{"id":5416,"date":"2020-12-30T16:53:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T16:53:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/?p=5416"},"modified":"2022-03-15T17:48:07","modified_gmt":"2022-03-15T17:48:07","slug":"the-best-home-theater-systems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/the-best-home-theater-systems\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Home Theater Systems"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>What to Look For<\/h2>\n<p>While you search for a new home theater system, it&#8217;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&#8217;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&#8217;t just the quantity of speakers that it includes \u2014 it&#8217;s also the high-fidelity sound these speakers produce. With that being said, not everyone needs such an elaborate setup. If you&#8217;re looking for an affordable system that packs a punch, Fluance has the perfect option for you. We&#8217;re sure you&#8217;ll find something here that fits your needs, so keep on reading to discover the rest of our favorites.<\/p>\n<h2>Polk Audio 3.1 Home Theater System<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Complete-Subwoofer-Speakers\/dp\/B07TZ7RJ3W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Complete-Subwoofer-Speakers\/dp\/B07TZ7RJ3W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31+b0xq+EbL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Complete-Subwoofer-Speakers\/dp\/B07TZ7RJ3W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Speakers that tower above most<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">If you're looking for a bundle with tower speakers, this is one of the best ones money can buy.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best Overall<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Complete-Subwoofer-Speakers\/dp\/B07TZ7RJ3W\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>Few names in the game are as well-respected as Polk. With nearly a half-century&#8217;s worth of success under their belt, the folks at Polk have demonstrated that they simply know what they&#8217;re doing. If you&#8217;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&#8217;s system is hard to beat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This system&#8217;s crisp and dulcet high-end frequencies are music to our ears.<\/li>\n<li>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.<\/li>\n<li>The heavy-duty construction ensures the system&#8217;s longevity, making it a great investment that will keep your family entertained for years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you have big pets at home, you&#8217;ll want to make sure the towers are secured so that your pets don&#8217;t knock them over.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Home Theater<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Surround-Performance-Subwoofer\/dp\/B0753ZLK2H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Surround-Performance-Subwoofer\/dp\/B0753ZLK2H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/31+CFxEmEhL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Surround-Performance-Subwoofer\/dp\/B0753ZLK2H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Straight to the point<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">If you want a more streamlined setup, this is your pick.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Most Compact<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Polk-Audio-Surround-Performance-Subwoofer\/dp\/B0753ZLK2H\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>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&#8217;t need to be a sound engineer to know that it&#8217;s not a good thing when your system&#8217;s audio output sounds are all blended together, and this setup ensures that&#8217;s not the case. On top of all that, you can use your TV&#8217;s remote control with this one, rather than having to add another annoying remote to the collection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We&#8217;re happy to report that, unlike many audio systems, this pick works very well for dialogue. Plus, it&#8217;s easy to switch between pre-set sound modes for sports, movies, TV, and more.<\/li>\n<li>Installation is simple, thanks to the plug-and-play configuration, and built-in Chromecast integration gives you extra functionality right out of the box.<\/li>\n<li>For those living in shared spaces, this system&#8217;s night mode is a dream come true.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This system &#8220;forgets&#8221; its precise EQ settings when it enters sleep mode, so you&#8217;ll have to manually readjust those settings back to how you had them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Nakamichi-Shockwafe-Elite-7-2Ch-DTS\/dp\/B07HJ2M2Z6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Nakamichi-Shockwafe-Elite-7-2Ch-DTS\/dp\/B07HJ2M2Z6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41t6gjoFjpL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Nakamichi-Shockwafe-Elite-7-2Ch-DTS\/dp\/B07HJ2M2Z6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Music to my ears<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">If you're looking to splurge, this is a fantastic system.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best For Audiophiles<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Nakamichi-Shockwafe-Elite-7-2Ch-DTS\/dp\/B07HJ2M2Z6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>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\u00a0<em>real,\u00a0<\/em>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&#8217;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.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This system&#8217;s excellent frequency response and realistic sound stage make music come to life.<\/li>\n<li>Rather than burying the bass notes under a truckload of treble, dual subwoofers make the low-end a mighty force to be reckoned with.<\/li>\n<li>This system makes a fantastic foundation for folks looking to build an all-around entertainment lounge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Yes, it&#8217;s a bit costly, but if you&#8217;re serious about high-quality sound, it&#8217;s worth every penny.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Fluance Surround Sound System<\/h2>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fluance-SXHTB-BK-Definition-Including-Floorstanding\/dp\/B009ZT3Z86\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><div class=\"amazon-card\"><div class=\"product-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fluance-SXHTB-BK-Definition-Including-Floorstanding\/dp\/B009ZT3Z86\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><img title='' alt='' src='https:\/\/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com\/images\/I\/41XSP6Oe5zL.jpg' \/><\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-details\"><h3 class=\"product-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fluance-SXHTB-BK-Definition-Including-Floorstanding\/dp\/B009ZT3Z86\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Have your cake and eat it<\/a><\/h3><div class=\"product-summary\">This system offers the perfect balance between cost and quality.<\/div><\/div><div class='product-award'><div>Best Value<\/div><\/div><p class=\"find-in-btn-wrap\"><a class=\"find-in-btn btn-amazon product-amazon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Fluance-SXHTB-BK-Definition-Including-Floorstanding\/dp\/B009ZT3Z86\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Find on Amazon<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/a>\n<p>Talk to an audiophile and they&#8217;ll tell you a sound system this inexpensive isn&#8217;t worth looking twice at. That&#8217;d be a poor assumption to make, though, because this setup from Fluance punches above its weight and then some. If you&#8217;re looking for twangling highs, the neodymium balanced silk dome tweeters have you covered. Want smooth, silky mids? No problem \u2014 the 6.5&#8243; 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 \u2014 all housed in rugged wood, by the way \u2014 this five-channel system will deliver. Do you want to land a bargain? Here&#8217;s your chance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This system is an incredible deal for the price, especially because it&#8217;s so well-built. A design this rugged can be expected to last a long time.<\/li>\n<li>The sleek design can complement the decor of most homes, adding a modern, high-end look to your home theater setup.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This system doesn&#8217;t include a subwoofer, so to bring the low-end to life, you&#8217;ll need to purchase one separately.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<p><b>What it does mean if a home theater system is &#8220;5.1&#8221;? What about &#8220;7.2&#8221;?<br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<p>Take those two numbers and add them together. That&#8217;s how many channels your system has. Since 5 + 1 = 6, a 5.1 system has six channels. The &#8220;5&#8221; tells you how many standard speaker channels it has, and the &#8220;1&#8221; refers to the number of subwoofers it has. If you apply the same logic to a 7.2 system, you&#8217;d gather that it has seven standard channels and two subwoofer channels.<\/p>\n<p>Please note that this number doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean the system you&#8217;re buying comes with that many speakers included. Rather, the number might mean, &#8220;this is how many speakers you <em>could\u00a0<\/em>use with this system, although you&#8217;ll have to supply some of them on your own.&#8221; Be sure to read the product description to be sure of exactly what you&#8217;re getting.<\/p>\n<p><b>What is a subwoofer, and do I need it?<\/b><\/p>\n<p>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&#8217;t necessarily need one, a subwoofer will bring movies, video games, and music to life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Do I need to buy a receiver?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Most speakers require a source of amplification. Speakers that don&#8217;t have their own built-in amplification are referred to as &#8220;passive&#8221; speakers. Typically, you&#8217;ll amplify passive speakers by buying a receiver, which has its own amplifier built-in. Unless your speakers are referred to as &#8220;active&#8221; speakers, then yes, you&#8217;ll need to amplify your speakers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to Look For While you search for a new home theater system, it&#8217;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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5416"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5416"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5416\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29371,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5416\/revisions\/29371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gamerevolution.engagingreview.com\/reviews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}