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With the way that TVs seem to get better and better every year for the same or a lower price, and with streaming services throwing theatrical releases and amazing, addictive series your way all the time, having a surround sound system is a nearly irresistible prospect. With today’s Dolby Atmos soundtracks that have a height dimension, sound effects move in 3D—from above and below, left and right, and in front or back—and having speakers that can reproduce those immersive elements makes home movie nights feel truly theatrical. However, while you could spend a fortune installing theater-style in-wall speakers into a dedicated theater room, you don’t have to in order to enjoy high-end height-based immersive sound. You can get good quality results even from a standalone soundbar or take progressive steps up to larger soundbar-based wireless systems or wired hi-fi speaker systems. Each variety is represented in our picks for the best surround sound systems, a group that meets different for movies, video games, and music in a range of sizes and prices.
How we chose the best surround sound systems
In choosing the best surround systems in 2024, we considered at least a hundred or more options. Every good TV needs a surround sound speaker companion, but not everyone’s space, budget, and tech preferences are the same. So we wanted to include a variety that runs the gamut from single soundbars to large, opulent wired speakers—both freestanding and in-wall units. In between are some excellent soundbar-based surround systems that connect wirelessly to subwoofers and rear surround speakers. While watching movies and TV is the principal pastime for surround sound system users, we also included some systems that offer special nods to gaming and music listening.
These recommendations result from a combination of first-hand…
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