Comparisons.us is a comparison website - we do not rank or rate products. We do come up with pros and cons based on publicly available comments and feedback. Our goal is to provide consumers with the information they need to make informed decisions. When you call, click on or purchase something on Comparisons.us we may receive compensation. As an Amazon Associate Comparisons.us earns from qualifying purchases. Additionally, we do not list every product or service available in each respective category.

Home Theatre Systems

Home Theatre Systems Overview

Everyone loves movies and there's no better past time than enjoying the movie theatre experience. The popcorn, the big screen and the sound, there's nothing like it. That said, going to the movies these days can get expensive and seeing every movie in the theatre is not a realistic proposition. Plus, with the emergence of TV streaming services, television has never been better as well. So how can you get all of the benefits of the movie theatre experience at home?

As we all know, TV and Projector technology exploded over the past couple of decades and getting a large screen with perfect quality has never been more affordable. However, a big screen is only half the battle. To get a true home theatre experience, the key is in the audio. Part of the appeal of a movie theatre is in the sound and while your TV or projector may be big and clear, the built-in speakers are just not good enough. You need a home theatre surround sound speaker system.

So what does a home theatre system consist of exactly? You've bought your big screen TV or Projector and movies look great but, as we've established, their speakers are sub-par at best. For the full home cinema experience, a surround sound receiver and speaker package is a must. There are many to choose from, and in some cases, receivers and speakers come together while others are sold separately. Both are important in finding the best sound for your space and both come in many varieties.

Let’s start with receivers as they are basically the command station for your home theatre that is used to power and process your speakers. They can also serve as a connection hub for multiple other HDMI devices such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, or streaming boxes so ensuring they have HDMI connections is essential. Another important thing to consider when buying a receiver is deciding how many speakers you plan on using. For instance, speaker packages can come in a 5.1 surround format (5 speakers plus sub-woofer), while others can be 7.1 (7 speakers). Same goes for receivers where a 5.1 system has 5 speaker connections and 7.1 has 7 so a 7.1 speaker package would not be compatible with a 5.1 receiver. Other things to look for are Bluetooth and Wifi compatibility and even voice control capability in some cases.

Once you've decided on a receiver, it’s time to pick your speakers. As mentioned above, speaker packages come in varying sizes with as little as 3 speakers and as many as 7, but the most common set up is 5. A typical 5.1 package includes 3 front speakers (Left/Right/Center), 2 rear speakers (Left/Right) and subwoofer for bass. A 7.1 system adds more rear speakers for even better surround sound while a 3 piece comes as a soundbar for the front and 2 rear speakers. The size of your room would determine which way to go.

Now that you've determined that, you'll have to factor in other things like budget, space size, and volume limitations. If you're on a lower budget, buying a Receiver/Speaker package is more affordable but they do tend to be more entry-level in terms sound quality. The more you're willing to spend, the better quality of sound you will get. For smaller spaces, a soundbar may be the best bet, while a 5.1 works well in most standard sized rooms. If you've got a large viewing room, a 7.1 may be ideal for you. You also need to consider how loud you need your system to be. If you're in an apartment or condo, buying a super loud system may get you in trouble with your neighbors.

So you've determined your needs, now it's time to go shopping. There are countless options out there, so we have put together a list of some of the best home theatre systems on the market to help you with your decision. Happy shopping!