The choice of the perfect surround sound speakers can depend on a lot of factors- audio quality (quite obviously), speaker placement, wiring options, ease of installation etc. Ideally, the speakers should cover a large hearing frequency range without compromising on the sharpness of sound. Additionally, look for a system where the sound of the speakers and the subwoofer is completely in sync with each other. Nothing kills the pleasure of listening to your favorite music more than a frequency gap between the subwoofer and the speakers. You will have to be very particular about the location of the speakers within the room. Factors like the height of the speakers etc can impact the performance of the speaker system considerably.

After considering all these factors, we have put together a list of the four best surround sound systems. Have a look.

1. Blackstone TL 1600 5.1

This surround sound speaker system has it all- excellent sound quality, impressive design and it is very convenient to install. It comes with a wide frequency range of 40-22,000 Hz and the sound is well-blended yet sharp. For your convenience, the satellite speakers have five way binding posts which makes them very easy to install. To top it off, the system has a smooth and simple design which can blend into any room.

2. Mirage Nanosat 5.1

The Mirage Nanosat 5.1 boasts of a unique sound dispersion system which means that you can have the perfect theatre experience right in your home. The frequency range is decently wide: 33-22,000 Hz and the sound is top quality. Each speaker has a key hole and can be easy installed. The Nanosat has a very old school feel to it, thanks to its antique triangular design. All said done, this speaker system marries cutting edge technology with a unique, antique design. Quite a combination!

3. Orb Audio Mod1 5.1

Now, this surround sound speaker system has a design with a twist. The speakers are orb shaped giving it a very modern, contemporary feel. At the same time, the sound quality will impress any music enthusiast. This speaker system is known for its performance at lower frequency levels. So, if you are looking to spice things up in your living room, get yourself this surround sound system and enjoy the pleasures of high quality audio output.

4. Energy Take Classic 5.1

The Energy Take Classic 5.1 might not be perfect for larger rooms, but it performs satisfactorily in relatively small rooms. The speakers perform well at the medium frequency even as the sound might waver a little at extremely high or low frequencies. But, a lot depends on what you expect from your surround sound system. As a layman, chances are that you won’t even be able to spot the loopholes. The design, on the other hand, is quite impeccable- simple yet classy and the speakers have earned a name for themselves over the years.

A thunderous surround sound experience is absolutely essential if you want to get the most out of your home theater system. It doesn’t matter how big your TV is, or how you pop your popcorn, without the right sound, you can never be fully immersed into your movies/games.  AV Receivers (or AVRs as they’re often called) are integral to premium surround sound, and we’ve got a crash course to help you purchase the right AVR.

Supported Formats

First and foremost, you’re going to want to rule out any AVRs that don’t support today’s most popular audio formats. Just about any modern AVR will support audio formats like DTS and Dolby Digital, but that’s not enough. Blu-ray movies now feature lossless audio tracks which require DTS-HD Master Audio or Dolby Digital TruHD. You’ll absolutely want to make sure any AVR you’re considering supports both of those. LPCM support can also be especially useful if you play your content from a PC of some sort.

Apart from audio formats, you’ll also want to make sure your AVR supports the right video formats. You’ll more than likely want to ensure it plays nice with 1080p sources. Even more useful, some AVRs even support upscaling SD and 720p sources to 1080p before sending it to your TV. Most AVRs today support 1080p (though a handful only support 1080i, so be careful). Lastly, if you have a 3D TV and you enjoy 3D videos, make sure you AVR supports 3D video signals.

Inputs and Outputs

Most AVRs have a handful of video inputs of various types (generally a few HDMI ports, some composite connectors, and a few component connections) and a single HDMI output. That single HDMI output connects to your TV. The rest of your home theater equipment connects to the AVR, so make sure it has enough inputs for all of your gear. 

Audio inputs are important too. The HDMI connections are able to carry 7.1 channel audio and HD video in the single cable, but other input types need other options. Optical inputs are ideal if HDMI isn’t an option (this is often used by music devices, some gaming systems, and most component sources). Composite sources will typically need the usual RCA connections, though some allow optical or coaxial audio. The key is to make sure any AVR you consider has room enough to connect all of your devices at once.

Channels and Features

Just about every modern AVR on the market today will meet all of the requirements above and can range anywhere from $200 to several thousand. The main difference in price comes from the number of audio channels they support and the extra features they include.

Most media features 5.1 channel sound (5 speakers and a subwoofer), but a 7.1 channel AVR is a wise choice for future upgrades. A 7.1ch AVR works fine with a 5.1ch setup. They’re about the same price anyway. Other options are 7.2 channels (7 speakers and 2 subwoofers), 9.1, and 9.2. These are generally much more expensive.

Other features that have an effect on price are things like network connectivity for DLNA support, iPod and USB ports, integrated WiFi for multiroom audio, and FM or Satellite radio inputs. Of course component quality has a large impact on price as well, but our thousands of expert reviews can help you sort that out. Also, the more features an AVR has, the more complicated it can be, so they use GUI Setup Menus to help; however, some GUIs can be much worse than others. Our User Reviews can help you there.