If you are looking for the best surround sound speakers for your home theater setup, you’re in the right place.
In this review, we feature the best surround sound speakers for your home cinema system that deliver crystal clear sound and 3D sound effects. These surround sound speakers are great for home cinema and can reproduce vibrant sounds for a full cinematic listening experience. They also come with dedicated subwoofers for deep bass response and powerful volume output. Furthermore, some of these surround sound speakers are equipped with Dolby Atmos to provide 360 sound effects with three-dimensional sound performance. If you are looking for the best surround sound speakers home cinema, be sure to check out our top picks below!
Not sure what to choose? Our editors highly recommend the Definitive Technology Cinema 800 surround sound speakers for their immersive 3D sound and deep bass.
Best Surround Sound Speakers – Our top 3 picks
| Top 3 Best Surround Sound Speakers | ||
| DT Pro Cinema 800 | Polk Audio T Series 5 | Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro |
 |  |  |
| ✔️3D surround sound ✔️300W subwoofer ✔️Upgradable to 7.1
| ✔️Dolby and DTS ✔️Spacious surround ✔️Wood grain build
| ✔️Wireless system ✔️Dolby Vision ✔️4K ultra-HD
|
Compare the Best Surround Sound Speakers
| Picture | Speaker | Power Output | Configuration | Connectivity |
| Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 | 300W (subwoofer) | 5.1 surround | Wired |
| Polk Audio T Series 5 | 100W (subwoofer) | 5.1 surround | Wired |
| Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 System | 800W | 7.1.4 surround | Wireless |
 | JBL Bar 2.1 | 300W | 2.1 surround | Wireless |
 | Martin Logan Motion 60XT | 400W | 2.0 speakers | Wired |
 | Polk Audio Signa S2 | 80W | 5.1 surround | Wireless |
 | Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR | 400W | 5.1 surround | Wireless |
 | Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos Speakers | 125W | 2.0 | Wired |
 | Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V | Undisclosed | 5.1 surround | Wired |
 | Sony Z9F Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers | 400W | 3.1 Surround | Wireless |
 | Yamaha YHT-4950U | 400W | 5.1 surround | Wired |
 | Polk Audio FXI A6 | 150W | 2.1 surround | Wired |
 | Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q6CR | 360 watts | 5.1 surround | Wireless |
 | Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 | 1000W | 5.1 surround | Wired |
 | Onkyo HT-S3900 | 190W | 5.1 surround | Wired |
View the Best Surround Sound Speakers below
#1 Best Surround Sound Speakers: Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800
Configuration: 5.1 surround channel system
Key Specs: BDSS drivers, 300-watt subwoofer, wall-mountable
What we liked: Deep mid-low bass performance, 3D sound
What we don’t: Slightly pricey home cinema system
The Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 is one of the best surround sound speakers you can find. This is a full-fledged home cinema system that delivers three-dimensional sound performance with crystal clear dialogues and deep bass. It also comes with exclusive BDSS drivers that ensure high-definition sound performance. This surround sound system comes with a dedicated 300-watt powered subwoofer for extra bass impact.
We like the sound performance of the Pro Cinema 800 speakers. They deliver superb mid/bass range with a rich and powerful low-end. The entire speaker system and side speakers deliver crisp and clear surround sound, allowing you to pick up minute details in movies and music. The dialogue from these speakers is crystal clear and penetrating; it feels as though you are sitting in a real life cinema with this setup.
The Pro Cinema 800 includes BDSS drivers for crystal clear sound reproduction. The speakers are also equipped with pure aluminium dome tweeters and planar bass radiators for deeper bass reproduction. It also comes with a 300-watt powered subwoofer that really adds bass kick to the overall sound signature. The net bass radiating area of the 600 subwoofer is 27% greater than a single 10” subwoofer with better frequency range.
We also liked the fact that these surround sound speakers are easily wall-mountable using the built-in keyhole mount or stand mount. The center channel speaker has an adjustable foot for shelf-mounting or can be wall-mounted using articulating brackets.
Although this is a 5.1 surround sound channel configuration, you can easily transform it into a 7.1 surround sound system by adding 2 Pro Monitor 800 satellite speakers to this setup configuration.
The Verdict? It’s hard to compete with the balanced, clear and articulate imaging that the Definitive Technology Pro Cinema 800 has to offer. It provides an excellent movie experience with great sound dispersion and soundstage imaging, giving you to feeling that you are sitting in a real life cinema while listening to this system.
#2 Best Surround Sound System: Polk Audio T Series 5 Home Theater System
Configuration: 5.1 channel home theater bundle
Key Specs: Dolby and DTS surround sound supported
What we liked: Easily upgradable to 7.1 or 9.1 configuration
What we don’t: Lacks a dedicated subwoofer (uses built-in woofers in the floorstanding speakers)
The Polk Audio T Series 5 is hands down one of the best surround sound speakers with Dolby and DTS surround sound. The entire system delivers massive sound from a combined 15 speakers – each bookshelf speaker comes with a 5.25” driver and a 0.75” tweeter, while each tower speaker has a 6.5” driver, 1” tweeter and 6.5” bass radiator. All the speakers are equipped with Polk’s proprietary dynamic balance technology with wide dispersion and minimal distortion sound performance.
We liked the surround sound performance of the Polk Audio 5 Series 5 system. They sound extremely clear with accurate full-range sound reproduction and good bass response. They can handle transitions between complex music notes with faithful sound reproduction. The speakers can handle both acoustic and electronic musical notes, and create a 3D soundstage that feels very satisfying to be immersed in.
The level of three-dimensional sound that you get with these speakers is superb. You can hear details in movies and dialogues that you’d probably never heard before, such as the subtle fall of rain or the rustling of leaves in the wind. Every detail is reproduced with cinematic precision.
Furthermore, these Polk speakers are compatible with most home theater AV receivers and subwoofers for different setup options. You can use this 5.1 surround sound channel system as it is or upgrade to a 7.1 system with two additional Polk speakers.
These speakers also feel premium with durable high quality construction. All the speakers are housed in MDF cabinets to reduce sonic resonance. They are also equipped for DTS and Dolby surround sound performance.
The Verdict? The Polk Audio T Series 5 is one of the best surround sound system you can find. It delivers really clean three-dimensional sound performance with crystal clear sound reproduction. The thing that we loved most about this setup is the soundstage – these speakers have plenty of sonic presence and imaging, immersing you in every single detail in movie cinematics.
#3 Best Wireless Surround Sound System: Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 System
Configuration: 7.1.4 channel surround sound ssytem
Key Specs: Dolby Atmos soundbar with wireless 8” subwoofer
What we liked: Dolby Vision, 4K UHD pass-through, HDR support
What we don’t: Slightly pricey surround sound speakers
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro is a massive surround sound speaker system that delivers over 600 watts of sound performance. They feature movie theater acoustics with true 360 degree Dolby Atmos surround sound, and can recreate a cinema experience within your home. The entire system also comes with two rear surround sound speakers with surround elevation technology to create a realistic listening environment. If you are looking for some of the best surround sound speakers with full 7.1.4 channel sound, go for the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro.
We like that the Nakamichi sound system features 3 advanced audio processing engines which work in harmony to deliver spacious audio and extra detailed sound performance. The entire 7.1.4 channel sound system delivers crystal clear audio with 105dB of room-filling sound performance. The bass output on these speakers also hits hard, adding a layer of punch to movie cinematics.
One of the things we liked about these surround sound speakers is the wider soundstage and listening area that it delivers. It has an outward firing tweeter that creates a 35% wider soundstage than conventional soundbars. The 2-way speakers also produce spacious and dynamic surround sound that makes it feel as though you are sitting in a real life movie theater.
Furthermore, the rear speakers in the Nakamichi system feature a high-frequency tweeter for crystal clear ambient effects and a full-range driver for directional sound. This allows you to get 3D sound with a level of soundstage and dispersion that’s practically unheard of.
The home cinema system is also equipped with Dolby Vision and 4K HDR video pass-through which allows you to hear every cinematic detail in crystal clear clarity. It’s also equipped with Bluetooth aptX for you to stream your favorite music wirelessly directly from your smartphone device.
The Verdict? There’s nothing quite like the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro when it comes to surround sound. This massive 7.1.4 system can deliver 3D surround sound and movie details that really take your movie experience one step further. It also comes with multiple input options including HDMI ARC, optical and coaxial inputs with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X codecs.
#4 Best Surround Sound Soundbar: JBL Bar 2.1
Configuration: 2.1 surround sound with Dolby Digital
Key Specs: JBL signature sound, 6.5” wireless subwoofer
What we liked: 300W of total system power
What we don’t: Soundbar only has 2 output channels
The JBL Bar 2.1 is one of the best surround sound soundbar you can find that delivers really clean bass and JBL signature sound. This surround sound system can produce an impressive 300 watts of total system power with crystal clear highs, detailed midranges and powerful bass. Furthermore, the JBL Bar 2.1 comes with a 6.5” wireless subwoofer which delivers immersive bass performance for home cinema and movies.
The JBL Bar is able to deliver really nice sound performance with clean separation and good soundstage. The soundbar supports Dolby Digital with JBL signature surround sound which creates a realistic cinematic experience at home. You can also connect the JBL Bar to your TV with a single optical or HDMI cable, or stream music from your phone with built-in Bluetooth connectivity.
We really liked the sound quality from this system. Vocals and dialogues sound crisp and clean, while the soundbar produces really good soundstage and vibrant sound performance. The highs and midranges on the soundbar are clean and clear; the soundbar delivers really good sound dispersion in all directions to give a 3D soundstage. Even without rear speakers, it does feel like you’re listening to an expansive 5.1 system with the JBL Bar.
To top it off, the JBL Bar connects wirelessly to the subwoofer which reduces the amount of wiring that you have to do. It is essentially a surround sound system that works straight out of the box; all you need is a HDMI or optical cable to get the entire system set up. There is no need for any additional wiring or speakers. The wireless Bluetooth is also convenient feature if you want to play music straight from your smartphone device.
The Verdict? The JBL Bar 2.1 is one of the best surround sound speakers you can find. The sound quality is great and has good bass response; you can really push up the volume on the soundbar without hearing any distortion. It also supports Dolby Digital for full-range surround sound performance and 3D sound effects.
#5 Best High-End Surround Sound Speakers: Martin Logan Motion 60XT
Configuration: Compatible with 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound systems
Key Specs: Folded Motion XT tweeters, Vostro crossover network
What we liked: Audiophile grade sound performance, great as front speakers
What we don’t: Relatively pricey speakers
If you are looking for high-end surround sound speakers to integrate with your existing home cinema system, go for the Martin Logan Motion 60XT. These speakers deliver some of the best surround sound performance with incredible soundstage; they can produce sounds that you may not have heard before in music and movies, and deliver extremely efficient dynamic range. The build quality of these speakers is also high-end and premium – they are among the very best surround sound speakers that come highly recommended.
These Martin Logan speakers come with folded motion XT tweeters that squeeze air and requires 90% less excursion than the 1” dome tweeter, which drastically reduces distortion and provides incredibly fast response times. The Folded Motion tweeter is also engineered with a large surface area to create clear and precise sound performance.
The entire speaker comes with a built-in topology Vostro crossover and high-performance aluminium cone woofer for deeper bass response. It also has an audiophile-grade 5-way bi-wire binding post which provides a secure connection.
When we hooked these speakers up to our 7.1 channel Onkyo receiver, we were extremely impressed by the surround sound coming from these speakers. The level of soundstage and separation with these speakers is incredibly detailed, and you can hear details in movies and music that you might not have appreciated before. There’s a great amount of sonic ‘presence’ with these speakers that keeps you fully immersed in the sound.
From a performance standpoint, it’s hard to find better surround sound speakers that can provide the level of accuracy, detail and bass with such a wide frequency range. The bass on these speakers is strong enough even without a dedicated subwoofer in the home cinema system.
Furthermore, we like that these speakers come with an elegant high-gloss finish design which blends in nicely with modern home interior décor.
The Verdict? If you are looking for the very best surround sound speakers, go for the Martin Logan Motion 60XT speakers. These speakers are built for audiophiles who want to take their music and movie listening experience to the next level. Be sure to use a quality AV receiver with these speakers as they require a lot of power to drive them.
#6 Best Budget Surround Sound Speakers: Polk Audio Signa S2
Configuration: 5.1 surround sound configuration
Key Specs: 5 full-range drivers, wireless subwoofer
What we liked: 4K and HDTV support, wireless Bluetooth
What we don’t: Subwoofer bass can feel slightly bloated
The Polk Audio Signa S2 is one of the best surround sound speakers you can find on a budget. This system consists of a ultra-slim sound bar with a wireless subwoofer. The soundbar itself is equipped with 5 full-range drivers for rich and dynamic surround sound performance with good bass. It also supports Dolby Digital decoding for maximum sound clarity and 3D sound effects.
The sound quality on the S2 system is pretty decent, and has three levels of voice control which you can use to boost the dialogue or vocals with the remote. The soundbar does provide decent surround sound with 3D dispersion; it does feel like you are listening to a 5.1 system with the Polk Signa S2.
The Dolby Digital decoding on the soundbar provides rich room-filling surround sound that enhances your movie experience. The soundbar also works with 4K and HD TVs with universal compatibility.
Furthermore, the soundbar comes with built-in Bluetooth technology which allows you to stream music directly rom your smartphone or tablet device.
We like the fact that the included subwoofer is completely wireless – this allows the subwoofer to reproduce deep bass impact and create an immersive room-filling home theater experience.
This surround sound system supports multiple inputs including HDMI ARC, optical and aux inputs. You can also stream music wirelessly from streaming apps such as Pandora, Spotify and more.
The Verdict? The Polk Audio Signa S2 is really one of the best surround sound speakers for movies and TV. It is equipped with 5 built-in drivers for crisp and clean sound reproduction, and comes with a wireless subwoofer for added bass response. We also like the Dolby Digital decoding functionality which allows you to experience 3D surround sound effects while watching movies.
#7 Best Home Cinema Speakers: Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR
Configuration: 5.1 wireless surround sound system
Key Specs: Wireless subwoofer and two wireless side speakers
What we liked: Versatile input options, configurable sound modes
What we don’t: Lacks Dolby Atmos compatibility
The Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR are among the best surround sound speakers for home cinema. The great about this entire system is that all the speakers are wireless, reducing the need for cable wiring around the house. The soundbar itself is equipped with 7 powerful drivers and tweeters to deliver exceptionally clear and crisp sound performance. These surround sound speakers also feature Polk’s SDA surround technology which creates an expansive soundstage with natural three-dimensional sound for movies.
In terms of sound performance, the Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR really delivers. The bass on the subwoofer feels deep, tight and punchy with a lot of gravitas. Vocal performances and dialogue were reproduced cleanly, while the side speakers are able to replicate 3D sound effects. You can also push up the volume on these speakers without hearing any distortion. Movie cinematics sounded particularly good with crystal clear sound and zero lip-sync issues over wireless connection.
The entire system consists of a wireless subwoofer and two wireless speakers which pair directly to the soundbar. The subwoofer comes with an 8” downward firing driver and the wall mountable speakers have a 3” full-range driver. They are also equipped with Polk Voice Adjust technology which tunes the sound to reproduce clear and crisp dialogue for TV shows and movies.
Furthermore, the Polk Audio MagniFi MAX SR comes with Google Chromecast built-in which allows you to stream music from your favorite apps over Wi-Fi or connect to your Google home speaker.
We like that this surround sound speaker system supports multiple input options including 3 HDMI inputs (HDCP 2.2 compliant), 1 HDMI-ARC output, optical port, auxiliary input, USB, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. This allows you to pair the speaker system with virtually all available devices.
Finally, there’s also a unique wall-mounting system for horizontal adjustment that keeps the soundbar level and centered under your TV.
The Verdict? The Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR is one of the best surround sound speakers that deliver 3D sound performance. Watching movies on this system is a really satisfying experience, with crystal clear highs and detailed midranges. The wireless subwoofer also delivers clean and powerful bass output without any distortion at high volume levels. There are also multiple connectivity options, making these some of the most versatile surround sound speakers for home cinema.
#8 Best Dolby Atmos Speakers: Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos Speakers
Configuration: Rear speakers for surround sound
Key Specs: Dolby Atmos enabled speakers, easily mountable
What we liked: Comes with mounting equipment and brackets
What we don’t: No wireless connectivity
If you are looking for a set of Dolby Atmos speakers for your home cinema, go for the Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos speakers. These are some of the best surround sound speakers we have tested that can easily be added to an existing home theater setup. They deliver really clean and crisp cinematic sound performance that feels immersive and flows around you, providing a really good surround sound listening experience.
The Sony SSCSE Dolby Atmos speakers are highly versatile, and can be added to any floor or bookshelf speaker setup by placing them on top. We liked the fact that these speakers are angled slightly so that they can be easily mounted on the wall and used as surround sound speakers for home cinema. The speakers also feature an acoustically transparent detachable grill to blend into home décor.
In terms of sound quality, these speakers provide crisp and clean sound performance. They serve well as rear or side speakers where they can provide clean articulation for 3D sound effects. The fact that these speakers are angled also helps to create an ideal soundstage for home cinema by reflecting the sound towards a sweet spot.
These speakers provide rich acoustics with a strong MDF cabinet which reduces unwanted vibrations. This allows for a clear and wide spatial reproduction of sound for TVs and movies.
The Sony surround speakers have a recommended power of 100W per channel, and a wide frequency range of 70 Hz to 32 kHz.
We like that the speakers also come with mounting brackets, mounting screws, wall mount brackets and padding for easy setup straight out of the box.
The Verdict? The Sony SSCSE speakers are some of the best surround sound speakers with Dolby Atmos enabled. They can pump out clean quality sound with full-range frequency performance, and are angled to reflect sound towards a specific sweet spot. They pair easily with existing home cinema setups and also comes with mounting brackets for easy installation.
#9 Best Bose Home Theater System: Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V
Configuration: 5.1 surround sound system configuration
Key Specs: Acoustimass module with slim reflecting speakers
What we liked: Home theater-in-a-box solution
What we don’t: Proprietary wiring system lacks flexibility
The Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V are among the best surround sound speakers from Bose. This entire system delivers spacious surround sound for larger rooms, and is great for home cinema and movie experiences. This system also comes with Direct/Reflecting Series II cube speakers that pair with your HDTV, and also includes an Acoustimass bass module that provides powerful bass performance.
We like the fact that the surround sound Series II speakers that come with this setup have a slimmer profile and can mount flush into your wall for an immersive audio experience. Compared with its predecessor model, these Bose speakers are easy to install and eliminates two inches of extension from the wall to save space.
The Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V speakers feature a subwoofer that is equipped with two powerful, downward firing drivers for pure and clean sound performance. The bass on this module goes over deep and really adds flare to movie listening experiences. You can also tweak the low-frequency effects according to your preferences with adjustable controls.
When we tested out these surround sound speakers, we were very impressed by how powerful the bass from the Acoustimass subwoofer felt. The bass feels deep and powerful, and can produce a low-end frequency that really makes you feel as though you are sitting in a real cinema. Vocals and dialogues are clean and crisp, and the overall sound dispersion is pretty solid.
This surround sound speaker system is essentially a home cinema in a box and comes with all the necessary cables and connectors for easy setup. That said, do note that these speakers have a proprietary wiring system which requires all 5 speakers to physically connect to the subwoofer,
The Verdict? The Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V are some of the best surround sound speakers from Bose. They deliver really good sound performance and deep bass with their Acoustimass module, which makes them a clear favorite for movie enthusiasts. The reflecting speakers are also useful to create a listening soundstage with adequate 3D sound effects and dispersion. That said, these are rather pricey speakers that come with proprietary wiring requirements, and lack any wireless connectivity as compared to other surround sound speakers such as the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro.
#10 Best Sony Surround Sound System: Sony Z9F Dolby Atmos Speaker System
Configuration: 3.1 surround sound configuration
Key Specs: Dolby Atmos / DTS:X sound supported
What we liked: Clean and crisp surround sound performance
What we don’t: Limited 3D surround sound
The Sony Z9F Dolby Atmos speaker system is one of the best surround sound speakers for home theater. It consists of a wireless subwoofer and soundbar with an upgraded 3.1 channel Dobly Atmos and DTS:X vertical sound engine. The soundbar has five different advanced sound modes to optimize audio performance, allowing you to hear 3D sound effects in movies and cinematic clips.
The Sony Z9F are really good surround sound speakers for those who want an easy living room setup without too much wiring and hassle. These speakers deliver pretty good home theater audio performance and crystal clear sound. That said, these surround sound speakers are not meant for those who want huge amounts of volume or the full Dolby Atmos sound experience.
While the Sony Z9F doesn’t produce 7.1 channel sound, it does deliver really good immersive sound performance. You can pin-point where each sound is coming from while watching movies with this system, and hear nice sound dispersion with some 3D sound effects. The soundbar has pretty wide surround sound dispersion.
We liked the fact that these surround sound speakers are wireless and network capable, and can also connect to selected rear-speakers for a full cinematic listening experience. It also has Chromecast built-in for easy smartphone streaming.
Furthermore, the Sony Z9F system is 4K HDR compatible with voice enhancement for greater clarity. It is also high-resolution audio capable and supports Wi-Fi music streaming.
The Verdict? The Sony Z9F is one of the best surround sound speakers we heard from Sony. They feature 3.1 channel Dolby Atmos with DTS:X, and come with a wireless subwoofer that delivers deep and punchy bass response. Furthermore, the soundbar is 4K HDR compatible and also supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming as well.
#11 Best 5.1 Surround Sound System: Yamaha YHT-4950U Home Cinema System
Configuration: 5.1 channel surround sound
Key Specs: Home-theater-in a box system with AV receiver
What we liked: Supports 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision
What we don’t: No wireless connectivity
The Yamaha YHT-4950U Home Cinema system is a complete home theater in a box system with an AV receiver, 5 speakers and a subwoofer in a single package. It’s one of the best surround sound speakers with 5.1 channels designed for high-quality sound performance. One thing we really liked about this setup is that everything you need to fully assemble the system is included in the box; it’s great for those who want a hassle-free installation for their home surround sound system.
We liked the fact that the Yamaha AV receiver in delivers 4K video at 60 fps pass-through and supports HDR10 with Dolby Vision. This allows you to get crystal clear 5.1 channel surround sound with 3D sound effects and very little distortion at high volume levels. The AV receiver also comes with built-in Bluetooth which allows for easy wireless playback.
These surround sound speakers are ideal for those who want Dolby Atmos in a 5.1 channel setup. You get crystal clear highs, good midrange performance and vibrant dialogue performance. The bass from the included subwoofer feels deep and tight, and layers the cinematic effects with rich and clean low-end frequencies. You can also turn up the volume on the receiver to max without hearing any distortion or static interference, which is a good thing.
The only downside to this system is probably the fact that everything has to be wired up; there are no wireless connections between the speakers and the receiver.
If you want to optimize your room’s surround sound acoustics, the AV receiver includes Yamaha room acoustic optimizer technology which automatically analyses the room acoustics and precisely adjusts the audio to provide a better surround sound experience.
The Verdict? The Yamaha YHT-4950Us are some of the best surround sound speakers with easy setup. It’s a really powerful 5.1 channel surround sound system with 4K Ultra HDMI and HDR10 with Dolby Vision for superb surround sound reproduction. It delivers really clean and crisp 3D sound performance with good bass from the dedicated subwoofer, making them very satisfying to listen to.
#12 Best Rear Surround Sound Speakers: Polk Audio FXI A6
Configuration: Standalone rear surround speakers
Key Specs: 6.5” dynamic driver with 1” silk polymer cone
What we liked: Extremely vibrant and detailed surround sound
What we don’t: Slightly pricey surrounds
The Polk Audio FXI A6 is hands down one of the best surround sound speakers available. These are essentially high-end surround sound speakers for home cinema setups, and delivers sound dispersion on a level that surpasses expectations. They are timbre matched surround sound speakers that can also easily integrate into any Polk Audio home theater or multi-channel music system.
The Polk Audio FXI A6 speakers are equipped with a 6.5 inch dynamic balance driver with a polymer and mineral composite cone woofer. They feature neodymium acoustic drivers with low viscosity ferro fluid cooling and a heat sink at the back of the magnet for better sound efficiency. Each speaker is also equipped with a two 1 inch silk/polymer composite dome tweeter for crisp highs and dialogue performance.
The A6 surround sound speakers are able to integrate with existing surround sound installations with flexible placement options. They feature two tweeters aimed at 45 degrees from each other for an ideal mix of direct and indirect sound, making them suitable for rear surround applications. It also features a dipole/bipolar switch which allows you to change the position of the speakers on the rear or side walls of your home.
We like the fact that these speakers sound very clear and works well at providing detailed rear surround sound. It has a bi-pole/dipole switch that changes how the speakers direct sound for better 3D sound effects. They do a great job at dispersion sound on the side walls so that you can hear minor sonic details that you’d probably miss in a movie cinematic.
Finally, these speakers are housed in an acoustically inert MDF cabinet that reduces internal vibrations that can compromise sound performance.
The Verdict? The Polk Audio FXI A6 are some of the best surround sound speakers for rear installations in a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound configuration. They are equipped with a 6.5” dynamic balance driver and composite cone that delivers crystal clear highs with detailed midrange and sonic sound performance. They also help to reflect and angle the sound towards you, providing a truly 3D surround soundstage for movies and home theater.
#13 Best Samsung Surround Sound System: Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q6CR
Configuration: 5.1 channel surround sound
Key Specs: Soundbar has dedicated center channel for dialogue
What we liked: Deep and strong bass performance
What we don’t: Not optimized for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
The Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q6CRs are some of the best surround sound speakers from Samsung. The entire system comes with a Series 5.1 acoustic beam soundbar that disperses sound across the room for a rich and immersive listening experience. It also supports Q-level sound which provides panoramic sound that syncs with on-screen action from your TV.
If you own a Samsung TV, you’d be happy to know that the HW-Q6CR soundbar is optimized to work seamlessly with Samsung QLED TVs. They provide plug and play connectivity via wired or wireless connections, and you can control both TV and soundbar with the Samsung OneRemote and tune the sound straight from the TV menu.
This sound system also comes with a dedicated center channel speaker which delivers crystal clear dialogue and crisp sound performance. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming, while the subwoofer delivers clean and deep bass performance.
In terms of sound performance, the HW-Q6CR provides an expansive soundstage with 5.1 channel configurations. The soundbar does provide a three-dimensional sound experience by projecting sound across the 5 channel drivers; you get quite an array of sonic detail being thrown at you while watching movies. We particularly liked the fact that the soundbar has a center channel driver that handles dialogues and vocals very well.
If you are not watching movies, the HW-Q6CR also has a Game Mode Pro which automatically optimizes the sound for playing games.
The Verdict? If you are looking for one of the best surround sound speakers that can easily integrate into your current Samsung TV, go for the Samsung Harman Kardon HW-Q6CR speakers. They deliver really nice 3D sound performance with good sound dispersion and powerful bass response. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity for wireless music streaming, which is definitely an added plus.
#14 Best Ceiling Surround Sound Speakers: Acoustic Audio CS-IC83
Configuration: 5.1 channel surround speakers
Key Specs: Full-range 3-way sound performance
What we liked: Crisp sound with decent bass response
What we don’t: Requires at least 200 watts per channel for optimal sound
The Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 are some of the best surround sound speakers for ceiling installations. This 5 ceiling speaker set is ideal for 5.1 home theater configurations, and integrates with existing audio surround sound systems. These flush mount in-ceiling speakers also have wide sound dispersion and works very well for home cinema applications.
We liked the fact that these ceiling speakers support full-range 3-way sound performance. It comes with an 8” high rigidity poly cone woofer with 13mmm soft dome tweeters and 3-way passive crossovers for quality sound performance. These speakers have a wide frequency range from 40 Hz to 20 kHz with 95dB sound level at 8 ohms. This means that they can work well with virtually any AV receiver with at least 10 watts per channel (but no more than 350 watts per channel).
We were pretty surprised at how good the sound performance on the Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 ceiling speakers sounded. They deliver really crisp highs and powerful midrange performance, and actually have some bass response to them. The sound is not lacking and you can really push them without hearing any distortion. These ceiling speakers work nicely for home theater and surround sound speaker applications with 3D dimensional sound quality.
Furthermore, the CS-IC83 speakers are easy to install and come with a pressure lock mounting system that clamps tight into the drywall. It speakers have a mounting depth of 3.7” and overall size of 10.86” with spring loaded raw wire connections.
The manufacturers also provide removable grills, cut-out templates and instruction manual for home theater surround sound.
The Verdict? The Acoustic Audio CS-IC83 are some of the best surround sound speakers for in-ceiling home theater applications. They deliver crystal clear highs with clean midrange and sound performance, and complement existing home cinema installations very well. We also like the fact that they are easy to install and come with all the required instructions for a smooth installation. These surround ceiling speakers are a great option if you need to disperse audio across your room for movies and music.
#15 Best Surround Sound System for TV: Onkyo HT-S3900
Configuration: 5.1 channel surround sound system
Key Specs: Dolby Trued and DTS-HD decoding
What we liked: Supports Ultra HD 4K/60 Hz with HDCP 2.2
What we don’t: Subwoofer lacks deep bass response
The Onkyo HT-S3900 is one of the best surround sound speakers you can find for home theater and TV. The entire system comes with an included receiver that codes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD master audio. This allows you to hear crystal clear movie sound performance with 3D sound effects and details. The amplifier also has 120W/ch with discrete output stage circuitry and six-channel analog amplifiers. The speakers are able to recreate a cinema theater experience with clear audio performance and good volume output.
The entire system consists for high-quality six piece surround sound speakers that can fit into smaller living rooms and blend into modern home décor. While they aren’t meant for huge sized rooms, they work well if you want to add surround sound to smaller apartments.
We liked the versatile design of the Onkyo HT-3900 receiver and surround sound system. It has HDMI 4 in/1 out pass-through using Ultra HD 4K/60 Hz, with HDR video support and HDCP 2.2 connectivity. The built-in discrete analog amps provide high current to the speaker system for dynamic audio reproduction.
We really enjoyed the overall cinematic sound performance of the Onkyo HT-S3900 home theater system. They deliver crisp 3D sound performance with nice dialogues. You can hear details in the movies coming from the left and right surround speakers and get pretty good soundstage with these speakers.
Furthermore, the Onkyo HT-S3900 system also supports Dolby Tuned and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, with low total harmonic distortion. This allows you to maximum the surround sound performance with spacious details and wide sound dispersion.
Finally, the HT-S3900 also supports wireless Bluetooth streaming with Qualcomm aptX audio quality.
The Verdict? The Onkyo HT-S3900 is one of the best surround sound speakers you can find that supports Dolby Tuned and DTS-HD codecs. The speakers produce crystal clear sound with crisp highs, detailed midranges and pretty solid bass performance. It’s a great option if you want to add surround sound performance to your living room or upgrade your existing home cinema system.