Best Home Theater Systems

I think we can all agree that when we purchase some of the best home theater systems, we expect a higher quality sound.

But here’s the catch:

Most sound systems are easy to choose, you just match what you want with the specification the sound system has.

In this article, you will learn about some of the best home theatre systems on the market. You’ll also learn what it is that makes them so powerful.

Top 10 Best Home Theater Systems On The Market 2021 Reviews

1 Onkyo HT-S9700THX – Home Theater System – 7.1 channel

The Onkyo HT-S9700THX is a robust system that focuses on sound quality rather than sound volume. There are a few problems that this home theater suffers from, even though it is on our list of the best home theater systems. These problems usually result from receiving faulty parts.

There are some highlights though!

The quality is fantastic if you have the speakers set up six to eight feet from where you will be listening. The speakers are small, so they won’t clog up the room for space. They are also powerful, so you don’t sacrifice audio. This speaker system will do well for anyone attempting to make a dedicated home theater. However, they are not meant for a gaming or music room.

2 Klipsch THX Ultra2 7.2 System with Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2-Ch-and Furman Elite-20

The Klipsch THX Ultra2 7.2 System is made up of Klipsch best speakers. These are then attached to an Onkyo TX-NR3010 9.2 THX Certified Channel Receiver. This is an all-around system for the audiophile that doesn’t care how it looks.

How do they sound?

With dual-subwoofers at 6.5 inches, this home theater speaker system will deliver the bass that one can feel. With 6 to 10-inch tweeters, one can expect to hear precise voices. You won’t see many bad things about this system because it is the best of the best.

3 Definitive Technology BP9080X 5 Speaker System with Onkyo TX-RZ1100

The BP9080X 5 Speaker System is a bit confusing because it’s not 5 BP9080X’s. It has 2 BP9080X speakers, 2 SR9080 speakers, and 1 CS9080 speaker. Each one of the speakers in this system has different specifications and they are all connected to an Onkyo TX-RZ1100 receiver.

Why point out the difference?

Well, the BP9080X’s and SR9080’s are capable of producing 92dB with a Nominal Impedance of 8 Ohms. The CS9080 speaker can produce 91dB and still has a Nominal Impedance of 8 Ohms. This makes the system very versatile, easily expandable, and ensures a consistent level of audio quality.

You will not necessarily get the best bass that’s out there. However, it will have a phenomenal performance for any compared to any of the best home theater systems.

4 KEF T305 Home Theater System

The KEF T305 is sleek and is one of the best home theater systems that would look great in any sci-fi fan’s home. Even though the system is thin, you still get an incredible sound from this system at a quality rarely seen in the industry.

It is a five-speaker system with an active subwoofer that’s extremely powerful. The subwoofer capable of delivering 110dB at a whopping 250W.

But guess what…

This makes the system very versatile in what it can do. However, it is mainly focused on those that love a polished design and a hefty bass. This means that it’s great for action movies or video games that play heavily on the lower frequency channels.

With a bigger-than-average 1-inch tweeter, you are sure to hear voices very clear. Additionally, with their Tangerine waveguide, clearly distinguish between voices and gunfire.

5 Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System

If you’re looking to get a powerful system that won’t take up a lot of room then the Polk Audio RM705 5.1 system is going to be what you’re looking for.

The speakers are extremely small and stout but still offer an aesthetically appealing design. Unlike many of the others listed in our list of best home theater systems, all the speakers are going to be an RM7 speaker.

What does it mean for you?

This means you are going to get a consistent level of sound regardless of where you position the speakers. Additionally, instead of going with a tall or bigger design, Polk placed their speakers in a cabinet formation.

This allows you to have the same level of power and quality while not sacrificing space. This low powered system is great for any small environment wanting clear quality audio.

6 Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V Home Theatre Speaker System

Bose is a well-known brand with some well-known quality for the products that they sell. The Series V of the Acoustimass 10 line of products is no different. This great theater speaker does well with the high and mid ranges but suffers when it comes to bass.

Who is it for?

This is a durable system meant to last for a long time and sit on furniture rather than hang. It’s not meant to be particularly loud. However, if you’re looking for great sound in a simple system, then Series V for you.

7 Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1 Wireless Audio Home Theater System

The Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1 Wireless system is one of the best home theater systems that are wireless on the market.

While it is certainly not perfect, this home theater system does provide the user with a lot more input control. Additionally, it is one of the only systems capable of an outdoor theater experience.

But, is it any good?

It may be the best wireless option, but it certainly has some issues. However, the system works great for those seeking a simple wireless solution. The high-end audiophile would have a few issues. The average user will find this to be a great system.

8 Sonos 5.1 Home Theater System PLAYBAR, SUB, PLAY:1 Wireless Rears Combination

The Sonos 5.1 Home Theater System has to be one of the more interesting of the best home theater systems here. Most of the best home theater systems are designed with one receiver, four satellites, and one subwoofer.

This home theater system is designed with one Playbar that acts as a receiver, one subwoofer, and two satellites. All of these components, unlike some of the other systems, can be purchased separately and are wireless.

But, is it any good?

Yes and no. The Sonos system is great for the person that wants a smart house that can control their theater system. However, that doesn’t mean the average audiophile or non-smart house person will like this system.

Specifically, this home theater is one of the best home theater systems for those who have a smart house.

Thus, it is the easiest to setup with a smart house versus other home theater systems.

9 Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System

Even though we all know Energy Star from the 90’s, Energy is another brand entirely. With four satellite speakers, one center speaker, and a massive subwoofer, this is one of the best home theater systems that can deliver the audio “oomph”. It seems Energy is more focused with bass than anything else as the rest of the equipment is average.

What does this mean for you?

It means that if you want the “thump” you get from bass, then this is the system for you. If you want to feel the roar of the machine gun in your game, this is the system for you. If you want to listen to people whisper on TV, this system might not be for you.

10 Yamaha YHT-5920UBL MusicCast Home Theater in a Box

The Yamaha is the low-cost and low-power home theater option of the best home theater systems listed here. The Yamaha allows a person to have a versatile system in any room in the house.

While it clearly isn’t focused on the base, it is focused on song quality and availability. Therefore, while it may not be the best for those looking for a gaming theater set, it will perform fantastically for movies and music.

Best Home Theater Systems Buying Guide

Those that Like Bass

I think we can all agree that some songs, games, and movies require a good.

But what is Bass?

In most cases, Bass is handled by the subwoofer. The more wattage or power the subwoofer draws on, the more powerful the Bass will be. This is known as Wattage to Decibels. The quality of that sound is determined by how much air is moved by the speaker drum. The air moves faster with more electricity.

As you can see, you do not get much benefit between 111 to 120 Decibels. However, more wattage is equivalent to a louder system.

So, why don’t companies use Wattage Level as an Advertisement?

Companies think the average consumer likes brand names and to feel special. Companies also do not like to advertise what they think is not impressive. Therefore, if they don’t make a claim on how many watts the machine uses, it’s time to be suspicious.

Something beyond the Decibel?

Beyond the Decibels, you also have how long it can handle the power. Even though a system can produce the sound, that doesn’t mean it’ll be able to handle it for long. This is known as Nominal and Peak. Nominal representing how long it can handle it and Peak is what it can handle in short bursts.

Most of the time you don’t get to see Nominal or Peak! Here’s why:

Once again, the maker of the technology attempts to appeal to a more simplified audience. Therefore, what you get to see “Sensitivity” and “Impedance”. These two can be made to look more impressive with some clever math.

What is Impedance?

You will see Input impedance or Ohm impedance. The number for this does not measure the resistance of the speaker but of the amplifier. This number represents how much power can be drawn by a specific speaker. Normally the lower this number is on the amplifier, the better.

Impedance is Essential to System Health! Here’s why:

Whenever you add a speaker to another speaker on the same amplifier, you must cut the Ohm impedance in half. This to see if your amp will push electricity to the speaker. If you have a single speaker running at 4 Ohm impedance on a 4-16 Ohm impedance amplifier, the maximum amount of electricity that speaker can draw will be given as it is the lowest the amplifier can handle. Therefore, Ohm impedance lower or higher than what the amplifier can push results in poorer audio.

Basic Electrical Math to Trick the Trickery

Ohm is the resistance of a wire. The actual calculation to get Wattage is W=VA, which is Wattage equals Voltage times Amps. To find Ohm from this (as companies do not normally give Amps), you have to Watts/Volts. This will give you Amps and then you can use Ohm = Volts / Amps. You can find out more about electricity and electronics by going here.

Example:

• Amplifier
• Ohm: 6
• Wattage: 160

Putting these numbers into our calculation, we can figure out this 160 = V x (V/6). Therefore, using Algebra 1 methodology, we can do 160 * 6 = V(V). This is otherwise known as 960=V(V). If we square root 960, we get V = 30.9. That means the amp draws on about 30.9 voltage, but this allows us to find Amps. By using W=VA, we can now W/V = A to get 5.1A.

Here’s why it matters:

More amperage equals more sound and more voltage equals more consistent sound.

Why all the trickery?

The average person just knows electricity works. There are very few that would look past the personal reviews to the specifications. There are even less that would be able to understand all that is contained in specifications. In other words, these companies rely on positive experiences to sell their product and not impressive numbers. Making those impressive numbers means it costs more to make higher quality products.

Those that Like Surround Sound

I think we can all agree that movies should be experienced with the best audio you can get.

THX Explained

When a product claims that it is “THX Certified”, that simply means that if you use the instructional packet’s formation of speakers and THX audio media, you will get a THX experience.

THX is a company that makes sound equipment. They allow artists/directors to have a consistent quality of sound. Unless you plan to have your speaker system laid out like the company wants you to, it means nothing.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Explained

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are revolutionary and should be apart of the best home theater systems.

It treats sound differently than every other technology since the creation of surround sound. Surround sound normally sends a sound to a specific speaker based on the audio channel it’s on.

With the DA and DTS:X, it finds the location in the room the director wants it to be played at to play it there. By using more than one position to triangulate where the object would be in your room. This allows for a more convincing surround sound.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are two companies doing the same thing. If your media was released before DA’s and DTS: X’s release, all of this is meaningless until you get newer media.

Other Phrases

Dynamic Audio Amplification -It means it has a low ohm impedance system, usually 4.

4K HDR – If you do not have a 4K Television that supports HDR, this is irrelevant. If you don’t have an HDR compatible TV, this is even more irrelevant. HDR or High Dynamic Range means it’s louder.

DTS Play-Fi – Stream music from an app or a computer

[Insert Special Name] Wireless Multi-Room Audio – It’s wireless, usually from a master hub.

THD [Insert Percentage] – This just measures how much of a difference there is between the sound you’re listening to and the song

They Are Not All Perfect – Some Final Words

None of the best home theater systems are perfect. Some of them have glaring problems that others might find offending. Some of them also have problems that could go unnoticed. Home theater systems will always have defects and imperfections, but they are also built differently.

This top ten list was designed to help the bass lovers, voice perfectionists, the wireless seeker, and the designers find their best versions on the market. There are systems that only costs hundreds. There are systems that cost thousands.

This is to accommodate all pocket sizes and if you thought we missed any, let us know by comment here.