The Best Home Theater Systems
Researching, buying, and installing a home theater system on your own can be intimidating. But the truth is, it doesn't need to be such a daunting task. With a little help on the research side (that's where we come in), you can get yourself an easy-to-install system with modern features like Bluetooth for a reasonable price. Below, we've chosen a few systems that are well-priced, produce high-quality audio, and are user-friendly enough for anyone to install without breaking a sweat. Keep reading to check out our favorite options on the market today.
What to Look For
While you search for a new home theater system, it’s a good idea to ask yourself the following questions: Is the system easy to install? Can I expand it in the future if I decide to? Does the system need to be powered by a receiver, and if so, does it come with one? With those questions in mind, we rounded up a few of our own favorites. Nakamichi’s Shockwafe Elite system is the creme de la creme, so if you have your sights set high, this system will deliver. What we find impressive about this bundle isn’t just the quantity of speakers that it includes — it’s also the high-fidelity sound these speakers produce. With that being said, not everyone needs such an elaborate setup. If you’re looking for an affordable system that packs a punch, Fluance has the perfect option for you. We’re sure you’ll find something here that fits your needs, so keep on reading to discover the rest of our favorites.
Polk Audio 3.1 Home Theater System
Speakers that tower above most
Few names in the game are as well-respected as Polk. With nearly a half-century’s worth of success under their belt, the folks at Polk have demonstrated that they simply know what they’re doing. If you’re looking for a 3.1 system that can reproduce the whole frequency range accurately and do it at a more-than-reasonable price, Polk’s system is hard to beat.
Pros:
- This system’s crisp and dulcet high-end frequencies are music to our ears.
- The system is quite easy to install, even for those with minimal tech know-how. This makes it a great gift for parents and older folks.
- The heavy-duty construction ensures the system’s longevity, making it a great investment that will keep your family entertained for years.
Cons:
- If you have big pets at home, you’ll want to make sure the towers are secured so that your pets don’t knock them over.
Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Home Theater
With a wireless subwoofer, two wireless surround speakers, and a soundbar, this compact system offers a convenient surround-sound solution to those living in tight quarters. The patented surround-sound technology creates a realistic soundstage in which each source seems sonically distinct. You don’t need to be a sound engineer to know that it’s not a good thing when your system’s audio output sounds are all blended together, and this setup ensures that’s not the case. On top of all that, you can use your TV’s remote control with this one, rather than having to add another annoying remote to the collection.
Pros:
- We’re happy to report that, unlike many audio systems, this pick works very well for dialogue. Plus, it’s easy to switch between pre-set sound modes for sports, movies, TV, and more.
- Installation is simple, thanks to the plug-and-play configuration, and built-in Chromecast integration gives you extra functionality right out of the box.
- For those living in shared spaces, this system’s night mode is a dream come true.
Cons:
- This system “forgets” its precise EQ settings when it enters sleep mode, so you’ll have to manually readjust those settings back to how you had them.
Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4
Looking to have the emperor over for movie night? Time to pull out the stops. If you want to transform your living room into a theater for real, this is where you should look. With growling dual subwoofers (wireless), a soundbar that puts other soundbars to shame, and two 2-way rear speakers capable of reminding you of what sonic bliss sounds like, this system easily brings the ambiance of the cinema into your cozy home. Sure, it’s a bit costly, but considering the marvelous build quality of the hardware, the near-universal compatibility, and the expandable configuration, this system is nothing to sneeze at.
Pros:
- This system’s excellent frequency response and realistic sound stage make music come to life.
- Rather than burying the bass notes under a truckload of treble, dual subwoofers make the low-end a mighty force to be reckoned with.
- This system makes a fantastic foundation for folks looking to build an all-around entertainment lounge.
Cons:
- Yes, it’s a bit costly, but if you’re serious about high-quality sound, it’s worth every penny.
Fluance Surround Sound System
Talk to an audiophile and they’ll tell you a sound system this inexpensive isn’t worth looking twice at. That’d be a poor assumption to make, though, because this setup from Fluance punches above its weight and then some. If you’re looking for twangling highs, the neodymium balanced silk dome tweeters have you covered. Want smooth, silky mids? No problem — the 6.5″ woofers on the floor-standing speakers can make that happen. Touting a center channel, two wall-mountable surround speakers, and two floor-standing tower speakers — all housed in rugged wood, by the way — this five-channel system will deliver. Do you want to land a bargain? Here’s your chance.
Pros:
- This system is an incredible deal for the price, especially because it’s so well-built. A design this rugged can be expected to last a long time.
- The sleek design can complement the decor of most homes, adding a modern, high-end look to your home theater setup.
Cons:
- This system doesn’t include a subwoofer, so to bring the low-end to life, you’ll need to purchase one separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What it does mean if a home theater system is “5.1”? What about “7.2”?
Take those two numbers and add them together. That’s how many channels your system has. Since 5 + 1 = 6, a 5.1 system has six channels. The “5” tells you how many standard speaker channels it has, and the “1” refers to the number of subwoofers it has. If you apply the same logic to a 7.2 system, you’d gather that it has seven standard channels and two subwoofer channels.
Please note that this number doesn’t necessarily mean the system you’re buying comes with that many speakers included. Rather, the number might mean, “this is how many speakers you could use with this system, although you’ll have to supply some of them on your own.” Be sure to read the product description to be sure of exactly what you’re getting.
What is a subwoofer, and do I need it?
A subwoofer is a type of speaker specially designed to reproduce sounds in the lower end of the frequency range. Standard woofers and tweeters are designed to reproduce mid-range and high-end frequencies well, but they fall short at delivering those rumbling bass tones that give depth to your soundstage. Though you don’t necessarily need one, a subwoofer will bring movies, video games, and music to life.
Do I need to buy a receiver?
Most speakers require a source of amplification. Speakers that don’t have their own built-in amplification are referred to as “passive” speakers. Typically, you’ll amplify passive speakers by buying a receiver, which has its own amplifier built-in. Unless your speakers are referred to as “active” speakers, then yes, you’ll need to amplify your speakers.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.