The Best High End Surround Sound System For 2024
The Rundown
1. Best Overall: Klipsch Reference R-26FA 5.1 Home Theater Pack
The R-26FA Dolby Atmos floor standing speakers have an integrated elevation channel. They not only deliver stereo sound to the listener but also reflect sound off the ceiling for an immersive Dolby Atmos experience. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: JBL Bar 5.1 - Channel 4K Ultra HD Soundbar
The JBL Bar 5.1 might be what you're looking for. With a wireless subwoofer and four surround sound speakers, it's the perfect space-saving solution for anyone who wants to enjoy movies or music in all its glory. Read Review
3. Best Powerful: Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound
This system delivers true cinema-quality sound, thanks to THX-certified home theater speakers and a subwoofer that pumps out 165 watts of power, perfect for watching your favorite movies or playing games. Read Review
4. Best Sound Quality: Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 Channel
The Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra is the ultimate home theater experience. The sound bar surrounds and subwoofers replicate the perfect theater experience, reaching cinema-level volumes without any distortion. Read Review
Surround sound systems are getting more advanced all the time. Newer models have wireless connectivity, countless customizable settings and other bells and whistles that make listening to music or watching TV an immersive experience. And when it comes to high end surround sound systems, few brands stand out like Bose. Their home audio solutions offer exceptional clarity and precision, which is why they’re a common sight in high-end homes and businesses around the world.
However, as with any product category, there are plenty of substandard options out there too. While you can find some great Bose alternatives under $500, their flagship products don’t come. The majority of their standalone surround sound systems range from around $900 to over $2,000! But thankfully, there are still some great alternatives that won’t break the bank.
In this article we’ll take a look at some of the best high-end Bose surround sound system alternatives available right now…
We think Klipsch Reference R-26FA 5.1 Home Theater Pack is the best of the best among the top models. If you were dissatisfied with the preceding item, you have the option of selecting JBL Bar 5.1 - Channel 4K Ultra HD Soundbar as an alternative. You may relax knowing that its quality is also good per what we researched.
RELATED: Our team research 3,327 customer reviews and create the list of 10 best bose surround sound system for you.
Our Top Picks
TOP Choice #1
![Klipsch Reference R-26FA 5.1 Home Theater Pack]()
- Dual 6.5" Copper Spun Magnetically Shielded IMG Woofers
- 1" Aluminum Diaphragm Compression Tweeter
- Klipsch R-26FA Dolby Atmos Speaker (Pair) - Klipsch R-41M Bookshelf Home Speaker (Pair) - Klipsch R-25C Center Channel Home Speaker - Klipsch Reference R-12SW 12" 400W All-Digital Powered Subwoofer (Brushed Black)
- Built-in Elevation Channel for Dolby Atmos
- 90 x 90 Square Tractrix Horn
- True 4K connectivity with 3 HDMI in/1 HDMI out (ARC)
- Detachable, battery-powered wireless surround speakers
- Wireless music streaming with Bluetooth
- Power Source Type: Battery Powered
- Thrilling bass from a 10 Inch (250mm) wireless subwoofer
- JBL 5.1 surround sound with 510W of power
- Easy sound control: Compact control console and wireless remote let you instantly personalize your surround sound experience
- Delivers a continuous 500 watts of power, with the ability to deliver a peak of 1,000 watts under certain circumstances: Thunderous, room shaking audio with deep bass you can feel
- System Requirements: Works with any device with either a headphone jack (3.5 millimeters), RCA, six channel direct, digital coaxial input or optical inputs. Signal to noise ratio, A weighted: >95dB
- THX certified home theater speakers: Your assurance of true cinema quality sound. Satellites : 4 x 67 W, wall mountable
- Flexible setup: Connect upto six devices : Computer, music player, TV, game console and more; Infared remote
- 5.1 digital surround sound: Hear every detail in your Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks the way the studio intended. Sub woofer: 165 Watts
- With 70+ years of audio excellence, experience the absolute best audio no other soundbar can replicate. Feel the roomshaking bass with industry’s only Dual Wireless Subwoofers & 360° 9.2 channel audio from every direction with our soundbar + four modular surround effects speakers. This plug and play solution’s designed to bring the acoustics of a high performance cinema into your living room in approx 30 minutes. Winner of the best Dolby Atmos soundbar battle (hosted by Brian Tong, Ex-Cnet host)
- Redefine soundbar expectations and surround performance with our exclusive SSE Technology. Featuring 3 advanced audio processing engines working in harmony to enhance directionality, enlarge spaciousness and unlock extra details of any audio soundtrack. Envelop your home theater with up to 9.2.4 channels of Dolby Atmos or DTS:X object based multi-dimensional audio that flows around, above and through you. Unleash the full dynamics of your audio experience with 110dB of room-filling sound
- All units sold since Aug '19 can receive Dolby Atmos surround via TV’s eARC when streaming with TV’s smart apps like Netflix (Note: not all TVs can output Atmos. Refer to your TV brand’s audio output specs). Enjoy advanced connectivity with Dolby Vision, 4K UHD pass-thru and High Dynamic Range (HDR). Connect up to 6 devices via 1 HDMI ARC, 3 HDMI, 1 Optical and 1 Coaxial inputs. The 52-key backlit remote allows seamless control of sources, DSP modes, individual channel and room size optimization
- Our DUAL 10" WIRELESS SUBWOOFERS (industry's 1st!), the new soundbar reference standard for bass, produce ground-shaking rumbles that turn your living room into an epicenter of adrenaline-pumping action. They merge to distribute bass evenly throughout the room with zero localization. The sound bar, surrounds and subwoofers replicate the perfect theater experience, reaching cinema-level volumes with no distortion. Agreed among experts, TWO subwoofers are a must for ultimate home theaters.
- FOUR 2-WAY SURROUND SPEAKERS (industry's 1st!). Each of them (connected to sub via RCA wires) is constructed with a tweeter that reproduces high frequencies with captivating clarity, and a full-range driver that delivers surround effects with power and precision. MODULAR in form, they are designed to work perfectly for any room size or shape. Attach them as dipoles to disperse expanded surround effects or detach as 4 individual speakers (signature setup) to deliver our 360° surround sound
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![Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System]()
- The reference theater pack brings the Klipsch cinematic sound into your home with an incredibly minimal footprint
- To complement the easy placement of the wireless subwoofer, each satellite speaker has a keyhole mount and a threaded insert for maximum mounting flexibility
- The Klipsch reference theater pack delivers a superior acoustic performance while keeping an incredibly minimal footprint
- Klipsch's exclusive Tractrix Horn technology and aluminum Tweeters deliver the cleanest, most natural sound possible. The down-firing wireless subwoofer is designed to deliver room-filling low frequencies without requiring too much floor space
- Detailed Center Channel - Perfecting the vocals and dialogue of your favorite music and movies, ensuring you are in the center of the action for a life-like home audio experience
- 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers - Enveloping surround sound provides outstanding precision and clarity, allowing you to soak up all the dramatic impact your movies and music can deliver
- Compact Home Theater System - Full range sound from the powerful midrange drivers and the high-end Neodymium tweeters deliver captivating surround sound throughout your entire room
- Precision Crafted Cabinets - Acoustically inert, engineered with MDF wood to create a warm, distortion-free sound
- 5.0 Speaker System - Perfectly timbre-matched bookshelf fronts, center channel and rear surrounds, all designed to encapsulate you with every sound effect, the way the artist intended
- Acoustic Audio 9 piece home speaker 2-way set, 4 hd-800 wall speakers, 30hz-22 kHz, 98dB, 2 hd-8 ceiling speakers, 38hz-22 kHz, 98dB, 20-350w per speaker, 8ohm, 8" Woven fiber bulletproof woofers
- Butyl rubber Surrounds, pivoting titanium tweeters, Rectangular cut out 8.75" X 12.66", overall 10.125" X 14.25", depth 4", round cut out 9.5", overall 11", depth 4", low profile housings
- Hd-6c wall center Channel 3-way speaker, 20-350 watts, 33hz-22 kHz, two 6.5" Woofers, 12mm soft dome tweeter, cut out is 19.25" X 7.5", overall is 20.5" X 8.75", depth: 3.25"
- 2 HDS10 wall passive Sub speakers, 20-300w each, 26hz-200hz, 10" Woofers, cut out is 10.625" X 10.625", overall is 12" X 12", depth is 3.75", these passive subs require a Ws1005 Sub amp each
- Use for in wall or in ceiling home entertainment, surround sound, home theater, multiple room systems, This Listing and price is for complete 9 piece in wall and in ceiling speaker set
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![Definitive Technology ProCinema 6D - Compact 5.1 Channel]()
- SURPRISINGLY BIG SOUND FROM SURROUNDS – You'll feel you're in the middle of the action with the (4) satellite speakers that sing. Each satellite has a 1" Tweeter, a 3.25" BDSS woofer and a bass radiator of the same size
- SOPHISTICATED SOUND AT AN UNBEATABLE PRICE – Definitive Technology continues to innovate and produces premium range of speakers and home entertainment systems with timeless, purposeful and rational designs, now made at an affordable price
- EXCELLENT VOICE CLARITY RIGHT FROM THE CENTER – The high-performance center channel is EQUIPPED WITH THE MOST ADVANCED DRIVERS - a 1" Tweeter, (2) 3.25" Mid/Woofer BDSS Drivers & (2) 3.25" Bass Radiators for precise and surprising sound reproduction
- A MODERN SPACE-SAVING SYSTEM – This compact 5.1 channel home theater gives you a 3-dimensional surround sound experience with clean, rich audio. Includes 4 satellite speakers, 1 center channel & a 250 watt Powered Subwoofer for DEEPER, ROOM-FILLING BASS
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![Rockville HTS56 1000w 5.1 Channel Home Theater System]()
- Optical input to connect to your TV. FM Antenna Input. Full Function Remote. The Subwoofer unit has 4 LED lighting modes: (blink to the beat, solid on, spectrum EQ analyzer, off) and selectable with 7 colors or multi-color mode.
- You can independently control the volume of each speaker and the subwoofer. Bluetooth v2.1. USB Input (max file size 16Gb). SD Input (max file size 16Gb). 2 ¼” MIC Inputs with Echo function for karaoke. 5 RCA Audio Outputs. 6 RCA DVD Audio Inputs. 2 RCA AUX Inputs.
- Zero distortion can be heard even with volume and bass settings all the way up! The sound on this system is better than anything even that cost twice the price!. Cable Length: Front L/F: 12Ft, Rear L/R: 30Ft, Center: 10Ft. Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20KHz. Certification: CE and RoHS Compliant. Signal to noise ratio: ≥70dB (Maximum output with THD+N < 1%)
- HTS56 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with LED Light Effects. Plug and play system with everything you need right out of the box. 1000-Watts Peak Power. 500-Watts Program Power. 250-Watts Continuous RMS Power. 8” Subwoofer with Built-In Receiver. 1x 3” Center Channel Speaker.
- 2x 3” Full Range Front Channel Speakers. 2x 3” Full Range Rear Channel Speakers. Top Quality MDF Wood Cabinets with Plastic Front Panels. Built-In FM Receiver with Amazing Reception. Built-In Optical input to connect to your Television. Digital Display. Selectable preset equalizer curves.
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![Polk Audio MagniFi Max SR Home Theater Surround Sound Bar]()
- BIGGER, MORE DYNAMIC SOUND - Packed inside this slim and sleek sound bar 7 powerful drivers and tweeters produce exceptionally clear sound, more superior than any traditional sound bar
- Polk's exclusive Voice Adjust Technology even lets you INDEPENDENTLY CONTROL VOICE LEVELS maximizing sound clarity and minimizing voice delays and muzzled sounds. Equipped with INDEPENDENT MODES FOR MOVIES, MUSIC, AND SPORTS, it delivers balanced sound clarity so that hear every word, making your movie, sports and music experience exquisite
- WIRELESSLY STREAM MUSIC with GOOGLE CHROMECAST from your smartphone, tablet or other compatible Android devices for a multi room system. You can now cast your favorite music tracks to your sound bar and enjoy unlimited playback using services like Pandora, Spotify and others. Connect to a host of smart devices, TV, speakers and enjoy high quality sound instantly
- EXPERIENCE TRUE 5.1 WIRELESS SURROUND SOUND WITH POLK'S PATENTED SDA AUDIO TECHNOLOGY that creates an expansive surround stage & detailed stereo image delivering a room-filling listening experience, the same as what you would get in a concert or theater
- ENDLESS CONNECTION OPTIONS - 3 HDMI Inputs (HDCP 2.2 compliant), 1 HDMI-ARC output, an Optical port for Blu-Ray players & set-top box, an Aux Analog input (3.5mm) for any non-digital device, plus Bluetooth, USB and Internet connectivity
- INCLUDES PLUG AND PLAY WIRELESS SUBWOOFER & TWO WIRELESS SPEAKERS, which are instantly recognized by the sound bar the moment you power them on. The sub supports an 8” downward firing driver and the wall mountable speakers each have a 3" full range driver
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What to Look For in a best high end surround sound system?
The best high end surround sound system is assessed based on many factors. best high end surround sound system research varies depending on the type, feature, and quality of this product. It is not too complex to cover, yet we will give you some buying guide and solutions to these problems.
Please take a closer look at best high end surround sound system characteristics below would be beneficial for you. Let’s look through and keep in mind:
Wireless Vs. Wired
It is often easy to decide whether you want cords or cables. The main concern will be whether it is easy to hide or place the cables connecting to your home theater.
Wireless speaker systems are popular because they're easy to install. Wireless systems can be moved around easily and used in different locations. You can also use the wireless speakers outdoors, such as on your patio.
Wireless speaker systems are popular because they're easy to install. Wireless systems can be moved around easily and used in different locations. You can also use the wireless speakers outdoors, such as on your patio.
Smart Features
You should consider receivers that have voice control. Receivers that support Siri, Alexa and Google Assistant are available.
Apps And Connectivity
You want your receiver to have the ability to use apps such as Spotify, Google Cast or Apple Airplay. Many options are available with this feature, as well as many that will connect to Internet radio stations to stream your radio.
You can also control the receivers via compatible apps. This allows you to adjust settings and switch between different content from your smartphone.
You can also control the receivers via compatible apps. This allows you to adjust settings and switch between different content from your smartphone.
Surround Sound Technology
You can select a receiver that has Dolby Atmos and DTS:X built-in. A dedicated Phono input is another important feature that you may want to include on your receiver. The input provides better sound quality than integrated circuits or computer chips and can be used to improve dynamics, sound depth, and detail. It's an excellent feature for electronics, even if your receiver doesn't come with a phonograph.
Channels
The number and type of speakers that you want to connect will determine the channel count. The size of your space may also play a role in this decision.
Home theatre systems that are receiver-based can be purchased in many channels. These channels include 5.1, 7.1.1, and 9.1. This number indicates the total number of speakers and subwoofers in the system.
Home theatre systems that are receiver-based can be purchased in many channels. These channels include 5.1, 7.1.1, and 9.1. This number indicates the total number of speakers and subwoofers in the system.
Power
The watts denotes the total power output of an amplifier. It is essential that the receiver you choose is strong enough to provide enough power for your speakers. For optimal performance, an A/V receiver should deliver at least 100 W to each channel. Impedance is another term that describes the speaker's performance and amplifier. Speakers are usually rated between 6 and 8 Ohms. Home theatre systems require that the speakers and amplifier be properly paired by their manufacturer.
Number And Type Of Connections
What number of HDMI-connected devices can you connect? Multiple HDMI and optical connections are available on many receivers so that you can connect your television to streaming boxes, gaming consoles, cable boxes or other HDMI-connected devices. Your receiver can be used to switch between different applications. Make sure it can support all your devices. A receiver can have 4 to 10 HDMI connections.
FAQs
How Do You Make Your Rear Speakers Wireless?
Although you can add wired speakers to your rear using a wireless adapter, it is still not ideal. Some manufacturers offer wireless surround speaker systems that can be used wirelessly if necessary.What Is The Best Speaker Setup?
A surround sound system consists of two speakers at the front and two speakers in the center. Two surround speakers are located behind your viewer. One subwoofer is included. Two speakers can be added to either side of the viewer in a seven-speaker setup. For larger rooms there are nine-speaker systems. These have two speakers next to the viewer on either side. There are also additional speakers at 70 degrees from your viewers. These traditional layouts can be enhanced by Dolby Atmos overhead speakers, which create an immersive, more real-life experience.How Many Speakers Do I Need?
You will need five or more speakers to create a surround sound system. Dolby Atmos enabled setups should include at least five speakers. A good system should have at least five, seven or nine principal speakers. Your space limitations and your budget will determine the amount of speakers you select. You should ensure that your home theater receiver has sufficient input and output options for the speakers you have chosen.Can I Use A Flat-screen TV For The Display?
It is possible, it may be suitable for small spaces. If you decide to go this route, an OLED set of high quality from LG is a great choice. OLED panels are perfect for film because they have excellent color reproduction and great black levels. OLED panels are larger than other projectors and measure 88 inches in height. You should also consider that black bars can reduce screen real estate when you view 21:9 wide format film, which is a popular format used for theatrical releases.How Many Watts Home Theater Do I Need?
Your theater will sound better if you have more power under your hood. Strangely, but true, high-power theaters sound louder when they are at lower volume levels. 125 watts per channel would be the best power level to maintain without worrying about running out.How Big A Screen Should I Get?
For many, this may be the most important question. For a true cinema experience, a large screen is essential. It all depends on how you want to seat and what size the space is. In medium-sized theatres, 120 inches is the most common screen size. A minimum distance for a screen that large is around 10 feet. For every foot of screen size, the average seating distance is between 10 and 12 inches. Some people prefer to be closer in order to get the best experience. Others don't like being as close. This can be achieved in multi-row seating arrangements - maybe the children will prefer the front row.What Wattage Should I Get For My Home Theater System?
Performance is just like performance in cars. The more horsepower you have, the bigger and better your theater will sound. It will sound even louder if you crank it up. It is strange but true that a louder theater can actually produce more goosebumps at lower volume levels.You should ensure that you use the recommended minimum power for the speakers. A doubling in power is required to hear volume changes up to three decibels. This means that you have 70 watts of power per channel and you desire a significantly higher sound level. You'd need 140 Watts to do this.
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