A home theater system is as good as its picture and sound. An unbeatable surround sound system will make sure you get the stereo sound to match the great picture. However, not every sound system is created equally, so our experts are here to weigh in on the best surround sound system money can buy to make sure your sound cravings are satisfied and avoid disappointment.
Reviews of the Best Surround Sound Systems
1. Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
Logitech is a household name in entertainment products, so it’s no surprise the 906 full surround sound home theater system delivers excellent sound quality. The profile of each of the speakers is very compact, making the setup flexible and saves on space.
The satellite speakers are even compact enough to mount onto the walls to keep out of your way. The entire home theater system is THX-certified, which means they deliver top-quality audio for your enjoyment. Use the Logitech Z906 system to connect to your TV, computer, or music player to experience room-filling sound no matter the content.
Pros
- Small and compact footprint
- THX-certified to elevate your home theater experience
- High-quality Dolby and DTS quality sound
- Full surround setup
- Center channel for control
- Peak power of 1000 watts
- Wall-mountable satellite speakers
- Flexible use
- Multiple inputs
Cons
- Not as loud as larger speakers
- Recommended for medium to small rooms
2. Acoustic Audio AA5170 Home Theater 5.1 Bluetooth Speaker System
If the price is the greatest consideration for your home audio unit, then the Acoustic Audio AA5170 is the best choice. It includes a subwoofer and 5 independent channels you can utilize for strategic placement.
The speakers are magnetically shielded so you can place them as close to the TV and receiver as possible. Our experts also appreciated the sleek design with orange accents and the plug-and-play setup.
They are very compact as well, so you will have no problem-saving space in a smaller layout. The package has everything you need, including a subwoofer like our experts mentioned, and the setup is optimized for enhanced bass boost.
Pros
- Full package
- Great bass boost for your home cinema
- Sleek design
- Multiple inputs
- Plug-and-play
- Pro Surrounding technology
- Ported enclosure
- Built-in Bluetooth receiver
- Clear illuminated display
- Affordable price
Cons
- No mounting holes for speakers
- Speaker wire not removable
3. Enclave CineHome II 5.1 Wireless Home Theater Surround Sound System
Cinephiles and audiophiles alike can rejoice. The Enclave CineHome II means business when it comes to a home cinema experience. The separate tower speakers and along with the custom-tuned ones, possess the finest technology to elevate any content.
Enjoy far-reaching sound bouncing around the room immediately with the plug-and-play setup design. Both HDMI ARC and eARC are available for a single-cable connection to all channels as well as analog inputs.11 Class D amplifiers power the full speaker system to ensure balanced and powerful cinematic audio.
Furthermore, the wireless home theater equipment can utilize Wi-Fi for a seamless setup and supports Dolby, DTS, and is WiSA certified.
Pros
- Multiple connection options
- Dolby and DTS supported
- WiSA certified
- Powered by 11 class D amplifiers
- Wireless connection
- Cinehub transmitter included
- Includes a powerful subwoofer
Cons
- Higher price tag
- Not THX certified
4. Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System
Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Speakers need no introduction. These systems are known to have great surround speakers, and this theater pack is no different. The sound quality is impressive, and our experts enjoyed the Tractrix Horn Technology and aluminum tweeters.
You will get nothing but crystal clear and clean sound from each of the speakers. The subwoofer is powerful and down-firing to bring vibrations that punctuate the low-end bass. Each speaker is small and compact, making this audio unit an excellent fit for rooms of any size. You can mount the rear speakers thanks to the keyhole mount to have more flexibility and a neater connection.
Pros
- Small design
- Tractrix Horn Technology
- Aluminum tweeters
- Downward firing subwoofer
- Can be wall-mounted
- Full cinematic audio
Cons
- No Wi-Fi
- Can’t mix and match to other speakers or soundbar
5. Onkyo HT-S3900 5.1-Channel Home Theater
The Onkyo HT-S3900 surround sound arrangement comes with its own AV receiver, which saves you time trying to find the right, compatible receiver model. As a 5.1 speaker system, the HT-S3900 can deliver expansive audio from the front of your room.
The speakers can decode Dolby and DTS formats to liven up what was once flat sound from factory TV speakers. The bass is brought to the service with the great subwoofer that can bring the thumps. The arrangement features Bluetooth wireless technology and Qualcomm Apt Audio Technology that makes it easy to set up the speaker combo and enjoy a powerful sound.
Pros
- Dolby and DTS formats
- Bluetooth wireless technology
- Qualcomm Apt Audio Technology
- Comes with a subwoofer
- Comes with its receiver
- Excellent for small rooms
- 4K HDR
- Features a USB input
Cons
- Takes a lot of power
- Requires high-quality cables
Surround Sound System Buyer’s Guide
Our experts made sure to put extra effort into the buying guide for the best surround sound systems. It’s more than just the center control console, the HDMI availability, or the power. Let’s take a look at influencing factors for your streaming content.
Sound Format
The sound format the system supports is what it can decode. The most popular and often the best deals are from DTS and Dolby. Dolby Atmos is among the best and is often seen in movie theaters around the world. It is considered an industry-leading surround audio format. DTS True Surround and other formats also help your 5.1 channel arrangement deliver the best audio for music and cinema.
Of course, our experts say you don’t need to have advanced technologies such as Dolby Atmos and DTS to enjoy surround audio, but they will give you a great deal of depth and balance you would not otherwise have.
Sound Quality and Balance
The following important feature is the sound ability and the balance of the soundstage produced by your devices. First, let’s take a look at the channels. How many channels your unit has will impact the balance of the audio. Our experts say that to be a surround sound system; you will need at least 5.1 channel [1] surround speakers.
The first digit in 5.1 refers to the speakers and points of sound emission. The 1 behind the decimal point pertains to the number of subwoofers. You can find a soundbar system or center channel system that has 5.1.
Anything above 5.1, such as a 7.1 unit, will also bring you unmatched sound. In essence, the more channels you have, the more dynamic the sound. There are brand-specific bonuses in a soundbar system, such as Tractrix Horn Technology from Klipsch, that can further improve your listening experience.
Placement
While you can technically place your high-end sound system anywhere in the room, our team highly advises utilizing the strategy to get the best results. To find your sweet listening spot, it may take some trial and error. However, for sure, you shouldn’t place your sound equipment to the rear of the room.
Many units can bounce sound around the room by taking advantage of the acoustics, but you need unique embedded technology for that. Many of the surrounding systems our team suggested can achieve this effect.
The connection can also hinder the placement of the speakers. For example, if you connect to your Blu-ray player, you can only place the speaker as far as the cable will allow. This is when having wireless connections can help.
However, you would need your Blu-ray player also to possess wireless features. Our experts remind you that HDMI connections such as HDMI ARC and eARC will be more stable. They are easy to connect and only require one single cable.
If a device doesn’t support HDMI, other deals such as digital optical cable are also available. Optical connections are the second-best connection method, according to our experts.
Rear speakers can often be mounted on walls to save space. You can place them at the front of the room on the wall to create more dimension. To do this, our team also suggests wireless connections to set up the system in a neater way.
Channels
As our team briefly mentioned, the channels offered will have a significant impact on the audio quality. You need at least five channels to be considered a surround sound system. With different technologies such as Dolby Atmos, one can hear the difference in the streaming content from a Blu-ray player and other media devices.
Design and Size
There are great deals to be had for your soundbar system if you know where to look. Our team suggests only buying products within your price range and a compatible size for your room.
Map out your system’s potential location at the front of the room to get an idea of how to set up the unit and the size range. Remember, connecting via wireless connection will give you more flexibility for the size.
An extra feature that gives a soundbar surround system more versatility is a virtual assistant. You can either have Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant embedded in your soundbar for easier control.
FAQ
Which is the best surround sound system to buy?
The best surround sound system to buy is the Logitech Z906. The sound system gives users better audio with THX-certified speakers. As one of the best surround sound systems, the Z906 is compatible with multiple devices and offers flexible placement.
Is 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound better?
7.1 surround sound is better than the 5.1 system. A 7.1 system has more channels than the latter soundbar surround unit and can create more depth and a wider soundstage. The more channels your equipment has, the more wide-reaching the sound can be.
Our Top Pick For a Surround Sound System: Logitech Z906
Our experts’ top pick for the best surround sound system is the Logitech Z906. You can choose to connect a soundbar, but the center channel is more than enough for regulating the sound in your unit.
The speaker combo is THX-certified. Meaning, it has the highest standards in audio production. The placement of the unit is diverse and can be wall-mounted to save space.
The post What is the Best Surround Sound System? — Find a Set that Complements Your Setup (2021) appeared first on The Product Analyst.
from The Product Analyst https://theproductanalyst.com/best-surround-sound-system/
No comments:
Post a Comment