With so many options for streaming movies and TV shows nowadays, countless homes are choosing to pair their high definition TVs with high quality audio systems to complete the modern home theater systems.
This is for good reason, as many streaming services such as Amazon Prime, Disney+, and Netflix are showing select films in HD and 4K formats with high-fidelity audio like DTS-MA, DTS HD master audio or Dolby Atmos.
If the video is excellent, it almost demands better audio. You can’t have an excellent home theater setup without it.
Today’s best home theater systems are feature-rich, yet streamlined, and provide a vastly improved experience over the built-in speakers getting crammed thinner and thinner form factors.
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Top Home Theater Systems
Ready to take that movie to a new level at home? These are our favorite top-rated home theater systems with epic sound quality.
Whether you are looking for wireless surround sound systems, a budget home theater system or something with rear speakers, this post includes a mix of all-in-one, add-on and peripheral systems to fit different budgets.
1. Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite
Best Overall
- Transform your living room into a premium cinema within minutes. Experience deep, room-filling bass with...
- Our DUAL 8" WIRELESS SUBWOOFERS (industry's 1st!), the new soundbar reference standard for bass, produce...
- TWO 2-WAY REAR SPEAKERS (industry's 1st!) produce spacious and dynamic surround sound. Each of them...
Modeled after Nakamichi’s flagship, award-winning 9.2.4 sound system, this scaled-down version is a less expensive option with the same bones.
If you have different surround sound formats, the spatial surround sound elevation modes and one-button room optimization provide sound control based on your room size.
The eight-speaker soundbar is the star of the show, with a supporting cast of two two-way surround speakers and two dual wireless subwoofers. The audio quality is amazing.
If you are looking for the best home theater system that offers plug-and-play with immersive 360-degree harmonic, bass-driven sound delivered in multiple layers, direct, above, below, and on either side, this is a contender.
Features
- Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compatible
- Dolby Vision and 4K UHD HDR compatible
- Bluetooth with Qualcomm aptX-enabled
- Optimized for QLED, OLED, and HD TVs
- Backlit remote
Input/output: 3 HDMI, 1 coaxial, 1 optical, 1 HDMI ARC, 1 Stereo analog and 1 USB
Power: Space to plug in three components into an outlet
Pros
- Sleek design
- Excellent sound quality
- Brand has 70+ years in the audio business
- Easy setup
Cons
- Somewhat overpriced for what you get
- May not be ideal for small spaces (smaller than 14’ x 14’)
- Remote has limited range
- Heavy shipment (grab a friend to help you get it in the house)
2. Bose Lifestyle 650
Best Upgrade Pick
- As main components, your purchase include: One Console, 4 OnmiJewel side speakers, One Omni Jewel center...
- Dimensions (”): Console – 15.98 W x 2.56 H x 10.16 D | Omni Jewel Side speakers (each) – 1.84 W x...
- Wires length: 6-foot IR emitter, 5-foot optical cable, 6-foot HDMI cable, 5-foot power cord, 20-foot...
Bose is known for creating great sound experiences at home or on the go. This system is for when you want to stay in (and make popcorn).
It’s an ideal home theater system to support multiple audio formats such as Dolby Digital, multichannel PCM, and DTS. This system from Bose boasts connections for up to six HDMI-enabled video sources.
You get a full circle of sound with the five-speaker center speaker and four compact omnidirectional speakers. The unassuming wireless Acoustimass subwoofer module delivers serious bass for movies, music, or gaming.
If you want to splurge on a system from one of the most well-known names in sound, this is the one.
Features
- Alexa-enabled for voice control
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Built-in NFC
- Apple AirPlay 2 compatible
- Optimized for 4K/60 TVs and devices
- SoundTouch wireless music streaming over WiFi
Input/output: 6 HDMI, 1 HDMI ARC, 2 optical, 2 digital coaxial, 2 Stereo analog, 1 data, 1 IR repeater, 1 Ethernet and 1 USB (for software updates)
Power: Space to plug in four components into an outlet
Pros
- ADAPTiQ headset for setup and sound optimization help
- Simple yet elegant design
- Two color options (white or black)
- Can expand the system
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- High-end price
- Set up takes time
3. Sonos Arc
Best Soundbar
- Connectivity technology: HDMI
- Included components: Product & warranty documentation
Sonos is Latin for sounds; this soundbar lives up to its name. If you’re just exploring the idea of better sound while watching your favorite movie, a soundbar is a great place to start.
Yet, this is not a starter soundbar in terms of technology.
The Sonos Arc is a smart soundbar designed with input from Oscar-winning sound engineers. It’s compatible with the popular 3D Dolby Atmos sound format and offers Trueplay, a self-optimizing acoustic feature.
What’s more? You can run this home theater system as a standalone soundbar or add in a Sonos subwoofer and a few Sonos One SL speakers to create the ultimate 5.1 surround sound speaker system experience as you stream your favorite flicks.
If you are looking for the best surround sound system, this one is worth reviewing.
Features
- Built-in Alexa voice controls
- Apple AirPlay 2 compatible
- Dolby Atmos compatible
- Speech enhancement
Inputs/output: 1 HDMI ARC (compatible with eARC), 1 optical and 1 Ethernet
Power: Space to plug in one component into an outlet
Note: Compatible with TVs larger than 49 inches (for smaller TVs, check out the Sonos Beam)
Pros
- Excellent sound
- Slim design, discreet footprint
- It comes in two colors (black or white)
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Sonos app is unreliable
- Only for larger TVs
- Requires iOS device to use Trueplay dynamic tuner
4. VIZIO V-Series
Best Value
- Low-Profile Modern Design - Clean silhouettes, subtle textures, and matte finishes seamlessly blend into...
- Powerful Performance - Brilliant clarity, thunderous bass, and Dolby Audio and DTS Digital Surround...
- Simple Setup, Streaming & Control - Get setup and listening in minutes with HDMI ARC and Bluetooth...
Are you looking for an affordable 5.1 channel surround sound system? Take a serious look at this offering from Vizio. It’s jam-packed with upgraded features, which is admirable considering the price.
This home theater system is a six-speaker package, including three in the sound bar, two peripheral speakers, and a subwoofer.
Combined, all the speakers in the system can deliver up to 96 decibels of crisp sound and 50Hz – 20kHz of pure bass combined with a subwoofer’s power that connects wirelessly to the sound bar.
Features
- Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X
- Works with Google Assistant
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Includes Remote Control
- Wireless surround sound system
Input/output: 1 HDMI, 1 HDMI ARC, 1 optical, 1 Stereo analog, and 1 USB
Power: space to plug in two components into an outlet or power strip
Pros
- Affordable
- Powerful sound profile
- Easy setup
- 1-year warranty
Cons
- Reviewers report intermittent issues with powering on
- Hard to read, flimsy remote
5. Yamaha YAS-209BL Soundbar
Best Budget-Buy
- Easy setup with HDMI or Optical cable and automatic subwoofer connection.Waterproof : No
- Wireless subwoofer for deep bass and flexible placement. Center unit-36-5/8 × 2-1/2 × 4-1/4 inches,...
- Clear voice for enhanced dialogue clarity
Yamaha is a leading producer of audio and visual equipment and multiple product lines that make life easier. This soundbar aligns with its legacy.
While it’s not “cheap”, This Yamaha soundbar is a budget-conscious pick for what it offers. It’s a streamlined 3D sound system with just a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer.
The soundbar’s design offers multi-directional sound without the need for multiple speakers around your home theater room.
Have Amazon Fire TV? Control movie night through this soundbar by saying what you want to see. Easy.
Features
- DTS:X, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II compatible
- Built-in Alexa voice controls
- Bluetooth-enabled
- WiFi connectivity
- Speech enhancement
Input/output: 1 HDMI, 1 HDMI ARC, 1 optical, 1 Ethernet and 1 USB (software updates)
Power: Space to plug in one component into an outlet or power strip
Pros
- Supports 4K and 3D passthrough
- Easy plug and play setup
- Compact
- Suitable for medium to large spaces
- Excellent surround speakers
Cons
- Unreliable app
- Does not support AirPlay 2
- Does not support all streaming devices
- Does not work with Google Assistant
6. Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800
Best Cinema Experience
- Huge speaker sound from small easy to place and use satellite speakers
- Pressure-coupled mid/bass radiators deliver rich, warm sound
- 300-Watt powered subwoofer with two 8” cones belts out deep, high impact bass
For those who want a straight-up cinematic setup from a home theater system, this system from Definitive Technology is hard to beat. The multi-speaker system has bass radiators, a technology that delivers efficient bass with low sound distortion.
In this 5.1 channel setup, you get a powerful center speaker, four compact satellite speakers, and a subwoofer. Plus, you can add on speakers or subwoofers to expand your sound’s reach, making it scalable as your needs change.
It has a tower speaker sound with a smaller footprint. If you close your eyes, you might think you’re at your favorite theater. It’s the ultimate in surround speakers.
Features
- BDSS tech drivers with HD sound
- Pressure-coupled bass radiators
- Compatible with multiple home theater AV receivers
- Pure aluminum dome tweeters
- Center channel speaker
Input/output: 2 sets of gold-plated 5-way binding posts, speaker connections
Power: Space to plug in two components into an outlet or power strip
Note: This system requires at least a 5.1 channel home theater receiver
Pros
- Delivers warm, rich sound
- Discreet design, easy to hide
- Works with multiple receivers
- 5-year warranty for drivers and cabinets
- 3-year warranty for electronic components
Cons
- Time-consuming setup
- Requires knowledge of setting up a receiver
- It only comes in black
- Wired system
7. Polk Audio Home Theater System
Best Tower Speaker System
- MASSIVE SOUND FROM 15 SPEAKERS – Each bookshelf features a 5.25” driver & a 0.75” tweeter, center...
- A powered subwoofer for extra bass & punch (up to 100 watts) - A 10-inch subwoofer with a uniquely...
- All speakers, including the sub, are equipped with POLK’S proprietary dynamic balance technology with...
If you’re looking for a home theater system that stands out and delivers excellent sound, this is our top pick. This 5.1 home theater system has a center channel speaker, two tower speakers, two bookshelf speakers, and a subwoofer.
This tower system is perfect for small to medium-sized rooms but expandable to fit larger areas by adding additional speakers and subwoofers as needed.
Polk delivers rich, immersive sound. It will require a little effort, but your setup time will reap the dividends of jaw-dropping audio unlike any of the other speaker systems on the market.
Features
- Dynamic Balance Technology
- Acoustic Resonance Control
- Bass radiators
- Compatible with most home theater speakers and AV receivers
- Timbre-matched speakers for seamless sound blend across speakers
Input/output: Binding posts, L/R in-out, speaker connections
Power: Space to plug in two components into an outlet or power strip
Note: This product requires at least a 5.1 home theater system
Pros
- Affordable
- Full bass sound with smooth highs
- Can upgrade by adding speakers
- Perfect for a multi-room setup
- Sturdy construction of components
Cons
- It takes time to set up
- Inconvenient location of binding posts
- Not plug and play; requires receiver setup
- It only comes in black
- Wired system
8. Klipsch Cinema 600
Best Plug and Play
- 45 inches 3.1 Soundbar With 10 inches Wireless Subwoofer
- Best-In-Class 600W Peak Power
- HDMI-ARC: Single Cable, Single Remote Control
This Klipsch home theater system is truly a plug-and-play masterpiece. It’s a 3.1 channel setup featuring a soundbar and a 10-inch down-firing wireless subwoofer. Plug your HDMI or optical cable into your TV and get instant theater-quality sound in seconds.
The large subwoofer provides a clean yet powerful bass response that comes in handy when you watch concert films or action movies. The sound can transform your living room into your private cinema.
The Klipsch Cinema 600 is an easy-to-use system that can expand with two additional Klipsch Surround 3 speakers to create a 5.1 system.
Features
- Virtualized surround sound
- Dolby Digital compatible
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Dialogue enhancement modes
- Linear travel suspension tweeter
- Fiber composite cone woofers
- Crafted from premium wood
Input/output: 1 HDMI ARC, 1 optical, additional wired subwoofer connection and 1 Aux analog
Power: Space to plug in one component into an outlet
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- 90-day money-back guarantee
- Expandable system
- 1-year warranty on electronics
- 3-year warranty on woofer, cabinet, and non-electrical parts
Cons
- Unreliable app
- No adjustable equalizer
9. Polk Audio MagniFi Max
Best Compact System
- A 7.1.2 CHANNEL SOUND BAR SYSTEM - The 2022 MagniFi Max AX SR includes Polk's flagship MagniFi Max...
- A SUPER IMMERSIVE SOUND EXPERIENCE - MagniFi Max AX Soundbar features an 11-driver array with 2 up-firing...
- CAPTIVATING SURROUND SOUND WITH POLK's PATENTED SDA 3D AUDIO TECHNOLOGY - This home theater system...
The Polk Audio MagniFi Max is a slim, compact solution that gives you signature multidirectional sound without taking up a lot of room. It’s a 7.1.2 system with loads of features and options for connecting your entertainment hub to theater-quality sound.
Plug in a Smart TV or other smart device and enjoy the 3D sound quality produced by the Stereo Dimensional Array (SDA) surround technology. It eliminates crosstalk and leaves you with a pure sound experience at home.
Features
- Built-in Chromecast
- Wireless speakers and subwoofer
- Bluetooth-enabled
- WiFi connectivity
- Voice Adjust technology
- SDA Surround sound technology
- Optimized for 4K HDMI
Input/output: 3 HDMI, 1 HDMI ARC, 1 optical, 1 Ethernet, and 1 USB (software updates)
Power: Space to plug in four components into an outlet or power strip
Pros
- Good value
- Easy setup
- Wireless home theater system
- Expandable system
- Multiple connections
- Compatible with most TVs
Cons
- It only comes in black
- Basic remote design
10. Sony HT-S400
Best Starter System
- IMMERSIVE SURROUND SOUND: S-Force PRO Front Surround and Dolby Digital create cinematic style surround...
- ENJOY CLEAR DIALOGUE AND POWERFUL SOUND: Powerful audio technology, such as the X-Balanced Speaker Unit...
- SIMPLE & EASY OPERATION: The simple, compact remote control and convenient OLED display window make...
If you aren’t looking for a 2.1 system but just want an introduction to better sound, the Sony HT-S400 is a solid starter system. The virtual sound technology provides cinematic surround sound from a central speaker system.
It’s a 2.1-channel setup with a soundbar and wireless subwoofer. The soundbar covers the high and mid-range sounds; the subwoofer completes the sound experience with deep, low rumbles for an immersive experience.
Features
- Virtualized surround sound
- Multiple sound modes
- Bluetooth-enabled
- Bluetooth streaming
- Sound Field, Voice mode, and Night mode setting
- Wireless speakers and subwoofer
Input/output: 1 HDMI ARC, 1 optical, and additional wired subwoofer connection
Power: Space to plug in two components into an outlet or power strip
Pros
- Affordable
- Easy plug and play set up
- Easy to mount
- Connects to multiple TV brands
Cons
- Not expandable
- Bulky subwoofer
- No digital display
Summary
There are many home theater systems and surround speakers that can create a cinema-like experience at home.
Make sure to choose a good surge protector to use with your new home theater system. Protect your investment.