Best type of surround sound speakers

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Content:

• Best Home Theater Systems of 2021
• Surround sound
• Ultimate surround sound guide: From DTS to Dolby Atmos, every format explained
• The Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems for Home Entertainment
• Best surround sound system 2021: the ultimate home theater systems for you
• Best surround sound system: our pick of home theater speakers, soundbars, and more
• Best home theater systems of 2021
• Want Better Sound? Add These Speakers to Instantly Upgrade Your Home Theater

WATCH RELATED VIDEO: HOW TO Set Up a 5.1 HOME THEATER Surround Sound Speaker System in 2020

Best Home Theater Systems of 2021

You see, before the coronavirus pandemic upended life as we knew it, theaters were in the midst of a renaissance of sorts. For instance, if you were watching an action movie and there was an explosion on the right side of the screen, half of the speakers in the theater would all play that same sound.

With Atmos, the sounds in a theater could now come from distinct locations determined by the professional audio mixers that had arranged them. This meant that, theoretically, theater operators were limited only by their appetite to add extra speakers and amplification. Digital music is also getting the Atmos treatment, with a number of streaming services Tidal, Amazon Music, and Apple Music, to name a few already taking advantage of Dolby Atmos Music , an offshoot of its theatrical, object-based sound technology.

This being a top-to-bottom surround sound guide, however, we need to journey back before we can move forward. Surround sound, at its most basic, involves a set of stereo front speakers left and right and a set of surround speakers, which are usually placed just to the sides and just behind a central listening position. The next step up involves the addition of a center channel: A speaker placed between the front left and right speakers that is primarily responsible for reproducing dialogue in movies.

Thus, we have five speakers involved. In this case, matrix refers to the encoding of separate sound signals within a stereo source. This approach was the basis for early surround-sound formats like Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic and was motivated in part by the limited space for discrete information on early audio-video media, such as VHS tape.

Dolby was able to allow home audio devices to decode two extra channels of sound from media like VHS tapes, which fed the center channel and surround speakers with audio. Because of the limited space, however, matrixed surround signals came with some limitations.

For instance, the surround channels in basic Pro Logic were not in stereo and had limited bandwidth. It was called Quadraphonic sound, and it first appeared on reel-to-reel tape. Unfortunately, Quadraphonic sound, which provided discrete sound from four speakers placed in each corner of a room, was confusing and short-lived — no thanks to companies battling over formats sound familiar?

Immersion in a three-dimensional audio sphere was not to be given up on, however. In , Dolby Laboratories introduced Dolby Surround, a technology that piggybacked a surround sound signal onto a stereo source through matrix encoding.

Since then, Dolby, DTS, and others have helped advance the state of home surround sound with a variety of iterations. In the next section, we trace this evolution — from the standard 5. Remember LaserDisc? Dolby took advantage of this and created AC-3, now known as Dolby Digital. This format improved on Pro Logic in that it allowed for stereo surround speakers that could provide higher bandwidth sound.

All the information in Dolby Digital 5. Sorry, Keanu. To this day, Dolby Digital 5. Dolby more or less dominated the surround sound landscape for years. Then, in , DTS came along, providing its own digital surround sound mixing services for movie production, first hitting theaters with Jurassic Park. The technology eventually trickled down to LaserDisc and DVD but was initially available on a very limited selection of discs.

DTS uses a higher bit rate and, therefore, delivers more audio information. Think of it as similar to the difference between listening to a kbps and kbps MP3 file. The quality difference is noticeable, but as with so many audio-related comparisons, not everyone is sold on it. The sixth speaker was to be placed in the center of the back of a room and was subsequently referred to as a back surround or rear surround.

This is where some confusion began to swirl. Recommended speaker placement, however, has always called for surround speakers to be placed to the sides and just behind the listening position. The point of the sixth speaker is to give the listener the impression that something is approaching from behind or disappearing to the rear. To make things even more confusing, each company offered different versions of 6. DTS, on the other hand, offered two separate 6.

Just when people started getting used to 6. Like 6. Those surround effects that once went to just one rear surround speaker could now go to two speakers in stereo. This development was enabled, in part, by the massive storage potential of Blu-ray. Those who bought a dedicated back surround speaker during the shift to 6. Dolby offers two different 7. Instead of using matrixing, it applies lossy compression to all of the discrete audio channels, which helps to take up less space on a Blu-ray disc.

Dolby TrueHD, on the other hand, is lossless. DTS also has two 7. DTS-HD is a lossy 7. Movie studios have to opt to mix for 7. There are other factors involved, too, with storage space being chief among them.

If a bunch of extras are placed on a disc, there may not be space for the additional surround information. In many cases, a 5. This is becoming less common, however, especially when it comes to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, which often support multiple seven-channel mixes. This processing mode is commonly used when watching non-HD TV channels with a stereo-only audio mix.

If your video source is presented in 5. Pro Logic IIx is subdivided into movie, music, and game modes. This form of matrix processing aims to add more depth and space to a soundtrack by outputting sounds from a whole new location in the room. Since IIz processing can be engaged with a 7. Despite the addition of these height channels, Pro Logic IIz does not enable a true 3D placement of sounds. Both connections outpu t the same information since, as far as Dolby and DTS are concerned, there is only one subwoofer track.

For most people, a single subwoofer will provide ample low-end bass and rumble. However, adding a second sub can enhance this effect, especially in larger media rooms. Check out our subwoofer placement guide to learn why a second sub might be right for you. DSX also allows for additional speakers beyond the core 5. With the addition of front width and front height channels on top of a 7. For instance, you might hear a helicopter take off from in front of you, hover over your head, and then disappear into the distance behind you.

Because these channels no longer need to extrapolate their signals from audio running to other speakers as they did with Pro Logic IIz 7. As mentioned above, the most common configurations are 5. In , Yamaha introduced the first Atmos-capable soundbar, the YSP , which uses up-firing drivers to bounce sound off the ceiling. Since then, soundbar manufacturers have fully embraced Dolby Atmos. Some achieve the Atmos effect using dedicated wireless surround speakers with up-firing drivers to complement the front speakers in the bar.

Others use a technique known as virtualized Dolby Atmos to convincingly simulate the Atmos effect using fewer speakers. Because Dolby Atmos can be calibrated for as few as two channels, we suppose this is technically accurate.

However, buyers should be aware that two-channel Atmos will never sound as good as discrete 5. Atmos is even starting to appear in some live broadcasts. In order to hear Dolby Atmos sound, every part of your home theater system — from the source to the speakers — needs to support it. Though still in its early stages, Dolby Labs has been working with major record labels and streaming services to develop the use of Dolby Atmos technology for music production. The concept is simple: Dolby Atmos Music uses all the same object-oriented 3D audio tools as the movie soundtrack version but puts them in the hands of professional music producers.

The result is immersive music that goes well beyond what traditional two-channel stereo or even quadraphonic sound can achieve. Unfortunately, Dolby Atmos Music is very limited at the moment. The only way to hear it using a Dolby Atmos-equipped home theater is to buy one of the very few Blu-ray discs that contain a Dolby Atmos Music mix, like the recently remastered and rereleased Kick by INXS.

In a few select clubs, Dolby Atmos Music is being used by DJs and other live performers to produce an immersive music environment for dance floors. Hopefully, Dolby will soon open the floodgates on Dolby Atmos Music and find more ways for folks to experience it. It too can be found on some streaming services, but as with Atmos Music, the devices needed to hear it are limited to just a few options for the moment. DTS:X aims to be more flexible and accessible than Atmos, making use of preexisting speaker layouts in theaters and supporting up to 32 different speaker configurations in the home.

Companies like Lionsgate and Paramount offer home releases in DTS:X, but its lack of widespread adoption on disc-based media — and zero adoption among streaming services — is its biggest limiting factor. DTS also recognizes that not all movie lovers have the space or the time to put together an object-based sound system. This technology first rolled out in soundbars , which makes sense, as they often only include a separate subwoofer and maybe a pair of satellite speakers at most.

Thanks to Denon and Marantz pushing it through as a firmware upgrade, you can now use it with your home speakers — though you have to pay for it. Despite apparent likeness to Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D creates a surround-sound experience through a three-tiered sound system.

Multiple speakers really showcase this kind of layered sound. We recommend eleven speakers to get the most out of the sound, making Auro-3D the most expensive setup you can recreate at home. While it may seem like things are getting more complicated, studio-quality home theater sound is more accessible than ever. With Tesla bleeding money, Elon Musk initiates hardcore spending review.

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Surround sound

This research by Headphones Pro Review is supported by our readers. We may earn a commission when you purchase through our links. Learn more. Are you looking for the best surround sound systems for your home theater? We know it is not an easy task to find a perfect surround sound system. So many factors like space, price, type of speakers, and more come into play when buying the best home theater systems. Which one will be apt for you and your family?

Ultimate surround sound guide: From DTS to Dolby Atmos, every format explained

From streaming soundbars to stereo loudspeakers to gigantic Dolby Atmos systems, these are the packages we recommend. If you're looking to upgrade the sound on your TV, there are plenty of options available, but first you need to decide if you want a soundbar or a home theater system. For the best performance possible, nothing beats an AV receiver and a multispeaker Dolby Atmos setup, but if you just want something simple and affordable, a soundbar is the answer. Soundbars are compact and offer a lot of performance in an affordable package. You can even get ones with advanced features like Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. The one thing that isn't typically possible is the ability to upgrade them -- though some soundbars pair with optional, separate subwoofers and rear speakers. If you want to mix and match speakers, then an AV receiver is for you. Receivers offer a lot in a fairly chunky box and, unlike soundbars, they have numerous HDMI inputs to accommodate many different sources. The ability to mix and match systems and speakers as you see fit can also be an engaging hobby.

The Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems for Home Entertainment

But you know you need the best surround sound system to unlock the ultimate experience for your ears. Surround sound gear has come a long way in recent years. Of course, if you're not so sure you need multiple speakers, you can check out our guide to the best soundbars. If your back holds out, that is….

Best surround sound system 2021: the ultimate home theater systems for you

It involves five speakers placed around the room, giving you truly immersive, degree sound. We haven't reviewed the models below just yet, so this list functions as a series of recommendations based on listed specs, audio capabilities and brand reputation. On this basis, though, here are our picks of the best surround sound systems around right now, wherever you are. Floorstanders are taller units that take up more room, while bookshelf speakers are small enough to fit on a shelf. Standmounts are somewhere in the middle. Some speaker packages offer a combination of these, and some let you mix and match, so you can tailor the package to your room.

Best surround sound system: our pick of home theater speakers, soundbars, and more

We picked the Polk Signature Series as our favorite because it delivers the best combination of performance, design, user-friendliness, and affordability. The speakers sounded as good as anything we tried in their price range, and they look terrific. The S15 bookshelf speaker pair sounds great, looks cool, and is surprisingly affordable. The Signature line includes a variety of models, but we recommend the S15 for the front left and right channels, the S10 as surround speakers, and the S35 center speaker. The S35 center channel sounded clear for dialogue in our tests, and its low-profile, 4. The B6. The B5.

Best home theater systems of 2021

You desire to bring the movie theater experience into your home? The overwhelming number of options on the market may make your head spin, from old-school multi-speakers systems to the all-in-one soundbars. Let us help you solve this shopping headache with our a-z reviews and buying guide, so you can enjoy your blockbusters wholly or be immersed in tranquil music without interference.

Want Better Sound? Add These Speakers to Instantly Upgrade Your Home Theater

Products featured are independently selected by our editorial team and we may earn a commission from purchases made from our links; the retailer may also receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. One of the first decisions you have to make when designing a home theater system is picking a set of speakers. If you want even more recommendations, be sure to check out our guides to the best bookshelf and floor standing speakers, along with our picks for the best Dolby Atmos speaker systems. Those of you who are seriously short of space should also check out our guide to best compact sound bars.

Sonance takes entertainment to a whole new level with a range of purpose-built products that are specifically designed to bring out the best in movies, gaming, concerts and multimedia content. From family rooms, living rooms and great rooms, right up to dedicated home theaters; Sonance surround sound and cinema products deliver exhilarating sonic performance without compromising the design cues of the space. With a focus on achieving premium performance for architectural surround sound, Sonance has set a new standard with Reference Speakers and Subwoofers. The minimalistic black perforated metal grille provides a seamless aesthetic that complements modern television designs, while the true 3-way speaker configuration and state-of-the-art driver materials delivers best-in-class sonic performance, with clarity, wide sound stage, and extremely natural sound. Sonance has a Subwoofer to suit every surround sound application. The range of in-wall, in-ceiling and cabinet subwoofers allows you to design a surround sound system that fits the style and space of your house. Sonance Surround Sound Sonance takes entertainment to a whole new level with a range of purpose-built products that are specifically designed to bring out the best in movies, gaming, concerts and multimedia content.

Which type of surround speaker is best for Atmos? Well, surround speaker type recommendations have changed over the years. Dolby Atmos is, among other things, a surround sound format that includes overhead speakers.