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Home Theater System Reviews

Updated: Oct 6, 2024 16:33
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alaScore
#1
alaScore 100

Samsung HW-Q990C

At the end of the discussion, it becomes a matter of how much money you want to spend. The Samsung sounds noticeably better than the Vizio Elevate, and it's better built too, but it's also a lot more expensive. The Samsung's price is currently reduced...

14 expert reviews

#2
alaScore 99

Sony HT-S2000

Sony's HT-S2000 soundbar could really use a subwoofer, but it otherwise generates big sound with surprisingly good Dolby Atmos imaging for its 3.1-channel design.

10 expert reviews

#3
alaScore 99

PolkAudio MagniFi MAX

The Polk MagniFi Max sound bar gives you plenty of connections and the option of matching surround speakers.

5 expert reviews

#4
alaScore 98

Sonos Arc

The $799 Arc is Sonos' first Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar, fulfilling years of customer requests. Now that it's here, does it deliver? Here's our full review.

56 expert reviews | 193 user reviews

#5
alaScore 98

Sony HTA5000

“With every sound format and connection option we could want, the Sony HT-A5000 rocks.”

12 expert reviews

#6
alaScore 98

Sonos Ray

“Sonos sets the stage for a much more affordable home theater system with the Ray.”

40 expert reviews

#7
alaScore 97

Sennheiser Ambeo Plus

If you want immersive audio with your television, don’t want the wires or a forest of speakers in your living room, Sennheiser’s Ambeo Soundbar Plus delivers the goods.

4 expert reviews

#8
alaScore 97

Sony HT-A7000

“Great sound, ease of use, and a big list of features make it hard to beat.”

26 expert reviews

#9
alaScore 97

Yamaha SR-C30A

The Yamaha SR-C30A offers room-filling audio from a couple of tiny boxes, but it's eclipsed at the price by rivals.

4 expert reviews

#10
alaScore 97

Dangbei Mars projector

The Dangbei Mars is a versatile and capable projector, poised to elevate the entertainment experience in your living space.

5 expert reviews

#11
alaScore 97

Emotn N1

The Emotn N1 portable smart projector puts Netflix front and center with native support for better or worse, depending on how you look at it. If you use streaming services outside of Netflix or Prime Video, you’ll likely want to give this one a pass....

6 expert reviews

#12
alaScore 96

Klipsch Cinema 1200

The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is great for mixed usage. Its dedicated subwoofer helps reproduce a rumbling low-bass, and it has a bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box. It can be overwhelming for some users, but others will appreciate that they can feel...

8 expert reviews

#13
alaScore 96

Samsung HW-Q800A

The Samsung HW-Q800A is very good for mixed usage. It has a neutral, balanced sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of audio content. It can produce a thumpy, punchy low-bass, which is nice for action-packed movie scenes and bass-heavy music...

12 expert reviews | 4 user reviews

#14
alaScore 96

Creative Stage 360

An affordable, compact Dolby Atmos sound bar with a dedicated subwoofer

8 expert reviews

#15
alaScore 96

JBL Bar 500

The JBL Bar 500 is very good for mixed usage. This versatile soundbar brings a clean, clear sound ideal for everything from dialogue-heavy sitcoms to bass-centric music like EDM. With a room correction tool on hand, its sound is optimized to the unique...

3 expert reviews

#16
alaScore 96

1More PistonBuds Pro

“Don't let their size fool you: The 1More PistonBuds Pro are no-compromise earbuds.”

10 expert reviews

#17
alaScore 96

Lg Sc9s Svart

An upfiring driver in the middle of this soundbar is a nice addition, but other bars have better features.

3 expert reviews

#18
alaScore 95

Wharfedale DX-2

A powerful, compact 5.1 home cinema system that balances price and performance with style.

2 expert reviews

#19
alaScore 95

Sonos Playbase

As I noted earlier, the Playbase is an extremely compelling one-speaker option for the living room, particularly if you're a music fan. It's easy to set up and adds very little complexity to most TV rigs; not having to run lots of cords is a huge win...

42 expert reviews | 425 user reviews

#20
alaScore 95

BLUESOUND NODE 2

The Node 2 is an excellent standalone hi-res audio music streamer – and works just as well in a multiroom setup.

7 expert reviews | 10 user reviews

#21
alaScore 95

Samsung HW-Q900A

The Samsung HW-Q900A soundbar is impressive for mixed usage. With its Standard preset, this soundbar has a pretty neutral sound profile suitable for listening to most types of audio content. Though it lacks some low-bass, there are many sound...

3 expert reviews | 3 user reviews

#22
alaScore 95

Sony HT-X8500

The Sony HTX8500 is alright for mixed usage. This 2.1 setup has a boxy and slightly dull sound profile, though it can still reproduce vocals and lead instruments pretty accurately. Despite its dual subwoofers integrated into the bar, you don't feel the...

13 expert reviews | 250 user reviews

#23
alaScore 95

LG SP11RA

The LG SP11RA soundbar is great for mixed usage. With its room correction feature turned on, it has a slightly boomy but otherwise neutral sound profile suitable for lots of different types of audio content. Its discrete center channel helps to...

7 expert reviews

#24
alaScore 95

Sony HT-G700

The Sony HT-G700 is a value for its price, offering great sound for both music and movies while doing so in a minimalist package. While its technology commendably compensates for its lack of true surround sound, it doesn’t totally make up for the...

18 expert reviews | 41 user reviews

#25
alaScore 95

JBL Bar 5.0

“This single-speaker soundbar is the easiest way to add Dolby Atmos to your TV.”

16 expert reviews

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    Buying Guide

    Buying Guide - Home Theater Systems

    Trying to assemble a home theater system from a number of different brands and components can be difficult, time consuming, and expensive. There is no longer any need to go through the hassle of doing it yourself, as a number of manufacturers do the hard work for you by offering pre-packaged home theater systems that include everything you will need to make a night at home like a night at the movies. All it takes is a little research to make sure that you end up with a system that will deliver the performance you are looking for.



    Contents

    What to Look for in a Home Theater System

    Price will always determine the number of features offered in any home entertainment system, but here are some common considerations to keep in mind:

    Receiver – This is the centerpiece of a home theater system that links and controls all of the other components. Dolby Digital and DTS decoders are standard to play the surround sound channels on a DVD, and more advanced models will offer Dolby 6.1 or 7.1 compatibility for a more exciting audio environment.

    Speakers – Five speakers are the standard surround sound setup: two front speakers, one down the center, and two in the rear. More advanced systems will typically offer additional rear channel speakers. Speaker components are listed in shorthand, as in “5.1” or “7.1”: the first number is the number of speakers, and the second is the number of sub-woofers. Speakers sold as part of pre-packaged home theater systems are usually quite small and inconspicuous, but still deliver outstanding sound.

    CD and Radio Play – Almost all receivers will have a radio receiver, and may have a satellite radio input as well, along with preset buttons for up to twenty stations. The CD function should offer shuffle, track repeat, disc repeat, and similar conveniences.

    Advanced Connectivity – Newer systems feature USB ports, connection points for iPods or MP3 players, and a host of other options that can turn a home theater system into a multi-media engine.

    Added Features – Some systems have on-screen controls, which are often more convenient than trying to adjust settings on a small display screen. The receiver should have a number of custom equalizer settings, allowing you to reproduce at the touch of a button the sound profile you would get from a concert hall, movie theater, sporting event, etc.

    Popular Home Theater System Brands

    The list of outstanding manufacturers of home theater systems looks very similar to that of the electronics world at large, with a few names that might be new. Audio specialist Bose caters to the crowd looking for high-end products that deliver the best performance, regardless of price. Sony, Pioneer, and Samsung offer quality, well-reviewed products across the entire spectrum of the market. Panasonic, JVC, and LG are all known for mid-range models that offer the best compromise between performance and price. Samsung and Philips are known for their strong entry-level models, and Coby offers home theater systems that deliver solid performance at a bargain price.

    Popular Home Theater System products

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