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10 Best Surround Sound Systems 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer and surround sound speakers (newest model), 5.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus offers an impressive 5.1 channel surround sound experience, making it a strong contender for anyone looking to elevate their home theater setup. It includes a subwoofer and two surround speakers, which add depth and immersion to movies, music, and gaming. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X enhances audio quality, allowing sound to move around you, creating a more lifelike and engaging experience. One of the standout features is the dedicated center channel for crystal clear dialogue, ensuring you don’t miss any key conversations during shows or movies.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,430
Channels
Connectivity

Most important from
210 reviews

Channels
Voices are crystal clear, even for someone with hearing difficulties, thanks to the dedicated center channel and adjustable dialog levels.
Connectivity
The soundbar connected and paired instantly with my TV, making setup a breeze.
#2
9.6 score

JBL Bar 9.1 - Channel Soundbar System with Surround Speakers and Dolby Atmos, Black

The JBL Bar 9.1 is a strong contender in the surround sound system category, offering an impressive 820W output power that can fill a room with rich audio. Featuring Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding, it provides an immersive sound experience ideal for movie lovers and gamers alike. One standout feature is the detachable battery-powered surround speakers, allowing for true surround sound without the hassle of wires, which is a significant plus for those seeking a clean setup.

Rating
9.6
Connectivity
Speaker Size and Placement
Subwoofer

Most important from
1835 reviews

Connectivity
Connectivity options are plentiful, including Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, and optical connections.
Speaker Size and Placement
Detachable wireless surround speakers offer flexibility and a clean setup.
Subwoofer
The bass is amazing, literally shaking things in the house, while mids and highs are also strong.
#3
9.5 score

Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

The Bose TV Speaker is a compact and straightforward soundbar designed to enhance your TV audio experience. It features two angled full-range drivers to deliver a wide and natural sound, focusing on clarity and dialogue enhancement. This makes it particularly useful for those who struggle with hearing TV dialogue clearly. The soundbar is quite small at just over 2 inches tall, making it easy to place in front of your TV or mount on a wall (mounting brackets are sold separately).

Rating
9.5
Speaker Size and Placement

Most important from
12888 reviews

Speaker Size and Placement
Despite its compact size, the bass is well-timed and subtle, enhancing the overall audio experience without overpowering.

Top 10 Best Surround Sound Systems 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8  score

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus with subwoofer and surround sound speakers (newest model), 5.1 channel, Dolby Atmos, clear dialogue

Channels: 5.1
Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Connectivity: HDMI, Optical, AC, USB-A, Bluetooth
Speaker Size and Placement: Soundbar: 37” x 5.2” x 2.5”
Subwoofer: Included

Chosen by 1430 this week

JBL Bar 9.1 - Channel Soundbar System with Surround Speakers and Dolby Atmos, Black

Channels: 9.1
Power Output: 820 Watts
Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos, DTS:X
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HDMI, Optical
Speaker Size and Placement: 10 Inches, wireless surround speakers
Subwoofer: 10 Inches, Wireless

Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2, HDMI ARC, Optical in
Speaker Size and Placement: 3.5mm, 4.02"D x 23.38"W x 2.21"H
Subwoofer: Compatible with Bose Bass Module 500/700

Sonos Arc Ultra Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Voice Control - 9.1.4 Surround Sound for TV and Music - Black

Channels: 9.1.4
Audio Formats: Dolby Atmos
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, AirPlay 2, Spotify
Speaker Size and Placement: 46.18 Inches, Tabletop Mount
Subwoofer: Wired

YAMAHA RX-V385 5.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with Bluetooth

Channels: 5.1
Power Output: 100W per channel at 1kHz
Audio Formats: Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD Master Audio
Connectivity: Bluetooth, 4 HDMI inputs
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Buying Guide for the Best Surround Sound Systems

Choosing a surround sound system can greatly enhance your movie nights, gaming sessions, or music listening experience by providing immersive, multi-directional audio. Picking the right system involves understanding your room, your personal needs, and the system’s features. Before shopping, consider the size of your room and how much space you’re willing to dedicate to speakers and equipment. Also, think about what you will mostly use your system for, such as watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, since different setups can perform better for different tasks. Understanding the key specifications can help you find a system that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Number of ChannelsThis refers to how many separate audio outputs the system has for surrounding you with sound. Common setups include 5.1 (five speakers and one subwoofer), 7.1, and even higher channel counts. More channels create more precise and enveloping sound but also require more physical space and setup. For a small to medium room and general use, 5.1 is often sufficient, offering a solid surround experience. If you have a larger space or want the most immersive experience for movies and games, you might want 7.1 or more. Think about the physical size of your room, where you can place speakers, and how 'cinematic' you want the experience to feel when selecting the channel count.
Speaker Type and SizeSurround systems come with different sizes and styles of speakers, such as bookshelf, floor-standing, satellite, or in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. Larger speakers generally deliver louder and deeper sound, while smaller ones are more discreet and easier to place. If space and aesthetics are important, compact satellite speakers or in-wall speakers are a good choice, but for more powerful sound, especially in larger rooms or for music listening, bigger floor-standing or bookshelf speakers can be better. Consider how much space you have, whether you prefer your speakers to be visible or hidden, and what fits in with your room décor.
Wireless vs WiredSome systems connect all speakers with physical wires, while others use wireless links for some or all speakers. Wired systems can offer more reliability and consistent audio quality, but setting them up can be more complex, and you’ll have cables running across your room. Wireless systems make setup simpler and look tidier, especially in rooms where running wires is difficult, but they might occasionally have signal dropouts. Think about your willingness to run wires, the layout of your room, and your need for flexibility or ease of setup when choosing between wired and wireless.
Supported Audio FormatsSurround sound systems decode audio formats like Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X. Standard formats (like Dolby Digital and DTS) are widespread and provide solid surround sound. Newer formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X add ‘height channels’ for 3D sound effects, making audio even more immersive. To decide which formats you need, consider what kind of movies, games, or streaming services you’ll use most; if you want the latest, most immersive sound and your content supports it, look for systems with Atmos or DTS:X support. Otherwise, standard surround decoding is enough for most users.
Amplifier Power and Receiver FeaturesThe amplifier, usually inside an AV receiver, supplies power to your speakers and interprets audio signals. Power is measured in watts per channel and affects how loud and clear your sound can get, especially at higher volumes. For smaller rooms or casual use, moderate power is plenty, while large rooms or high-volume listening will need more. Also, check the receiver's features, like HDMI inputs, Bluetooth, streaming support, and calibration tools, to make sure it’s compatible with your other devices and fits your usage style. Prioritize features that match how you plan to connect your TV, gaming console, or music devices.

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