If you're ready to upgrade your entertainment space with great-sounding audio, we've gathered a number of top-tier audio systems for your home theater.
Updated Jan. 1, 2024 5:00 p.m. PT
Written by
Ty Pendlebury
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission.
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Ty PendleburyEditor
Ty Pendlebury is a journalism graduate of RMIT Melbourne, and has worked at CNET since 2006. He lives in New York City where he writes about streaming and home audio.
ExpertiseTy has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He majored in Cinema Studies when studying at RMIT. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast.Credentials
Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.Read how we test products and services.
While a TV screen may be the first thing people notice about your living space, it's sound quality that can truly transform it into a home theater. Whether you want to invest in the best surround-sound system you can get, a 5.1 soundbar or a modest bookshelf speaker system we've got you covered.
At CNET, we test all kinds of home theater equipment based on our decades of experience testing and reviewing soundbars, speakers and AV systems. We endeavor to find the best home theater systems by conducting performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs. Whatever route you decide to go with -- soundbars or discrete surround sound -- there should be something here that will improve your home entertainment experience. We'll update this list periodically as we review new products.
Best home theater systems of 2024
Read our Roku Streambar review" page-position="" linktext="Read our Roku Streambar review" linkurl="https://www.cnet.com/reviews/roku-streambar-review/" can-collapse="true" collapse-on-page-load="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"d1ef0136-4f4c-46a6-8785-3ec0e1dbba3c","slug":"roku-streambar","name":"Roku Streambar","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"EZMONEY","mod":1698095987098}" overridecredit="Roku" overridecaption="" imagegroup="{"uuid":"99023eb5-f6e2-4f50-a5e9-17fc61a3de5c","alt":"A black Roku Streambar and remote.","caption":"","credits":"Roku","imageData":{"id":"99023eb5-f6e2-4f50-a5e9-17fc61a3de5c","filename":"014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/43d27691359f936d2f9639f64b220c6cf6f33f15/hub/2020/11/03/99023eb5-f6e2-4f50-a5e9-17fc61a3de5c/014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2020-11-03 01:19:07.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/43d27691359f936d2f9639f64b220c6cf6f33f15/hub/2020/11/03/99023eb5-f6e2-4f50-a5e9-17fc61a3de5c/014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Roku","imageAltText":"A black Roku Streambar and remote.","imageFilename":"014-roku-streambar-2020.jpg","imageWidth":756,"imageHeight":425,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2020-11-03","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="true" ng-block="{"id":"wepujg5shoszfw4","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__c9077a22-f8a3-4d75-9b36-196347c5bb86" index="1" imagecredit="Roku" tagslugs="roku,sennheiser,vizio,hv14" contenttype="Best List - Precap" isbestlistredesign="true" filtershortcodetypes="" totalfilteritems="0" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" showdetails="true" suppressautoplay="true" tocheadlineitem="[object Object]" class="c-bestListProductListing">
When it comes to bang for buck, it doesn't get much better than the Roku Streambar home theater system. This speaker offers both a dialogue-enhancing soundbar and a built-in 4K streamer in one package. If you want more bass or surround speakers, the system is also upgradable. Usually selling for $130, it's currently on sale for $100. Read our Roku Streambar review
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AV receiver, then speaker manufacturer Klipsch has you spoiled for choice. For under $400 you can currently buy either the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack or the step-up Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System. Both offer excellent sound quality, but given that the full-cream Atmos system is currently only $50 more or so, you should get that -- an unbelievable value. Read our Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System review" page-position="" linktext="Read our Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System review" linkurl="https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/klipsch-reference-cinema-system-5-1-4-with-dolby-atmos-review-great-sounding-instant-cinema-at-home/" can-collapse="true" collapse-on-page-load="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"84a1d7bf-7726-4445-af1d-eef2e0b8b5c7","label":"Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos","slug":"klipsch-reference-cinema-system-5-1-4-with-dolby-atmos","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"","imgUrl":null,"typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"84a1d7bf-7726-4445-af1d-eef2e0b8b5c7","slug":"klipsch-reference-cinema-system-5-1-4-with-dolby-atmos","name":"Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1698095986750}" overridecredit="Josh Goldman/CNET" overridecaption="" imagegroup="{"uuid":"d6fb788b-581f-42a2-9581-e80b71e005aa","alt":"Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 With Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers on a wood table with a purple background.","caption":"","credits":"Josh Goldman/CNET","imageData":{"id":"d6fb788b-581f-42a2-9581-e80b71e005aa","filename":"klipsch-speakers-02.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b970efb63d266637639292b4df14902043924b8a/hub/2023/03/15/d6fb788b-581f-42a2-9581-e80b71e005aa/klipsch-speakers-02.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2023-03-15 20:45:55.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b970efb63d266637639292b4df14902043924b8a/hub/2023/03/15/d6fb788b-581f-42a2-9581-e80b71e005aa/klipsch-speakers-02.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Josh Goldman/CNET","imageAltText":"Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 With Dolby Atmos surround sound speakers on a wood table with a purple background.","imageFilename":"klipsch-speakers-02.jpg","imageWidth":4100,"imageHeight":2309,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2023-03-15","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="false" ng-block="{"id":"8u96rp9a9vgbbm6","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__8f2cf054-ea17-4371-ac5e-c0d780308dde" index="2" imagecredit="Josh Goldman/CNET" tagslugs="roku,sennheiser,vizio,hv14" contenttype="Best List - Precap" isbestlistredesign="true" filtershortcodetypes="" totalfilteritems="0" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" showdetails="true" suppressautoplay="true" tocheadlineitem="[object Object]" class="c-bestListProductListing">
If you're looking for a surround set to pair with an AV receiver, then speaker manufacturer Klipsch has you spoiled for choice. For under $400 you can currently buy either the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack or the step-up Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System. Both offer excellent sound quality, but given that the full-cream Atmos system is currently only $50 more or so, you should get that -- an unbelievable value. Read our Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System review
ELAC's Andrew Jones just recently revised the Debut B6 speaker, now it's the Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($298/pair), and the sound is much improved. Home theater buyers can partner the Debut B6.2 with ELAC's matching Debut Series F5.2 towers ($299/each), C5.2 center channel speaker ($198) and an ELAC SUB3010 subwoofer ($449).
ELAC's Andrew Jones just recently revised the Debut B6 speaker, now it's the Debut 2.0 B6.2 ($298/pair), and the sound is much improved. Home theater buyers can partner the Debut B6.2 with ELAC's matching Debut Series F5.2 towers ($299/each), C5.2 center channel speaker ($198) and an ELAC SUB3010 subwoofer ($449).
If there's one area where we're spoiled for choice, it's affordable stereo speakers, and at just $350, the Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2s offer excellent playback of both movies and music. They offer a transparency that's unlike anything else near the price. While the Q Acoustic 3030is are more even-handed and have better bass response, they're also $549. Read our Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 review
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Vizio Elevate offers everything you'd want from a Dolby Atmos system. With great sound, excellent connectivity and numerous streaming options this soundbar is a sort of hybrid between a receiver-based system and a soundbar. That revolving height driver is also a party conversation starter." page-position="" linktext="Read our Vizio M512a-H6 review" linkurl="https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/vizio-m512a-h6-review-the-best-dolby-atmos-soundbar-for-the-money/" can-collapse="true" collapse-on-page-load="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"a4648383-e96c-4822-bbf3-de17fecbef93","label":"Vizio Elevate P514A-H6","slug":"vizio-elevate-p514a-h6","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"b83211e7-3a5d-4f88-882e-71c0a51ce9cb","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/b83211e7-3a5d-4f88-882e-71c0a51ce9cb/resize/75x56","typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"a4648383-e96c-4822-bbf3-de17fecbef93","name":"Vizio Elevate P514A-H6","slug":"vizio-elevate-p514a-h6","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1698095949046,"displayDate":"Mon Oct 23 2023 17:19:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)"}" overridecredit="Ty Pendlebury/CNET" overridecaption="" imagegroup="{"uuid":"502a5dda-0fe1-45b2-be82-d82129332714","alt":"Vizio M512 soundbar, subwoofer and speakers","caption":"","credits":"Ty Pendlebury/CNET","imageData":{"id":"502a5dda-0fe1-45b2-be82-d82129332714","filename":"7dm20216.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/95ba1c14e946101497b6a22faa8af083675d5e7a/hub/2021/09/22/502a5dda-0fe1-45b2-be82-d82129332714/7dm20216.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-09-22 20:46:09.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/95ba1c14e946101497b6a22faa8af083675d5e7a/hub/2021/09/22/502a5dda-0fe1-45b2-be82-d82129332714/7dm20216.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Ty Pendlebury/CNET","imageAltText":"Vizio M512 soundbar, subwoofer and speakers","imageFilename":"7dm20216.jpg","imageWidth":5472,"imageHeight":3648,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2021-09-22","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="true" ng-block="{"id":"ngv3oi8blagnpxc","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__61f86197-3d91-4d8a-b2ce-374730aedc36" index="4" imagecredit="Ty Pendlebury/CNET" tagslugs="roku,sennheiser,vizio,hv14" contenttype="Best List - Precap" isbestlistredesign="true" filtershortcodetypes="" totalfilteritems="0" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" showdetails="true" suppressautoplay="true" tocheadlineitem="[object Object]" class="c-bestListProductListing">
For around the same price as the Sonos Arc, the Vizio Elevate offers everything you'd want from a Dolby Atmos system. With great sound, excellent connectivity and numerous streaming options this soundbar is a sort of hybrid between a receiver-based system and a soundbar. That revolving height driver is also a party conversation starter.
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receiver -- especially if you're a gamer. The TX-NR6100 is a great receiver with excellent sound quality and an unbeatable streaming suite, including Chromecast built-in. Read our Onkyo TX-NR6100 review." page-position="" linktext="Read our Onkyo TX-NR6100 review" linkurl="https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/onkyo-tx-nr6100-review-the-swiss-army-knife-of-home-entertainment/" can-collapse="true" collapse-on-page-load="true" can-truncate="true" truncate-on-page-load="true" offer="{"id":"35b61b63-4760-4ede-8131-78b1531d6ae3","label":"Onkyo TX-NR6100","slug":"onkyo-tx-nr6100","edition":["US","ES"],"imageId":"310f67f0-af02-4934-b30b-aaaa54f393f0","imgUrl":"/content/image/redirect/310f67f0-af02-4934-b30b-aaaa54f393f0/resize/75x56","typeLabel":"Series","objectType":"content_product_series","icon":"type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product-series ct-small"}" techobjectinfo="{"uuid":"35b61b63-4760-4ede-8131-78b1531d6ae3","slug":"onkyo-tx-nr6100","name":"Onkyo TX-NR6100","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"PRISM","mod":1698095965064}" overridecredit="Ty Pendlebury/CNET" overridecaption="" imagegroup="{"uuid":"d0cc9e46-bebf-468c-a461-da01e655fbf8","alt":"onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003","caption":"","credits":"Ty Pendlebury/CNET","imageData":{"id":"d0cc9e46-bebf-468c-a461-da01e655fbf8","filename":"onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/2840ce6c8f148d003453a841222dd8fb299f4cc6/hub/2021/11/24/d0cc9e46-bebf-468c-a461-da01e655fbf8/onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","dateCreated":{"date":"2021-11-24 18:05:57.000000","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false},"size":"","float":"","lightbox":false,"imageUrl":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/2840ce6c8f148d003453a841222dd8fb299f4cc6/hub/2021/11/24/d0cc9e46-bebf-468c-a461-da01e655fbf8/onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003.jpg?auto=webp&height=500","imageCaption":"","imageCredit":"Ty Pendlebury/CNET","imageAltText":"onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003","imageFilename":"onkyo-tx-nr6100-receiver-cnet-review-2021-003.jpg","imageWidth":4000,"imageHeight":2667,"imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageDateCreated":"2021-11-24","imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}" usepricing="true" ng-block="{"id":"f8e8w5einhflpdz","type":"listicle"}" edition="us" data-key="cnetlisticle__5c3a4799-74a0-4229-a84b-967323ee38ca" index="5" imagecredit="Ty Pendlebury/CNET" tagslugs="roku,sennheiser,vizio,hv14" contenttype="Best List - Precap" isbestlistredesign="true" filtershortcodetypes="" totalfilteritems="0" pagelayout="FAQ Markup + BL Precap" showdetails="true" suppressautoplay="true" tocheadlineitem="[object Object]" class="c-bestListProductListing">
You may not be able to watch 8K video right now, but it's still worth buying an 8K-compatible receiver -- especially if you're a gamer. The TX-NR6100 is a great receiver with excellent sound quality and an unbeatable streaming suite, including Chromecast built-in. Read our Onkyo TX-NR6100 review.
If you demand the best Dolby Atmos performance from a single soundbar, it doesn't get any better than the Sennheiser Ambeo Max audio system. It's not cheap, and it's not small, but if you want the best sound, this is it. Read our Sennheiser Ambeo Max review
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How CNET tests home theater systems
CNET's AV studio where I test audio equipment
Ty Pendlebury/CNET
CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of its soundbar and AV system testing, from simple stereo speakers to Dolby Atmos systems. In the CNET AV Lab, I do comparative testing, pitting similar systems against each other side by side.
I evaluate the performance of each system with a number of different types of content, including movies, music, TV shows and games. I use a number of test scenes -- including the opening of Mad Max: Fury Road for playback of the spatial audio standard Dolby Atmos for systems and soundbars that support it. I also use the Thanator Attack scene of Avatar (26.53) to test a product's dynamics and detail retrieval.
When it comes to music, I use a number of CNET test tracks which you can find here in a Tidal or Spotify playlist. Tracks such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Red Right Hand, with its deep bass and tenor vocals, help determine a system's ability to track male voices in particular, without sounding congested. The song also helps with uncovering hidden details and the relative dynamics a speaker system is capable of. Using both types of content -- movies and music -- I then grade the sound quality of each product. I evaluate characteristics such as speech clarity, dynamics/volume, bass response and musical playback.
CNET's dedicated audio lab in downtown New York includes a selection of televisions (with HDMI eARC), plus Apple TV 4K streamer and Roku Ultra streamers, a Microsoft Xbox Series X and an Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player. I also use Roon music software to stream to individual devices or the Oppo player as needed.
Factors to consider when buying a home theater system
Soundbars offer a lot of performance in a compact package, and cost much less to get up and running than a speaker system. You can even choose one with advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. Some soundbars offer an upgrade path including optional subwoofers and rear speakers which is a great feature.
If you want to truly mix and match speakers, however, an AV receiver is for you. Unlike soundbars, receivers are able to support many more sources including record players and FM radio with six or more HDMI inputs. You can start your system with just a couple of stereo speakers, but given you can get a full 5.1.4 Klipsch system for under $500 you don't really need to wait.
Home theater system FAQs
Which is the best 5.1 home theater system for movies?
To play movies well, a 5.1 channel system needs to be dynamic -- to literally go from a whisper to a shout (or explosion) at a moment's notice. To best reproduce this you'll need a subwoofer, especially if you're using a soundbar. In addition, dialog needs to be clear and surround effects seamless in their transitions between speakers. When it comes to AV receivers I have found both Onkyo's TX-6100 and TX-Z50 to offer all of these attributes at reasonable prices, especially when paired with a Klipsch surround sound set. On the other hand, the best soundbars I've heard for movies are the higher-end Vizios, the Sonos Arc, Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and the Sennheiser Ambeo Max.
What is the cost of good home theatre setup?
No matter your budget you should be able to find a system that suits you, though the more you spend, likely the better it will be. If you want a great home theater system, expect to pay at least $500 -- this will buy you the all-in-one Vizio M512a soundbar, for example. Meanwhile, a great AV and speaker combination such as the TX-SR6100 and the Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System, will set you back $939. It's possible to spend a lot more than this, and if you're looking to build a dedicated room (or renovate a basement) you'll easily run up tens of thousands of dollars.
What is the difference between a home theater system and surround sound?
A home theater system doesn't need to mean a room full of speakers -- a stereo system can easily be a "home theater". But surround sound implies it has dedicated surround speakers, and it will offer better immersion than a stereo or even-the-best simulated surround systems.
What is the best home theatre speaker layout?
I would suggest a 5.1.2 surround sound setup is suitable for rooms of any size, even if you have a smaller room. Breaking it down this is a left and right speaker, center, rear surrounds, a subwoofer and two height speakers (usually in the front). I've seen people layout 5.1-channel speakers in a line under the TV and while this will work, barely, it's best to arrange them around the seating area. Left and right speakers beside the TV (with Dolby heights directly on top), the center below the TV, and surrounds behind and slightly above you. Meanwhile, setting up a subwoofer is an art, and while it can literally go anywhere, you can follow these tips for good subwoofer sound.
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