The best home theatre systems (or home theater systems, if you’re in the US) can truly transform your entertainment experience, making a significant difference when it comes to watching films and TV shows and stepping up from a soundbar.
Whether you’ve struggled to hear dialogue in the past or found that the sound just didn’t live up to the visual experience, a quality home theatre system can change all of that. Imagine going from barely catching a whisper to hearing every word with crisp, spatial clarity, as if your ears had just been unblocked for the very first time. Add to that the immersive feeling of thunderous, rib-rattling explosions, deep bass notes, and a rich, balanced audio spectrum, and you’ll quickly realize why investing in a good sound system is worthwhile.
With that in mind, we’ve carefully curated a selection of the best surround sound systems available, designed to elevate your movie nights to new heights. Whether you’re after a full 5.1 surround sound setup or a more compact soundbar solution, we’ve got something for everyone. So, let’s dive in and explore the options!
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Quick list: what is the best home theater system?
The best home theater systems you can buy today:
1. Sonos Premium Immersive Set with Beam
| Sonos Premium Immersive Set with Beam specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
If you want a simple hassle-free setup for upgrading your setup, this package from Sonos is one of the best home theater systems around. Featuring the company’s critically acclaimed Beam (Gen 2), Sub (Gen 3), and a pair of the new Era 100 smart speakers, this is a perfect solution for those with an existing Sonos setup.
With Dolby Atmos support, a simple plug-and-play setup, and the bonus of Alexa or Sonos Voice control, this is a formidable setup if you want something a little smarter than traditional wooden cabinets and amplifiers. If you want to spend more on even bigger sound, you can upgrade to the Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc (check price) and two Era 300 speakers too.
2. Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Speaker Package
| Q Acoustics 3010i 5.1 Speaker Package specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 6 |
| Dolby Atmos | No |
If you fancy a full 5.1 speaker package without giant floor-standing speakers dominating the room, Q Acoustic’s compact yet mighty 3010i 5.1 package has you covered. With a design that walks the line between traditional and modern (while being available in a variety of finishes), it should slot into most living rooms without fuss, while still delivering its highly lauded sound performance.
With buckets of detail, balanced sound and a dedicated sub for tackling those booming blockbuster explosions, you’ll be surprised by just how immersive a more compact set of surround sound speakers can be. An ideal choice for those living in smaller spaces.
3. LG Soundbar S95QR Bundle
| LG Soundbar S95QR Bundle specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Those with an LG TV might want to consider one of LG’s top soundbars for a perfect pairing with their existing setup. Featuring a soundbar, a sub, and two rear speakers, this particular bundle has everything you need to elevate your viewing experience, with LG promising impressive spatial details thanks to a world-first implementation of triple up-firing channels.
Supporting formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Imax Enhanced, the soundbar can also cleverly make use of your supported LG TV’s sound processor to analyse the sound content for even better performance, while letting you use the same remote too.
4. Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package
| Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 6 |
| Dolby Atmos | No |
We’ve got a soft spot for Dali’s compressed wood fibre speaker cones, which are as iconic in their appearance as they are a pleasure to listen to. Available in a range of classic wooden finishes, the Oberon 5 5.1 speaker package is a handsome bit of kit, with plenty of raw power at its disposal, thanks to the inclusion of two towering floorstanding speakers.
Crisp and accurate enough to avoid the muddiness that you tend to find with lesser speakers, you’ll still find plenty of low-end performance too for some true room-shaking action. Oh, and as much as we love the cones, we’d still advise leaving the speaker grilles on if you share your abode with pets and/or children. Trust us on that one.
5. Samsung Q990D Cinematic Soundbar with Subwoofer and Rear Speakers
| Samsung Q990C Cinematic Soundbar with Subwoofer and Rear Speakers specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 4 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes |
Samsung’s aggressively angular soundbar looks like it means business, with impressive audio chops that back up its appearance. It’s packed with enticingly convenient specs including Wireless Dolby Atmos, this soundbar, rear speaker and sub-package recruits 22 speakers for a fully immersive, spatial, cinematic experience.
Other clever tricks include SpaceFit Sound Pro, which is a feature that uses a built-in mic to measure the acoustics of your room before equalising the speakers automatically. Overall, it’s a top choice for Samsung TV owners, especially thanks to its Q-Symphony feature, which lets you use the TV’s speakers at the same time for even more performance.
6. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP 5.1 Speaker Package
| Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP 5.1 Speaker Package specs | |
|---|---|
| Number of speakers | 6 |
| Dolby Atmos | No |
Wharfedale’s 5.1 speaker package based on its Diamond 12.1 range is an ideal choice for those looking for something high quality and packs a punch, without dominating your room like a full floor standing setup. Serving up rich, powerful bass, it’ll breathe new life into action films and powerful scores alike, while still remaining sensitive and controlled in the mid and high ranges.
Better yet, it’s just as well suited to music as it is blockbusters, which is a feat that some rivals fall short of. When paired with a decent amp, this is a traditionally styled setup that’ll make your on-screen action and music library really — in some cases, quite literally — sing.
How to choose the best home theater system
Set a budget: No matter if your idea is a soundbar, or a whole rack’s worth of receiver and other hi-fi gear plus a huge array of speakers – stick to your budget. Home theater systems can vary massively in cost. Also, bear in mind that passive setups like 5.1 speaker systems are going to need the purchase of one of the best amps that’s powerful enough to do them justice, so make sure that’s built into your budget too.
Number of speakers: Obviously the size of any system will depend on the size of your room, but you need to decide on how many units you want. You also need to consider if you just want a soundbar should you have a smaller room.
Prioritise: Be honest: do you want your money to buy the best sound possible, or do you want it to buy as much futuristic gadgetry as it can? The best kit isn’t necessarily the coolest. Consider what essentials you need first, such as Wi-Fi streaming.
Plan ahead: It’s like a job interview: where do you see yourself in five years’ time? If you imagine your system expanding into more rooms, say, or incorporating some home cinema action, you need to factor it in now.
For more information on building the perfect cinema sound system, read our guide on how to create the perfect home cinema, and if you’re short on space, don’t forget to check out our guide to the best soundbar – TV audio for every screen and budget.
Is 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound better?
Choosing between a 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound system largely depends on your room size, budget, and how immersive you want your audio experience to be.
A 5.1 system, consisting of five speakers and a subwoofer, is simpler to set up, more cost-effective, and takes up less space, making it ideal for smaller rooms. It provides a solid surround sound experience and is compatible with most audio content, making it a practical choice for many.
On the other hand, a 7.1 system includes two additional speakers, offering a more immersive audio experience by providing greater depth and spatial sound. This setup is best suited for larger rooms where the additional speakers can be properly positioned. While 7.1 systems can be more expensive and complex to set up, they are ideal for enthusiasts looking to future-proof their home theatre for content that supports 7.1 audio.
Ultimately, if budget and space allow, and maximum immersion is desired, a 7.1 system would be best, while a 5.1 system remains an excellent option for more straightforward and budget-conscious setups.
