When looking for the best home theatre speakers, there are many factors to consider. It is not just a matter of purchasing within your budget, but getting everything right. What do you consider as a quality sound system?
You may have a large TV with an impressive resolution, however, if the sound quality is wanting, your TV watching experience will not be as great as you desire. Some TVs have built-in speakers that pack a decent punch, but if you want some serious entertainment, then you will need the best home theatre speakers.
1. Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V Wired Home Theater Speaker System
This wired speaker system delivers a deep, resonant bass for the excellent stereo staging of the small cube speaker. It works in concert providing a fuller range of theatre sound and high-quality sound. It features a slimmer profile for flush wall mounting. It comes with clearly marked cables and connectors for easy installation. It offers wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay in addition to the wired connections. The 5.1 channel 4K Ultra HD network AV receiver completes the package.
2. Enclave Audio CineHome HD 5.1 Wireless Audio Home Theater System
Once you unpack this speaker, simply place it in the appropriate location, plug in the AC power, and it is ready to fill your room with high-quality music. The Enclave audio system will wirelessly deliver uncompressed audio without the need for configuration. It features 3 HDMI inputs to connect all your devices.
Each rear surround speaker contains two full-range drivers on opposite sides for a widespread and enveloping surround audio experience. You can now stream music using the Enclave Audio app from you’re your Android or iOS device.
3. Onkyo SKS-HT540 7.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System
Once you get this 7.1 channel speaker package, you will not listen to anything else. It features a two-way bass reflex front, center, and surround speakers for an excellent soundstage. Each speaker has a 130-watt output in addition to the earthshaking 230-watt subwoofer. They use a pure cotton cone for an extremely fast and accurate response. Its subwoofer has a 10-inch cone for the powerful sound delivery. The wired speaker system is easy to set up and start enjoying quality audio at home.
4. Energy 5.1 Take Classic Home Theater System
Transform your home entertainment with the Energy 5.1 home theatre system. Its superior MDF cabinets finished in high-gloss black gives it both strength and beauty. The powerful 200-watt subwoofer with a front-firing port of 8 inches delivers excellent bass. It features a proprietary convergent source module technology that provides a dynamic frequency range coupled with an expansive soundstage for a smooth, realistic sound. The central speaker and each satellite speaker reproduces high-quality audio for music and movie lovers.
5. Klipsch Quintet 5.0 Home Theater Speaker System
For Klipsch, performance means everything. This surround sound system does not disappoint even the least. It features a technologically advanced design that will guarantee to raise the bar in the home theatre performance.
The speakers are built with quality in mind and mix the frequencies perfectly for a smooth, yet powerful audio. Its linear travel suspension reduces distortion and enhances the dynamics. The AcoustaComp® cabinets ensure a solid foundation to channel flawless sound. The acoustic material is solid and durable that cabinet resonance is no longer an issue.
6. Harman Kardon HKTS 30BQ 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System
This elegant, sleek and powerful home theatre system will stun you when you turn it on. It is the ultimate expression of design and audio performance. It makes an excellent centerpiece for any high-performance home theatre based just on looks alone. Its sound is even better than the looks. The advanced engineering makes it perform better than its size. Its beautiful high-end design allows it to fit into any décor. It comes with wall brackets to hang the satellite speakers to fit with your interior design perfectly.
7. Polk Audio RM705 5.1 Home Theater System
Get a perfectly matched professional quality and compact design in this speaker system. It features one powerful 50-watt subwoofer, one center channel, and four high-performance satellite speakers for a perfect mix of frequencies. It is easy to set up and start the enjoyment at home. It is made of non-resonant enclosures that create the ideal décor and reproduce excellent sound. Its built-in power amp offers the needed control for a real home theatre experience.
8. Yamaha NS-P40BL 5.1 Speaker Package
With this 5.1 channel home theatre system, you will enjoy the full surround sound while watching movies or listening to music. Its advanced subwoofer delivers strong and clear bass for a real home theatre audio experience. The speakers are tuned for a clear and soft sound that you can pleasantly listen to for long periods. Both the speakers and subwoofers are perfectly matched for a smooth audio crossover. They deliver full-bodied and well-balanced sound. All this quality at a very affordable price makes it excellent for setting up a home theatre.
9. Monoprice 10565 Premium 5.1 Channel Home Theater System
Every home aims for superb sound quality, but budget constraints keep many from achieving this. You do not need to compromise anymore; you can have the high-quality, small size, great looks, and excellent sound at an affordable price. The Monoprice delivers great sound quality in a small package. It features four satellite and one center speaker each using a mid-range driver and a ¾ aluminum dome tweeter. They have an impedance of 8 ohms and can handle power of up to 100 watts. The subwoofer features a 200-watt amplifier and can handle frequencies of 30-150Hz at a -10dB.
10. Yamaha NS-SP1800BL 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System
Experience authentic audio from the Yamaha NS-SP1800 5.1-channel speaker package. It includes a powerful 100-watt subwoofer for the full surround home theatre enjoyment. It also features the advanced Yamaha Active Servo Technology in which the speaker and amplifier work together to cancel out the impedance, therefore, giving out the highest levels of sound pressure and excellent performance. It features a wide range frequency response and magnetic shielding on both the front and center speakers. Experience a rich, full, lifelike sound quality with restored harmonics, crisp highs, and accurate bass.
Home Theater Speaker Designs
Home theatre speakers come in various designs categorized by their size and mounting. When talking about speakers, a feature to note is the driver, a dome-shaped piece that moves air back and forth producing sound. Each speaker design offers advantages and disadvantages, so it is crucial that you weigh the benefits of each type when shopping.
In-wall and on-wall speakers
These two types are excellent space-saving options. They attach directly to the wall or sit inside something for a slimmer profile. They are small and unobtrusive and have varying sizes of drivers. Its compact design makes it ideal for small rooms. They, however, require involving installation.
Satellite Speakers
These are among the smallest speakers on the market. Their drivers are typically less than 4 inches. They are so small that they are incapable of producing any base, therefore are used together with a subwoofer, so they offer surround sound setups. Some can produce bass and be used in a surround sound system. They can be wall mounted or set on a stand.
Bookshelf Speakers
Just as the name implies, they are designed to sit on a shelf or stand. These types are large and have drivers measuring between 5.25 and 6.5 inches. Some models can produce bass, hence their use in stereo systems. They can be mixed with floor standing speakers without hurting the audio performance.
Floorstanding Speakers
These speakers are designed to rest on the floor and can function as front or rear speakers. They have a tall, narrow design ranging in height from 3 to 5 feet. Their drivers range in size from 3.5 to 12 inches and include at least two drivers.
Speaker Bars
Also called sound bars, these speakers are an alternative to standard sound setups and are not found in surround sound systems. They replace a whole system with a single sleek device. They can replace the front and center-channel speakers in a sound system, or the front speakers in a subwoofer. Their small size makes them convenient and can complement a home HDTV system.
Center-channel speakers
It is recommended that you start with a high-quality center-channel speaker when building a home theatre system. It is placed in a central spot below the TV to give you excellent dialogue over the sound effects
Surround speakers
For a better ambient sound, surround speakers are the right speakers. Place them behind your listening space and at the sides to create an immersive experience. Bookshelf speakers are a great option for this rear surround sound.
Home Theater Speaker Buying Guide
Here are some of the important factors to consider when buying a home theatre speaker.
Sensitivity
Every speaker has a sensitivity rating referred to as efficiency. It is among the most important speaker specifications to look out for. This tells how efficient the speaker is at converting the power received into sound. Inefficient speakers will turn more of the power it receives into heat rather than sound. This kind of speaker will require more power to produce the required volume. This ranges from 80 to 100 decibels. Anything below 80dB is poor, and any sensitivity above 90dB is very good.
Power handling
Each speaker can handle a specific power level from the AV receiver or amplifier. It is important to check the power rating, which is often listed using average/RMS values and peak values. There may also be suggested power ranges.
Impedance
The speaker’s impedance value is measured in ohms and ranges from four to eight. This is its resistance to sending an electric signal through. The listed value is the nominal or average, whereas the actual impedance value will vary with the audio signal frequency. The amplifier is designed to work with a certain level of impedance hence the importance of checking if the amplifier specs support your speaker’s impedance.
Frequency response
Humans can hear between the frequencies 20Hz and 20 kHz though the higher end hearing reduces with age. The bottom end is more felt than heard. Speakers are designed to reproduce certain frequencies as indicated by the frequency response range. The quality of the speaker is determined by how well it reproduces all the audible frequencies.
Speaker size and type
The size and type of the driver/ cone as listed will guide you. The small speaker that can reproduce high frequencies is called a tweeter. Bigger cones reproduce lower frequencies and are common in subwoofers. Other factors like design and tone play a significant role in the frequency reproduced and sound quality.
Sound quality
When it comes to the sound quality, each person has a preference due to the differences in hearing and personality. What sounds great to one person may not be acceptable to another. You may use all the features above to find the right sound quality, but the best way is to listen to the speaker. The sound will also depend on the amplifier used, brand quality and the room they are in.
Price
Even though some brands are overpriced, you do get what you pay for in speakers. The more expensive ones usually are of good sound quality. You should, however, follow your budget most of the time and get the best speaker that will serve you for years to come.
Conclusion
Finding the best home theatre speakers may not be as easy as you thought. There are so many factors to consider before getting it right. Once you have decided on the type of speaker you need for your room, check the available speaker types. From the speakers within your budget, consider the features like size, frequency rate, power, impedance, and sound quality among others. You may even read customer reviews to get the best speakers from real users’ feedback.