The 5 Best Surround Sound Speakers of 2023

Best Soundbar

Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4

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If you want full surround sound with booming bass but don’t want to invest in an expensive home theater receiver, the Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite soundbar is smart. This system has a lot of power with 14 drivers (including two down-firing wireless woofers with the Elite version). You get the Dolby Atmos soundbar in the package, two eight-inch wireless subwoofers, and two (two-way) rear surround speakers. Together, the system sounds better than most traditional surround sound speaker configurations. Our reviewer Bill Loguidice, who looked at a similar model, was impressed by the surround sound simulation and powerful audio output that worked well with his home theater system.

The soundbar has an HDMI ARC port, three additional HDMI ports, an optical port, and a coax input, so you can easily connect your gaming console, TV, projector, or Blu-ray player and get started. With Dolby Vision and HDR pass-through, you get a clear picture with your surround sound. Bluetooth connectivity lets you wirelessly stream music, while the system’s sleek and compact design will make your theater room look fabulous.

_{Channels: 7.2 | Wireless: Yes | Inputs: 3in/1 out (ARC)| Digital Assistant: None | Number of Speakers: 2}

Best Budget

Vizio SB36512-F6

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If you want a home theater audio system but don't want to break the bank, check out the Vizio 5.1.2 system. This home theater system includes a 36-inch soundbar, two rear satellite speakers, and a wireless six-inch subwoofer. The soundbar features upward-firing drivers, so your music and movie audio doesn't get lost in furniture or muddled by bouncing off the walls. During her testing, Emily found the sound clear and precisely tuned for the film. With the Vizio Smartcast app, you can turn your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for the speakers and stream your favorite songs, shows, and movie audio to different rooms when used with compatible Vizio components. 

With Chromecast built-in, you can stream music from apps like Spotify and Pandora. You can also connect your Google Assistant device for hands-free voice controls and smart home integration. With Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, you can listen to your favorite songs from your phone or tablet. Each speaker features a compact design for better placement options and to fit almost any modern decor. They also use DTS Virtual X technology to produce the cleanest audio possible.

_{Channels: 5.1.2 | Wireless: Yes | Inputs: None | Digital Assistant: Google Assistant | Number of Speakers: 2}

Best Splurge

Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800

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If money is no object, there's no shortage of surround sound speaker options that can range into the thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. However, for practicality, we're focusing on "splurge" options for everyone. Our top choice, the Definitive Technology ProCinema 800, is an undeniable performer that punches well above its pay grade.

Both movie dialogue and the respective soundtracks produce a deep bass better than other options around the high price point. Unfortunately, the Definitive subwoofer won't rattle your bones like some higher-end Bose or Klipsch models, but the experience is still immersive and wildly enjoyable. On a similar note, Definitive's speakers won't take you to full volume without distortion, but we want to hear only a handful of cinematic moments as loud as possible.

Definitive is best described as detail-rich, preserving the fidelity of a soundtrack while allowing for all the simultaneous effects to be heard and enjoyed. The 300-watt subwoofer paired with the center speaker and satellites are all well regarded on their own, but together they create an incredible value in high-performance audio. There's little question you'll end up feeling like the ProCinema 800 offers both value and a high-end experience that belies its price tag.

_{Channels: 5.1 | Wireless: No | Inputs: 3 HDMI | Digital Assistant: No | Number of Speakers: 5}

Best Design

Klipsch Reference Theater Pack

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The Klipsch brand is well known for its premium audio hardware, and its Reference Theater Pack delivers a pre-matched 5.1 surround sound experience that’s truly stunning, visually and acoustically. The pieces are compact, with a minimal footprint that fits nicely in a small to medium-sized room. But while the set can blend in size-wise, especially with the grills on, you can also leave them off and let Klipsch’s signature spun-copper woofers catch the eye. The center channel and four satellite speakers all feature this unique construction, which, along with the horn-loaded tweeters, minimizes distortion and produces clean, detailed sound.

Delivering the low end is a down-firing eight-inch subwoofer with surprisingly robust bass output for its size. Its frequency response ranges from 38 to 120 Hz, and its amplifier is rated for 50-watt RMS (continuous power) and 150-watt peak power. The best part is that it’s wireless, allowing you to place it wherever it fits and sounds best in your room.

_{Channels: 5.1 | Wireless: Yes | Inputs: 3 HDMI | Digital Assistant: No | Number of Speakers: 5}