BEST HOME THEATER SYSTEM 2017
Over the course of last couple of decades, innovations in video and home audio equipment have offered customers the opportunity to create their own theaters in their home. Faced with the difficulty of buying movie tickets, crowds, expensive snacks and drinks and common problems with video and audio quality in huge multiscreen theaters, people have chosen to create their own theaters at home.
Today HDTVs deliver stunning pictures but most have small built-in speakers that fail to deliver convincing loud sound. It requires a separate sound system to provide engaging, realistic audio to match the quality of a high-def picture.
A home theater can be simple (home theater system in a box or a shelf system, with DVD/CD player, digital processing, radio tuner, amplifier and speakers all built in and bundled together) or complex (a separate based system with surround sound system, DVD player, amplifiers, speakers, a projector, subwoofer, a line doubler). Most home theater systems fall somewhere in between.
To give you more detail about a home theater system, we have enlisted some of the best home theater systems along with the required information for buying a best one for you.
Onkyo HT-S3700 5.1- Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker package:
The Onkyo HT-3700 5.1 is one of the best home theater systems and is loaded with latest connections, powerful and ready to drive you on a high-resolution sonic adventure. This sound system is included with everything needed to supercharge games, movies and music.
Its dynamic high current amplification is capable of filling your room with clean and punchy sound and handling the Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks on Blu-ray disc smoothly. To connect all your gaming consoles and media players, it features six of the new 4K/60Hz HDMI 2.0 inputs. There is an HDMI output with ARC that adds surround sound to broadcast TV and also DSP-optimized Bluetooth to stream music wirelessly from smartphone, laptop or tablet.
This home theater system has stylish full-range speakers and subwoofer and is easy to use because of overlaid setup menus and for different types of content; there are selectable listening modes available.
The Onkyo HT-S3700 5.1 has built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR and DSP optimization for wireless audio streaming therefore you don’t need wires, no dongles, no mess. You just have to pair your Bluetooth capable device and you are able to stream directly to your home theater. Compensating for compression, with the Advanced Music Optimizer DSP, music sounds better via Bluetooth than ever.
Pros:
Wonderful amplifier features like PLL and H.C.P.S
Easy operation
Phase matching bass enhancement feature
Cons:
Difficult remote control
No manual
The Onkyo HT-S3700 5.1 is a power packed and feature rich one of the best home theater systems.
Bose CineMate 15 Home Theater Speaker System:
It is one of the best home theater systems. It features an audio bar which unlike most soundbars in the market is one of the smallest. It strikes a powerful appearance in your entertainment system when accompanied with Acoustimass module. Encased in stylish black finish, both of them blend well with the rest of your entertainment system.
By using only one cable wire, it is easy to connect to your TV. It also offers multiple audio inputs including analog inputs, coaxial inputs and digital optical inputs. A universal IR remote control is provided with the package and allows you to control all adjustments and settings including the attached media devices.
Despite the small sound bar system, the Bose CineMate 15 home theater system is designed to give large sounds. The main speaker itself delivers and disperses impressive sounds with exact precision because of the four-element speaker array located inside the system. The speaker arrangement also works with Bose TrueSpace signal processing technology in order to spread sounds further. Accompanying Acoustimass module provides you rich and powerful bass sounds.
Pros:
Compact soundbar
Good sound
Easy to set up
Cons:
No Bluetooth connectivity
If you are looking for a compact home theater system that helps you save space, then this small and compact home theater system that is capable of producing larger than life sounds then this is for you. The only downside to this home theater system is that the Acoustimass module requires 2 cords to connect to the soundbar.
Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System (Set of six, Black):
The Energy Take Classic 5.1 is glossy black six piece theater system with four satellite speakers, a subwoofer and one central speaker. It is one of the best home theater systems which doesn’t occupy a lot of space and is a good fit for apartments and small rooms.
Each of the satellite speakers stands 6.875 inches tall and weighs 2.9 pounds. To add body to the audio they house a small woofer. They are wall-mountable. The central speaker works great in replicating TV and movie dialogue. It is designed to be positioned horizontally, adjacent to the TV. Though the subwoofer weighing 19.7 pounds is the heftiest piece in the Energy Take Classic 5.1, it is fairly compact with cubelike body so you can also tuck it easily.
The Energy Take Classic 5.1 provides clear, warm, articulate and well-balanced sound. Audio output sounds natural for movies and you can hear details in the sound. The clear sound of the speakers is attributed to the way this home theater system has aligned its internal components. The central and satellite speakers are equipped with 0.75 inch tweeter that replicates high frequencies and a 3 inch woofer that handles midrange registers.
Pros:
Seamless transition between satellites speakers and subwoofer
Beautiful black gloss finish
Stellar sound quality
Cons:
Subwoofer is sensitive to the placement
The Energy Take Classic 5.1 home theater is beautifully designed speaker set. For small to medium size living rooms, it would be a solid choice for home theater systems.
Yamaha YHT-4920UBL 5.1- Channel Home Theater in a Box System with Bluetooth:
Yamaha YHT-4920UBL is the mid grade home theater system in a box of the company. It has small yet might speaker system. It includes an impressive subwoofer, five speakers but a downgraded AV receiver.
The 7 inch front speakers have a wide frequency response that enables you to hear both sounds on low and high end. The subwoofer emits frequencies from 30 to 200Hz. Putting that in context, sound waves from explosions and bass guitars travel around 30 Hz.
Yamaha has included several adjustable settings ensuring that you get most out your home theater is a box system. The receiver can be adjusted to different modes depending on what you are listening. Another feature of this home theater system is the Virtual Cinema Front which means that you are able to configure your setup differently if you live in a small room or apartment, providing you with virtual surround sound.
The AV receiver included is not as impressive as other models but it still offers enough ports for most people and it also supports Bluetooth enabling you to stream music wirelessly. It houses four HDMI inputs and can transmit 4K video at 60 frames per second. It also supports a copyright protection standard HDCP 2.2.
Pros:
Virtual Cinema Front setting
Have it all in one
Cons:
Doesn’t support Wi-Fi
If you are looking for a home theater system on a budget, the Yamaha’s YHT-4920UBL is the best home theater in a box system.
Bose SoundTouch 130 Home Theater System:
Four major things come in a package with Bose SoundTouch 130 home theater system, which are the Acoutimass, soundbar, wireless adapter and a remote console. It also provides a bunch of cables and a remote control for powering up and feeding audio.
The soundbar is quite long measuring up to 37 inches in length but weight is well balanced having center of gravity somewhere in the middle which indicates a symmetrical speaker positioning inside. There are six drivers inside, two on the either ends, three in the middle and one radiating towards the bottom. There are two phase guides on each side that are designed to help achieve beam formation giving a virtual surround sound effect.
The Bose Acoustimass works on waveguide technology combining the sound generated by three different speakers. the Acoustimass is wireless so you can place it anywhere in 30 feet range of the wireless adapter and the soundbar.
The control console has four HDMI inputs which make it easier to switch between sources. There is a 3.5mm headphone jack, coaxial input, stereo input from RCA cables and optical input as well. The console is capable of a 4K video pass through.
Pros:
Balanced and crisp audio
Online radio streaming over Wi-Fi
Can be mounted in any orientation
Cons:
Plastic body
May be considered expensive
The lows from Acoustimass are underpowered
Bose SoundTouch 130 is one of the best home theater systems and has a great combination of latest technology and sleek design.
Bose SoundTouch 520 Home Theater System:
The Bose SoundTouch 520 is a 5.1 one of the best home theater systems with an Acoustimass wireless bass module and five small speakers. It also features a programmable universal IR remote, a control console, a soundTouch wireless adapter II and ADAPTiQ audio calibration headset. The SoundTouch wireless adapter allows you to play music through the system via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
The Bose SoundTouch 520 features a wider single centre speaker and four slim-profile direct/reflecting Series II speakers. Each speaker has two transducers that are set at angles customized for a surround sound experience. If you want to mount the speakers either on the wall or on a stand, you will require the mounts separately from Bose. The five small speakers are wired. Apart from the small size of speakers, the speakers combine with Acoustimass module producing great sound for movies and gaming.
The bass is solid and the mids and highs sound good. Bose doesn’t offer full technical specifications for the system. The Acoustimass module may not provide great bass response but many users especially having small or medium sized room will be pleased.
A key selling point for the system is the SoundTouch wireless adapter II. It allows you to stream songs through Spotify, iHeartRadio, internet radio stations, Deezer and Apndora as well as from your music library. The adapter is powered by Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The music can be controlled through the Bose SoundTouch app and included universal remote.
Pros:
Easy to setup
Doubles as a music system
Links with other SoundTouch speakers
Cons:
Doesn’t excel as a music system
App requires active internet connection
It is a great home theater system also has the option of being a music system. The sound is great for movies though the bass is not particularly outstanding.
Klipsch HDT-600 Home Theater System:
The Klipsch HD 600 home theater system comes with a matching center channel speaker, four satellite speakers and a powerful subwoofer. It is a complete and compact surround sound system that affordably adds brilliant music, crisp dialogue and explosive effects to your video content.
The HD surround sound system 600 brings horn-loaded technology to your home theater system showcasing every film’s score, effects and dialogue with incredible detail. For increased output, every speaker uses Klipsch Micro Tractix horns with improved long-throw IMG woofers expanding midbass bandwidth for a bigger and fuller sound.
The home theater system’s 8 inch, fiber composite, down-firing woofer truly makes its presence felt with bass that is bolstered by bass reflex design and a solid MDF cabinet. Each can be positioned vertically or horizontally with optional floor-stand mounting and adjustable wall brackets giving you complete control over the ultimate cinema experience.
The surround sound system 600 has a redesigned subwoofer with enhanced circuitry that enables it both go deeper and maintaining tighter bass especially at higher outputs. The woofers included in the speakers are also of new design with a conical shape that lessens driver breakup and distortion and increased excursion and extended voice coil provide additional midbass output.
Pros:
Excellent midrange articulation
Surprisingly potent subwoofer
Well-balanced, clear and exciting sound
Cons:
Flimsy plastic binding posts
May be considered pricey
Bright and a little thin sounding with music
The Klipsch 600 home theater system delivers stylish and unobtrusive home theater speaker system at a good price.
Monoprice 10565 Premium 5.1 Channel Home Theater System with Subwoofer:
The Monoprice 10565 Premium 5.1 Channel home theater system provides big home theater sound for smaller rooms and tighter budgets. This surround sound system features an 8 inch powered subwoofer and five speakers.
The central channel speaker is a two-way reflex design incorporating polypropylene midrange/woofer, an aluminum Dome tweeter and two small rear mounted ports. The speaker has a solid fiberboard construction having a matte black finish. The four satellite speakers are also two-way bass reflex incorporating one polypropylene midrange/woofer, an aluminum Dome tweeter and one rear port. The satellite speakers are of same fiberboard build and matte black finish.
The Monoprice 10565 home theater system includes the powered subwoofer that also incorporates a Bass Reflex design evidenced by the combination of front facing port with an 8 inch down firing driver. The built-in subwoofer amplifier delivers 200 watts of power.
The center channel performs well as dialog and vocal anchor which is the main task of the center channel speaker. Midrange frequencies are emphasized but very high frequencies are a little subdued, transient sound detail and softening high frequency. The front placed satellite speakers provide accurate left and right soundstage and the surround satellites provide good directional placement of sound effects.
Pros:
Fewer prices as compared to other sounding the same
Cons:
The matte black finish is not as stylish as others
One year warranty
Despite its low price point, the Monoprice- channel speaker system delivers a credible surround sound for both music and movies.
Pioneer HTP-074 5.1 Channel Home Theater Package:
The Pioneer HTP-074 5.1 Channel Home Theater Package is a full audio system that you can hook up to a variety of audio sources including televisions. The 5.1 channel AV receiver utilizes advanced 4K Ultra-High Definition Pass-Through and an ECO mode for saving energy. For people who are interested in enhancing their home cinema experience, this audio system is worth looking for. One of the interesting features of this one of the best home theater systems is that it offers Apple connectivity.
Its front USB input supports music playback and control via iPads and iPhones enabling you to play music through them. This home theater system comes with two small front satellite speakers as well as soundbar and subwoofer. Another positive feature of this home theater system is that it is compatible with Apple devices and is also 3D ready (games, broadcast and Blu-ray discs).
It delivers clear and crisp sound. What makes it top of the line AV system is its 4K Ultra HD compatibility. 4K UHD is a high definition video display with 1080p resolution and this home theater system fully supports this.
Pros:
Supports 4K UHD display
Offers Apple connectivity
Impressive overall sound quality
The Pioneer HTP-074 5.1 Channel Home Theater is a great investment for those planning to have a state-of-the-art home entertainment system. With a fair price tag, it is definitely one of the best home theater packages for the amount of money it costs.
Sony DAVTZ140 DVD Home Theater System:
To create the perfect movie going experience, the Sony DAV-TZ140 DVD Home Cinema System is all you need. It features an integrated DVD player with upscaling and to enjoy DVD at near HD quality, it features an HDMI output. You can enjoy high quality sound and picture through one cable with HDMI connectivity. It also cut down wires to keep your environment clutter-free.
The 5.1 speaker system provides detailed audio with Dolby Digital and Prologic decoding delivers a theatrical experience in the comfort of your home. The home theater system has a USB port that allows you to load media from a USB device. The DAV-TZ140 surround sound system adds immersive 5.1 surround sound to your home theater system that you right in the middle of your movies and music.
Its powerful cinema surround sound brings the sound of movie theater in your home with 5.1ch surround sound including a compact subwoofer and micro-satellite speakers. you can watch DVD in high definition because with HDMI upscaling, DVDs look and sound better taking picture and audio closer to high definition. The USB port allows you to play a wide variety of files from a hard drive or memory stick directly. The remote control is easy to use. The compact player, subwoofer and speakers make this best surround sound system compact and decent in any living room. This surround sound system is also simple to mount with wall hanging speakers.
Pros:
High quality picture
Clear and detailed audio
Space saving home cinema
Cons:
Scores a bit low on surround sound effect
This surround sound system is compact in size with quick, fool-proof setup and a great sound.
Samsung HT-J550W 5.1 Channel 1000-watt 3D Blu-Ray Home Theater System:
The Samsung’s HT-J550W 5.1 surround sound system is one of the best home theater systems with wireless speakers. It features a built-in Blu-ray player supporting 3D video and Wi-Fi which allows you to access to great time of entertainment. However its audio performance lacks a bit.
This sound surround system’s frequency response is not as wide as other systems but it does have impressive bass that hits the low end 20Hz. It however struggles on the high end reaching 20kHz. It doesn’t mean that the sound quality is poor; it is just not as impressive as others.
One major downfall of this surround sound system is its lack of HDMI inputs because of this you will not be able to plug in additional devices by HDMI. Fortunately it does feature a USB port which allows you to plug in an external flash drive or external hard drive for playing stored music and video or looking through photos. This surround sound system has a built-in disc player that is capable of playing DVDs, CDs and Blu-ray discs including 3D discs. It also allows you to cast music wirelessly via Bluetooth or you can also listen to the onboard FM radio.
Pros:
Support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
Plays 3D Blu-ray discs
Cons:
Audio performance lacks as compared to others
You trade convenience for sound quality with Samsung’s HT-J550W surround sound system. It is not as impressive surround sound system as others but it is also not bad either. It’s easy setup, Wi-Fi support and Blu-ray player are impressive features.
Longitech Z906 Surround sound Speakers:
The Longitech Z906 surround sound system comes with a powered subwoofer and a set of five compact satellite speakers which altogether muster an impressive 500W of power. If you are looking nothing more or less than head-throbbing volume, these surround sound speakers are especially good. Because the speaker cones are made from paper, they don’t reflect sound.
The frequency ranges between 35Hz and 20kHz. It however still misses the lowest lows of audible spectrum. If you are watching a movie high in treble or bass, you might not feel sound as full as it could be. The subwoofer of Z906 is a bass reflex meaning it has an internal amplifier for more full sound. These home theater speakers support game consoles that allows you to play with surround sound effects. It also allows you to plug in your iPad to use this system to listen your favorite music.
This surround sound system’s speakers are wall mountable, so you can position them where you get sound that is best for your room. Don’t place speakers too close to your TV as these speakers are not magnetically shielded. It may also interfere with your TV signal distorting the color of the picture.
Pros:
The speakers deliver high volume output
Cons:
2-year warranty is shorter than average
The Logitech Z906 surround sound system is for you is you are looking for high volume. But you cannot expect it to hammer your eardrums with elegance and intensity at the same time.
Key Factors to Best Home Theater System:
Whether you are looking for a complete home theater system or to add to your existing setup, following are the considerations that you should keep in mind.
TVs:
One of the main considerations for the type of TV you need depends upon the room lighting you will be primarily watching in. for dim lit or dark room, we will recommend OLED or Plasma, for brightly lit room, LED or LCD would be great and for normal lighting conditions, you should go for LED or OLED.
Screen Size:
If you are planning to get an immersive home theater system, you should consider a 50” class TV or larger. Due to sleek design of modern TVs, larger screens take much less space than you might think. Because the size of the bezel has become much thinner in recent years, the dimensions of a new 60” TV with a thin bezel are almost the same as 55” older TV.
Resolution:
Resolution is one of the key factors in receiving better picture quality.
2160p also known as 4K, Ultra HD or UHD, 4K Ultra HD. 4K TVs offer the best and newest resolution available in the market. They deliver four times the resolution of 1080p TVs and produce clear and detailed images.
1080p allows you to watch Blu-ray movies, TV programming at their highest detail level and full HD content.
720p provides HD quality picture for TV shows and DVD movies and are often available at affordable prices.
Projectors:
For larger than life cinematic, gaming and sporting experience, a projector will project images greater than the size of the largest flat screen TV without compromising image quality.
Home theater Audio:
Sound bars- the sleek speakers provide a suitable alternative to setting up multiple speakers, as you can position a single sound bar in front of/below your TV or mount on the wall.
Home theater in a box:
These systems provide everything you require for true surround sound audio in a single package. The most common of these systems include 5.1 channel surround sound (5 signifies the number of speakers included and .1 signifies one subwoofer).
Home theater video:
For videos, different players are available such as Blu-ray players, Standalone Streaming players and others like TiVo or Slingbox that allows you to watch and control TV and all of its love programming over the internet.
Smart Home Theater System:
Now you can also get a world of streaming entertainment and connectivity from smart TVs, streaming players, Blu-ray players, sound bars, gaming consoles and A/V receivers as smart technology is opening up new possibilities.
Wireless and Multiroom audio:
With wireless and multiroom audio you can free yourself from cables and can send music all around your home. Wireless audio systems and speakers are great for streaming music, podcasts and radio station to any room you want.
Build your own surround sound system:
Choosing components individually makes you select the features you want and to build your setup over time if you need to. As if you want a high quality audio for your music collection, start with two powerful floor speakers for rich stereo sound. With the passage of time, as you build your surround sound system, add a central speaker for clear movie dialogue and for even more powerful bass, add a subwoofer or later on purchase rear speakers.
Mistakes to avoid:
Sometimes you purchase a thing spending lots of money but as you get home you realize you have lost thousands of dollars because that thing doesn’t work as you expected. You can also make mistakes at setting your home theater. Before you go and splurge on the wrong home theater system, do consider following home theater buying mistakes.
Buying an all inclusive package without testing:
Don’t rush and be careful on buying a home theater in a box. What you might consider a good deal can be lacking something such as loudspeakers which are the most important element of a home theater system. If you have not tested sound output and quality before buying, there would be a decent chance to get disappointed.
Depending on your room size, your listening preferences and the height of the ceiling can influence speakers you go with. Take your music with you and test it then you will be able to make a good comparison about sound quality.
Oversizing or undersizing:
Normally bigger is better but not always. If you have a small lounge room then be careful while considering the biggest HDTV sets out there as it will cause the table tennis effect drifting your neck left to right to watch all the action. On the other hand, the HDTV pictures may appear smaller at home than that it did in showroom setting. It is better to have a smaller screen with good resolution than sacrificing the resolution for a larger screen.
Buying the wrong speakers:
For watching movies with a wide soundscape, if you want solid output then purchasing small cube or small box speakers will not give you the richness of sound and lower frequencies needed. If there are no floor standing speakers then a sub-woofer is must for a sound depth. If you don’t have enough space for a surround sound option, then left/right floor standing speakers or a soundbar will provide bass that smaller speakers are not capable for.
Price over Brand:
Price matters a lot but it is also the fact that you shouldn’t be too thrifty getting the best deal. Market is flooded with cheap electronics but it is generally true that you get what you pay for. Cheaper products are usually striped down version of their counterparts, not offering reliability or longevity.
It is not necessary to purchase all the components of same brand for a home theater system. Sometimes it is better to get components of different brands which are renowned for that particular product. It all depends on the situation as some brands are known for their video and others for their audio. A quality brand may not be cheap but it will perform well and reliably.
Choosing the wrong AV receiver:
Some buyers make mistake of buying an amplifier but not investing in speakers that will do justice to the output, resulting in tinny and thin sound. Buying gadgets or a receiver that doesn’t accommodate future technology is where people also go wrong. Make sure you always have HDMI inputs even if you don’t have a HDTV. In this case your receiver will be able to accommodate future technologies.
Which Home Theater is Right for You?
The choices on the market are dizzying when it comes to selecting a home theater system. When it comes to selecting the right system for you, start with the size of your room and its lighting. Select a home theater system that is right for your lifestyle and budget.
Before buying a system take an inventory of all the components you already have including your current TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, game consoles, speakers and cable box.
TV- if you are not sure what size of screen you should be looking at then it is good to start looking at the screen about two-thirds the size of the distance you are going to watch from. A 48 inch screen would be great if you sit 6 feet from the TV.
Sound bars- sound bars include two speakers and one subwoofer; these can’t give you immersive sound experience that you can get from 5.1 or 7.1 speaker system. If your taste lean more towards TV shows or if your room can’t accommodate many speakers, you will get superior sound from a sound bar.
Surround sound- you need at least 5.1 audio system to have surround sound. Three speakers go on each side or slightly behind your couch and three in the front of the room. You also require a receiver capable of directing the proper sound to each speaker. With a 6.1, 7.1 system, the additional speakers can be mounted or go behind the couch. For best results, there should be at least 5 feet distance between each speaker and 2 feet from any corner. You should select a surround system considering your room space.
All in one solution- if you don’t want to incorporate your current speakers into your home theater system or you don’t want the hassle in figuring out how to connect them consider all in one home theater systems.
Building it yourself- if you have a good set of speakers and decide to incorporate them into your home theater system, then one thing to consider is a receiver capable of connecting everything you have. Receiver need to support surround sound system if you want surround sound such as 5.1 or 7.1 channel system.
We have listed some of the best surround sound systems. According to your requirements you have to select a best surround sound system for you that not only give you great performance but are also reliable.