5 Speaker Surround Sound System – From surround sound and subwoofers to receiver pairings and wireless sound, we break down the best 5.1 home theater systems money can buy.
5.1-channel surround sound has become the benchmark for home theater sound, offering a much more impressive audio perception than conventional two-channel stereo. The format is growing in popularity and home entertainment editing with a 5.1 setup is easy today. If you’re planning to hop on the 5.1 train, check it out: we’ve rounded up the year’s most exciting home theater systems. And to complete your system, check out our list of the best AV receivers.
5 Speaker Surround Sound System
We have no doubt that ELAC’s new Debut 2.0 system will meet the needs of almost anyone looking for a good 5.1 setup. It’s the sound that does it for us. The sound quality has a huge dynamic range for the size of the speakers, with strong bass that makes you feel every thump, thump and blast. While it doesn’t have the detailed sound quality of something like the more expensive KEF T305, it also feels a bit more natural and engaging below. For most rooms, this is all you need.
Signature Series Hi Fi 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System With Bookshelf Speakers
Like most 5.1 packages, you’ll need to buy a separate receiver. In that case, we suggest you go for the Denon AVR-S750H, which not only packs all the great features found in its predecessor, the 740H, but also adds Dolby Atmos tone virtualization and HDMI eARC functionality. Together, the speaker package and receiver play beautifully, with the amps providing enough grunt to let the incredible F6.2 floor speakers do their thing. You could argue that the price could be a little lower, but that’s not an argument we’d support – they’re already fantastic value. And if you want to spend less, it is possible to opt for the AVR-S740H, the predecessor of the receiver in question.
The Monoprice HT-35 is a complete redesign of their old 33309 system, which previously held this position on our list. One of our biggest complaints about this system was the lackluster look, so we were very happy to see the HT-35 speakers address that issue head on. They look great, and while the sound lacks the detail we’re looking for (the Onkyo HT-S3910 beats it here), the HT-35 speakers still deserve a spot on this list.
The Monoprice HT-35 speaker set is pretty basic, which means you don’t need to spend a lot of money to power it. Despite not having Dolby or DTS:X, the Denon AVR-S540BT receiver packs a real audio sound. This model looks to offer the best of the Monoprice speakers, and for under $400, it packs an impressive array of features. We wish Denon would improve the aesthetic design of their receivers, apparently a problem they share with Monoprice, but boring designs seem to be the trend in the home theater industry.
Paradigm 5.1 Surround Sound System Paradigm Monitor Se 3000f Black
It’s one of the more expensive pairs on this list, but if you’re looking for an ideal combination that gives you near-perfect 5.1 sound, it’s a home run. KEF has a serious presence in the site’s home theater product reviews, and for good reason: their speakers are absolutely superb. The 305 is their flagship 5.1 system and features a combination of T301 and T101 satellites, which are much louder than traditional satellite speakers, as well as a phenomenal T-2 sub.
Here at The Master Switch we’re all about pairing. It’s not just about choosing the best receiver, it’s about choosing the best receiver for your speaker system. With this in mind, we feel that the Yamaha RX-V685 is an ideal foil for the detail and clarity of the T305 system. It offers a good range of features and sound quality. We’re also pleasantly surprised at how well a sub-$1,000 receiver stacks up against this $2,000 speaker system. If you’re looking for T305 speakers, the RX-V685 receiver is one of the best pairings out there.
How do we know this is the best system for small rooms? Because we have a small room. As much as we’d like to save the Master Switch bunker as a massive, cavernous Bond lair, it’s actually a compact office, so we have a good idea of what works in a small space and what doesn’t. Trust us when we say that the SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 system works great. The look of the speakers may be an acquired taste once you remove the grilles, but the clean, compact sound they deliver, supported by the incredible SB1000 subwoofer, is absolutely ideal for small spaces.
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They are powered by an excellent AV receiver: the Denon AVR-S750H. We’ve already checked this receiver, paired with the ELAC Debut 2.0 system in our top pick, and while we prefer it over that, the forgiving nature of the 750H means it pairs very well with a wide range of systems. It even offers extra speaker channels, in case you decide to add speakers later. If you have a small room, like most of us, but still want to experience great sound, we recommend this particular combination.
If you want surround sound for gaming, you need a system that delivers great sound at close range. The Logitech Z506 fits the bill. It offers fun, funky, bass-focused sound quality at an absolutely unbeatable price. It’s the most affordable package on this list, and while it’s not as reliable as the Onkyo HT-S3910, it still manages to perform well. A key selling point is that the Logitech Z506 doesn’t require a receiver to work when used with your computer; just plug it into your tower or laptop. However, you will need a receiver if you use it with your TV. We haven’t named any specific receivers here, but we suggest the wallet-friendly Pioneer VSX-532.
Despite the appeal of the Logitech Z506, we have to say that the sound is not perfect. These speakers really struggle with dialogue, which sounds muddy and unclear. This can be an offense if you watch a lot of movies. However, if you want to play, this is an affordable and effective way to get the job done. Logitech offers several packages, but we think the Z506 is the best value.
Amazon.com: Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
Sonos has made big inroads into the home theater world, which means other companies should be worried. In short, they already own the wireless home theater world. This complete system, which includes a subwoofer, a Dolby Atmos-enabled Arc soundbar, and two satellite speakers, is probably the easiest home theater package to install and use on this list. It’s an absolute dream, and while it doesn’t have the depth of something like the ELAC Debut 2.0 5.1, it still sounds great.
The most striking aspect of the Sonos 5.1 Surround set is that it’s a closed ecosystem, meaning it won’t work with other brands of speakers or receivers. This can be a problem if you want to upgrade later, although you can always add additional Sonos One satellite speakers. For other wireless options, see the Enclave and Axiim systems, below. And if you want to experience Sonos sound at a more affordable price, they offer the Beam soundbar home theater system, a cheaper alternative to the Arc. This 5.1 package costs $1,456, though we think it’s a lower option than that.
Jamo is a relatively low-key brand, little known outside of the home theater space. But they do do some great stuff, including their flagship S-809 HCS system. It offers exceptional audio quality, very comparable to the top rated ELAC Debut 2.0 5.1. It also has some innovative features: the company manufactures the Dolby Atmos speakers, and there are slots in the S-809 system’s floor stands to insert them, making it easy to expand later. One thing we don’t understand: Even though the company makes subwoofers, they don’t offer home theater packages that include them. We don’t think that’s reason enough to exclude such a good package from the list, but it’s still an odd choice.
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To get the most out of this system, you need to look for a working audio receiver that prioritizes power and energy over flashy features. We can’t think of a better choice than the Pioneer VSX-934, which offers 135 watts of power and really seems to bring out the best of Jamo speakers. An alternative would be the popular Sony STR-DN1080 ($598), but that’s more expensive and the Pioneer does a better job here. It also offers additional Sonos channels and functionality, making it relatively future-proof. The Jamo/Pioneer combo isn’t the best choice here, but we’ve definitely looked into it.
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