Best Products > Audio 83 83 people found this article helpful The 5 Best Surround Sound Speakers of 2023 Bring the movie theater experience into your living room By Erika Rawes Erika Rawes Twitter Writer University of Maryland Erika Rawes has written for Digital Trends, USA Today, and Cheatsheet.com and has tested dozens of consumer technology products for multiple tech sites. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 28, 2023 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Audio Speakers Headphones Earbuds Home Theater Instruments Accessories The best surround sound speakers make you feel part of the action. But there are many things to consider, from the number of speakers (such as 5.1, 7.1, and 9.1 setups) to connectivity, which can also be a huge issue when connecting several speakers to a single source. Here are our recommendations for the best surround sound speakers for your home entertainment system. The Rundown Best Soundbar: Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Vizio SB36512-F6 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Splurge: Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Design: Klipsch Reference Theater Pack at Amazon Jump to Review Best Compact: Monoprice HT-35 at Walmart Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For in a Surround Sound Speaker FAQ Best Soundbar Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video What We Like Supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Excellent bass with two wireless subs No receiver needed What We Don't Like Bluetooth only (no Wi-Fi) Our review of a similar model 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 Lifewire / Bill Loguidice Best Budget Vizio SB36512-F6 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Includes satellite speakers and woofer Wireless connectivity Good value What We Don't Like Small woofer Our review of a similar model 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 Lifewire / Emily Ramirez Best Splurge Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Intelligent engineering Powerful bass Clean design What We Don't Like Some distortion on loudest volume levels 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 The 5 Best Klipsch Speakers of 2023 Best Design Klipsch Reference Theater Pack Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Adorama.com What We Like Excellent build quality Great sound Gorgeous aesthetic What We Don't Like Small front and rear speakers 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 How Do I Position Loudspeakers for My Home Theater System? Best Compact Monoprice HT-35 4.2 Monoprice View On Walmart View On Monoprice.com What We Like Good for small spaces Affordable Solid build quality What We Don't Like Not the most powerful system Monoprice HT-35 5.1-Channel Home Theater System Review The Monoprice HT-35 is an excellent option for those who want a system that won’t take up too much space. It features four satellite speakers, a center driver, and an eight-inch subwoofer. Each satellite speaker stands just 7.5 inches tall and weighs less than three pounds. The center speaker measures 10.2 inches long and stands 4.3 inches high, weighing just three pounds. The subwoofer is a 12.2-inch cube and weighs less than 20 pounds. Such lightweight and small speakers mean you can quickly and easily set them up or change the configuration without a fuss. The backs of each speaker feature universal mounting holes for wall placement options when floor space is at a premium. While this system is small, it delivers a big sound. The subwoofer gives you up to 200 watts of power for deep, punchy low ranges. The system supports 5.1 channel audio so that you can adjust each speaker individually for the best listening experience. Lifewire / Emily Ramirez What to Look For in a Surround Sound Speaker Room Size Before you look at the power output of a set of speakers, consider the size of your room. If it’s on the small side (7x10 feet), you might not need too much power, and you can save a bit of money by buying a compact system. However, don't hold back if you have an expansive room (15x20 feet) to fill. Go for a full-size, full-range system with more than one woofer. 5.1 vs. 7.1 A 5.1-channel setup has five small speakers and a subwoofer, while a 7.1-channel setup includes two additional speakers. The other speakers provide richer sound but can get pricier. In most cases, a 5.1-channel setup is more than enough, but a 7.1-channel setup can sound very impressive if you're looking to splurge. Look at our overview of 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 channel systems if you're unsure what you have or want. Lifewire / Emily Ramirez Wired vs Wireless A wired setup will have an edge in sound quality, but if you don’t mind sacrificing sound in the name of design, go for a wireless setup. (We have tips for hiding those unsightly wires.) Wireless connectivity is typically offered through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Most home theater systems also have wireless subwoofers that pair automatically with the rest of your devices for improved bass. FAQ Where should you place your surround speakers? The ideal surround sound placement will depend on your room and whether you're using a 5.1, 7.1, or a 9.1 setup. However, there are a couple of evergreen rules to follow regardless of how many speakers you're using. You should try to have your speakers equidistant from each other with surround speakers placed in the corners around your listening area. You should also try to keep your speakers free of obstructions and away from alcoves, and if you can safely mount them on a wall, even better. Will the distance of your speakers from the receiver affect sound quality? Yes, while it's not always possible, for the best audio quality, you'll want to keep the length of cable tethering your speakers to your receiver as short as possible, although your sound quality won't suffer very much unless they're 25 feet or more from your receiver. For any wired speakers, you should use a 14-gauge cable, and potentially use a 12-gauge cable for any speakers extending past 25 feet from the receiver. How many subwoofers do you need? This all depends on the size of your room, but more subwoofers give you a better bass quality and offer you more flexible placement when looking for the best spot for optimal sound quality. However, having more than a single subwoofer in a very small listening area may be overkill. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit