A good home theater speaker system is the difference between watching TV and completely immersing yourself in the onscreen action. You're just not going to get cinematic sound quality with a soundbar alone.
Surround-sound setups usually consist of five speaker units and a bass module, or they comprise a soundbar, two satellite speakers, and a wireless sub. The products that our partners at Best Products selected are all highly rated and from well-known audio brands.
The majority of the home theater systems below have a soundbar as their centerpiece. They are easier to install, and they don't require an audio receiver. Multi-speaker systems, on the other hand, require more space and time to get running. Thankfully, the sonic experience they deliver is worth the additional efforts.
To get the best sound possible, home-theater speakers have to support audio formats from Dolby Audio and DTS. Today’s streaming content is often enhanced by them, so all products on this list offer at least basic compatibility.
Wi-Fi connectivity, just like support for enhanced sound, is an essential feature to look for in a home theater system. It will allow you to effortlessly stream audio content from a phone, a laptop or a tablet. Save for the budget pick (which still has Bluetooth connectivity), all products on this list have onboard Wi-Fi.
Like most things in tech, the more money you spend, the better the quality will be. Available in a multitude of configurations, these are the top seven home theater speaker systems that are well worth the investment.
2
A Runner-Up With a Soundbar
Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Home Theater System
amazon.com
$699.00
Polk Audio’s MagniFi MAX SR home theater system is a solid alternative to our aforementioned top pick — it has a similar price tag but a sleeker design and a much easier setup.
It has a soundbar as its centerpiece, so it doesn’t require a receiver or a lot of extra space on your media console. You can simply place the soundbar underneath your TV or mount it to the wall in a similar position.
In addition to an excellent soundbar, the product has a wireless subwoofer and a duo of rear speakers. Combined, they deliver an excellent sonic experience. The MagniFi MAX SR is also compatible with Dolby Digital- and DTS-enhanced sound, and there’s even an option to enhance the content’s voice quality. This feature is great for listening to news and podcasts.
Streaming audio content on the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR is easy, thanks to Wi-Fi connectivity with Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 support. Bluetooth connectivity is also on board. It also includes a feature-packed remote with a 3-year warranty that’s compatible with a plethora of smart TVs.
4
Best for Small Spaces
JBL Bar 5.1 Wireless Soundbar
amazon.com
$800.00
The JBL Bar 5.1 is the most versatile home theater system on this list, and it's a great option for small spaces. At a glance, the setup looks like a regular soundbar with a wireless subwoofer. But thanks to its two detachable speakers, the Bar 5.1 can provide you with the surround-sound experience whenever you want it.
The surround speakers of this home theater speaker system have up to 10 hours of battery life each — enough to last you through an epic movie marathon. When not in use, you can attach them back onto the soundbar to replenish their batteries.
Like all JBL products, the Bar 5.1 delivers a rich sound that’s vastly better than unenhanced TV speakers. With the surround speakers in use, the system is compatible with Dolby- and DTS-enhanced audio content. It's equipped with Bluetooth connectivity, but no Wi-Fi.
