The greatest Surround Sound systems are recommended, and we’ll examine everything you need to think about in this guide. You’ll have all the information you require at the end to start making confident purchases. Choosing between a speaker bundle and a soundbar is the first important decision. What other devices you want to plug into it and how much space you have available for a system will all be important factors.
The ideal choice for the majority of households is a soundbar. The combination of speakers and amplifiers into a more covert container makes it a simpler, more elegant solution. Dolby Atmos, which many soundbars already have and which is excellent at simulating surround sound. Can be expanded into a real multi-channel system by adding more speakers. It’s also possible to purchase soundbar packages that include wireless surround speakers and a subwoofer. These speakers are smaller and easier to place than full-size ones, but they still need to be placed close to a power source. Here are the Best Surround Sound Systems!
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ToggleSamsung Harman Kardon HW-Q90R
In terms of wireless surround sound systems, Samsung is one of the top brands. Two of the more than a dozen various wireless systems they have already introduced—of which you may find two on this list—are included here. The HW-Q range was developed in collaboration with Harman Kardon, a Samsung subsidiary. The majority of Samsung’s wireless surround sound systems are straightforward soundbar/subwoofer combinations that simply mimic surround sound. But, their premium versions, which include additional surround speakers, can be regarded as true surround sound systems.
The top-tier wireless surround sound system from Samsung is the HW-Q90R. The wireless surround speakers and subwoofer that come with this 7.1.4 system allow for object-based surround sound simulation. The performance is incredible and the amount of cords required is kept to a minimum. Cost is by far the main issue. A little under $1,500 will get you a Q90R. Its optimization for Samsung QLED TVs is another drawback. Other TVs will be fine, but you won’t be able to take advantage of all the features and enjoy all the advantages.
Sonos Arc
The Arc is a great companion for 55-inch and larger TVs and can be mounted on the wall or directly to your furniture with the optional £79/$79/AU$99 mount. Who requires a ton of boxes?
On the bar, there are touch-sensitive play/pause and volume buttons. AirPlay 2, Ethernet, and eARC for Dolby Atmos from compatible TVs round out the networking options. 11 drivers total, some of which are firing and directed toward your room to bounce sound off your walls and ceiling, are used by the Sonos Arc to create your surround sound field. Overall, a soundbar performs impressively in terms of surround sound.
Two One SL back speakers (£358/$358/AU$538) and, if necessary, a Sub (£699/$699/AU$999) may be added to the Arc to make it part of a larger surround system. You are taken right into the thick of the action. The surround effects are beautifully placed, and the audio also has excellent vitality and weight. It may sound a little bit more direct, but it has a wonderful balance of tones if you just want to listen to music. But there’s no denying that for the price, this soundbar delivers a ton of impressive sound.
Sony’s HT-A9
With its promise of an even, homogeneous, and immersive sound field regardless of the symmetry of your setup, Sony’s HT-A9 Wireless Home Theatre System encourages customers to position their speakers randomly.
How does it perform this magic? The HT-A9 is compatible with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, which measures the height and width of your space and blends it with speaker distance and proximity. By placing 12 ‘phantom’ speakers fictitiously all around that audio bubble, the goal is to produce an Atmos-like dome of sound. The wide dispersion of the HT-speakers A9 is immediately noticeable and certainly excellent. Though we still maintain a fair dose of skepticism regarding phantom channels and sound bubbles. In comparison to other soundbar packages we’ve examined, it creates a refined precision and texture that is more immersive. The sound design never feels out of sync or takes away from the action on the screen, regardless of how haphazardly our speaker placements are. Which makes the HT-A9 a great option for folks who aren’t willing to sacrifice their furniture arrangement for surround sound.
Additionally, you can add one of two optional subwoofers for a total cost of £699, $700, or $899. Or for a lesser cost of £449, $400, or $599, respectively, if you want more punch.
Wharfedale DX-2
When you have a small home, it’s natural to balk at the idea of installing a complete 5.1 surround sound system. But Wharfedale has the perfect solution. The Wharfedale DX-2 speaker package is a follow-up to the excellent DX-1HCP and DX-1SE speaker packages. It is a small, endearing, and incredibly capable 5.1 surround speaker package that has already seen a significant discount off of its launch price.
As you increase your budget, speaker bundles with bigger, clearer, and more articulate sound (like the Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack) become available. However, their price is double that of the Wharfedale. It’s surprising how much Wharfedale packed into the tiny DX-2 package—the exciting performance, the small-but-stylish design, and the affordable pricing. It’s a fantastic option for AV enthusiasts with limited funds and space.
Sony HT-A7000
The HT-A7000 soundbar, the company’s flagship model, continues Sony’s stellar reputation for soundbars. This Dolby Atmos soundbar fits a 7.1.2 slab of sound, two up-firing speakers, two beam tweeters, and five front-facing drivers. And an integrated dual subwoofer into a single chassis. Whether you’re watching immersive content or not. The Sony HT-A700 creates a wide and high soundstage while maintaining musicality, presence, and detail.
The performance is comparable to the Sonos Arc’s in terms of height and accuracy. But the Sonos Arc’s performance sounds more believable due to the wider soundstage and forward projection. Although it doesn’t quite match direct audio coming from the speaker above or to the side. It still enhances the viewing experience by being effective and dramatically alluring. Another noteworthy component is the integrated sub, which performs tautly, carefully, and powerfully.