome HD system needs to be plugged into a power source, so it’s not completely wireless. However, it still greatly reduces wire clutter compared to a traditional speaker setup.
Polk T Series 5.1 – Best 5.1 Surround Sound System
If you’re looking for a true surround sound system, Polk’s T Series 5.1 comes with everything you need. This surround sound system comes with two floor-standing towers, each of which has four speakers that are already set at the perfect height.
This system also includes a center channel with three speakers, two rear channels that have two speakers each, and a 10-inch front-firing subwoofer that delivers powerful bass. That means you get a total of 16 speakers to fill your home theater with audio.
Each channel also has Polk’s Dynamic Balance Technology built-in. This technology disperses your audio without creating distortion. So, no matter where you’re sitting, you can enjoy immersive 3D surround sound with this system.
If you need an AV receiver, Polk also has a receiver that is compatible with Amazon Alexa. This way, you can use voice commands to turn up the volume or switch the input. Polk speakers also work with most AV receivers available today. If you’re looking for an AV receiver, check out our list of the most affordable AV receivers to find one that works for you.
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro – Best 7.1 Surround Sound System
If you have a large home theater space, you might want to upgrade to a 7.1 surround sound system. With the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro, you’ll get an extra audio channel behind you, so you will hear sounds from all directions.
This surround sound system comes with a huge 45-inch soundbar that functions as your front and center channels. The soundbar features six 2.5-inch drivers and two 1-inch tweeters, which Nakamichi claims will give you a 35% wider soundstage. It also features three processing engines that duplicate the 360-degree Dolby Atmos sound you get at the cinema.
The two wireless surround channels feature one-of-a-kind two-way rear speakers that produce rich sound from behind. These speakers connect directly to the subwoofer via an RCA cable, so you don’t need a separate power cable. You also have an option to get a second subwoofer for even deeper bass.
This system comes with three HDMI inputs and one HDMI (ARC) output that supports HDR 4K video at 60 frames per second. Plus, it also has digital optical, digital coax, auxiliary, Bluetooth, and USB to plug a flash drive in to play movies and update your firmware.
Finally, unlike other soundbars, this system comes with a huge backlit remote that allows you to control all kinds of features. You can easily change the input, EQ, and audio settings for each speaker, depending on how you set up your system. With all of these features, it’s easy to see why the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro is one of the best surround sound systems available today.
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