Which surround sound system to buy




















You can even get ones with advanced features like Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. The one thing that isn't typically possible is the ability to upgrade them -- though some soundbars pair with optional, separate subwoofers and rear speakers. If you want to truly mix and match speakers, then an AV receiver is for you. Receivers offer a lot in a fairly chunky box and, unlike soundbars, they have numerous HDMI inputs to accommodate many different sources.

The ability to tailor your system as you see fit can also be an engaging hobby. If you decide to go the home theater route, you don't necessarily need a set of surround-sound speakers , not initially at least. I ran a Marantz AV receiver in stereo with a pair of Bowers and Wilkins stand-mount speakers for about five years and didn't feel I was missing out. Whichever route you choose -- soundbars or AV systems -- there should be something here for you.

These are the best home theater systems available right now. We'll update this list periodically as we review new products. When it comes to bang for buck, it doesn't get much better than the Roku Streambar home theater system.

This speaker offers both a dialogue-enhancing soundbar and a built-in 4K streamer in one package. If you want more bass, or surround speakers, the system is also upgradable. You can choose the speaker package. Read our Roku Streambar review. This set features big sound from a compact 5. The ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, and basically means that along with the initial transference of data from a device such as a games console to your TV, you can now go the other way, from your TV to a receiver or soundbar.

If this is you, get yourself a new TV — the difference between your old box and one a decade younger will astound you. From full-on, bespoke surround sound systems, to state-of-the-art, slimline soundbars, the options for a cinematic experience in your front room are ample.

Our testing process began with shutting the windows and apologising to our neighbours, as we set up each system and tested via a wide variety of musical genres, from rap to classical, and vocal performance from podcasts, television and some of our favourite films.

We tested for clarity of sound, tunefulness, volume levels, and aesthetics, along with ease of installation and use. The i cinema pack from Q Acoustics has everything you need to produce a faithful, detailed cinema sound in your front room. For the small real estate this system actually takes up, the sound is phenomenal: Q Acoustics is a proper hi-fi company, and you can hear this immediately with any soundtrack or album: everything is in complete balance. The cinema pack fills any mid-sized room, and most above, with a sophisticated soundscape, no matter the task.

Dali make great-looking, classic speakers, and the oberon range is the pick of the bunch. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Alexa have all been added to the package, giving this more compact soundbar much more under its trunk. This is the slimmest 5. Although this one is out of stock at the moment, you can sign up to be notified when it becomes available again.

Fyne is still a young buck when it comes to the speaker market, but the brand has produced some products worthy of the attention of any audiophile. The rear-ported nature of the speakers adds some extra body to the sound, creating a true, balanced surround-sound effect. The floorstanding F speakers are a particular highlight, producing a dynamic sound even at a lower volume. The Bose range has more smarts than you ever thought you needed, giving you the seamless choice between Alexa and Google Assistant.

However, those of you au fait with the Bose ecosystem will love it, and in that case, the range is a solid option. The Danes have done it again. And what about multi-speaker systems? Our experts don't necessarily prefer the sound quality they produce to that of a sound bar or a mini hi-fi. However, there are certain things that only a multi-speaker system can give you, such as true surround sound.

Sound bars integrate several speakers into one long rectangular box. With fewer wires, these sound systems can simply sit in front of your TV or be fixed below a wall-mounted set. Many sound bars also come with a separate subwoofer speaker — usually a sizeable rectangular box, housing large-diameter speakers that can produce low-frequency sounds ie.

These subwoofers are sometimes wireless, although they still have to be plugged in to a wall socket to get power. TV shows are generally recorded in stereo, so a more expensive multi-speaker home cinema set-up is often unnecessary. Our Best Buy sound bars deliver fantastic sound quality, whether you're watching Aliens or Antiques Roadshow. Read our sound bar reviews to find the best sound bar. Home cinema systems usually take the form of a Blu-ray or DVD player along with an amplifier, and multiple speakers.

These typically give you '5. The '5' refers to the five main speakers: two positioned behind you to the right and left, and three front speakers, which go left, right and centre of the TV. The '1' indicates the number of subwoofers. Although 5. You can also buy surround sound systems with an amplifier unit or 'receiver' , though not a Blu-ray or DVD player, but it's the full package that is usually termed a 'home cinema system'.

If you already own a player, it's likely to be cheaper to just buy a surround sound system. Do carefully check what's included, though, as some manufacturers and retailers use the terms interchangeably.



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