Asides your budget which is equally as important, there are a number of other factors to consider when purchasing home theater speakers.
These speakers come in their unique layouts, specifications as well as brand names which is also an essential consideration.
1. Pyle Home PIC8E 300 Watt High-End 8-Inch Two-Way In-Ceiling Speaker
This is an 8″ PIC8E In-Ceiling speaker consisting of high-quality 2-way stereo speakers and 300-watts power output.
Pyle Audio developed this cone woofer using UFLC (Urethane Film Laminated Cloth) and accessible by an outstanding driver.
The directional pivots allow for an adjustable silk dome 1″ tweeters to send high-performance sounds where needed.
For an easier installation, there is built-in mounting hardware and users get a template and instructions on how to perfectly mount this speaker.
Asides the cost-effective price of this sound system, there are also adjustable treble controls on each speaker for an even tone.
This speaker falls into the lightweight category, coming in at 3lbs a piece which makes this an ideal choice as you require a space-saving in-ceiling design that can fit into any room.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Space-saving in-ceiling design
- Integrated mounting hardware
- Stain-resistant whiter covers give it a high-quality build
2. Acoustic Audio AA5170
Acoustic Audio AA5170 is manufactured by Goldwood, a popular brand with stereo and sound system manufacture known to deliver amazing high-quality products at a great bargain.
The Acoustic Audio AA5170 comes with a power rating of about 700 Watts which is quite impressive and it delivers a great frequency response at about 20Hz to 20 kHz.
Due to the Bluetooth powered design, connecting with other devices at such a response rate is crucial.
Another aspect worthy of mention asides connecting to the 5.1 Bluetooth speaker is the audio connection as this integrated audio amplifier delivers inputs for devices as well as auxiliary sources.
To enjoy a balance in audio output, there is an additional enhanced bass boost on this speaker.
This speaker features an excellent display but the exterior build could be better. Users enjoy intuitive controls and there are additional inputs to help connect with peripherals for an amazing audio delivery.
Pros
- Amazing audio quality
- Installation is easy
- Enhanced bass system
- Multiple inputs for connection
Cons
- Doesn’t sport an aesthetic look.
3. NAKAMICHI SHOCKWAVE ULTRA 9.2.4 DTS:X/ATMOS SOUNDBAR
This 10″ wireless woofer comes with four rear speakers for those extra sound effects as well as a front soundbar to deliver a cinematic living room experience like no other.
You get ground-shaking lows from the bass via the subwoofers, delivering a top-notch movie experience.
Sound is evenly distributed across the room and with zero distortion and localization. RCA wires enable a connection between the four rear speakers and the subwoofers, ensuring an amazing surround experience.
There is a powerful tweeter present in each speaker to deliver clear high frequencies, you also get a full-range driver for providing the ideal surround effect.
These modular speakers can be used as 4 individual speakers or dipoles and the soundbar features up to three advanced audio processing engines as well as SSE Technology that provides extra details and spacious sounds.
There are dual center channels on the soundbar to deliver extraordinary clarity in music lyrics and movie dialogs.
A pairing of the soundbar, subwoofers, and rear speakers can deliver up to 9.2.4 channels of Dolby Atmos or DTS:X object-centered multi-dimensional audio (about 110dB of high-quality sound).
Pros
- Rich and clear sounds
- The soundbar is equipped with ARC HDMI port
- You get that premium feel with the speakers, subs, and soundbar design
- A powerful and thumping bass
Cons
- Requires a specific kind of environment to deliver a desired optimal sound experience
- Short-range remote receiver
4. Monoprice 5.1
For anyone interested in a budget-friendly home theater speaker with an amazing audio experience, then look no further.
This unit is equipped with four satellite speakers that ensure mid/high range audio signals for the best clarity.
Low frequencies and high precision without any form of distortion are vital when seeing movies in your bedroom or living room and this is delivered by the subwoofer on this unit.
Installation is easy as this unit’s speakers are equipped with spring-loaded connectors that ensure the system remains wherever you position it.
The audio and sound quality on the Monoprice 5.1 is quite impressive should you choose to play music exclusively on this amazing home theater.
Although the 8-ohm may seem underpowered on paper, you may be in for a surprise when this speaker is connected to a smartphone, PC, or television.
This unit handles multiple frequencies effortlessly, the subwoofer is equipped with a downward-facing cone capable of handling low frequencies to deliver an amazing sound experience.
This compact yet powerful unit is also capable of handling frequencies between 50 to 250 Hz across different genres, this means the Monoprice 5.1 can handle both crossover frequency and volume balance control with ease.
Pros
- Great for small apartments and houses
- Can become extremely loud without any form of distortion
- Amazing sound quality
Cons
- Limited connectivity options
5. BOSE ACOUSTIMASS 10 SERIES V
This sleek and compact 5.1 surround system was designed to cater to regular entertainment needs such as games, movies, and music.
Capable of blending into any interior design, these compact speakers are also easy to mount on the wall.
You get a spacious sound experience ideal for larger rooms with bass so powerful due to built-in high-performance drivers.
Pros
- Zero distortion at loud volumes
- All the speakers are connected to the subwoofer
- Equipped with necessary mounting gear
- The wires on this unit are thicker than regular ones
- Great sound experience
Cons
- No receiver
- Large sub
- Comes equipped with the Bose proprietary wiring system
6. Logitech Z506 Surround Sound
This small but powerful sound system is capable of delivering high-quality audio performance on a budget and is equipped with powerful surround sound due to the 5.1 speaker system.
This unit gives you left, right, and center channel, there is also a subwoofer as well as two rear satellite speakers.
Users can enjoy an amazing power delivery on this speaker via the 150 Watts room-filling capacity of the Logitech Z506.
This unit is also easy to set up and has different connectivity options that save you extra cash, there are six-channel direct inputs as well as a 3.5mm, and an RCA input that works seamlessly with your TV set and other devices.
Users can simultaneously connect up to two devices and this could come in handy when instantly switching between your television and mobile phone.
For anyone in search of home theater speakers with simple controls, this is a great choice. You get power, a headphone jack, and volume on the front deck of the satellite speaker and can customize the bass using the dedicated control knob on the subwoofer.
Pros
- Great build
- Rich room-filling sound experience
- High-quality sound
Cons
- Cables are thick and cannot be extended or replaced.
7. FLUANCE SX-HTB
This unit compromises five speakers that surround your living room with radiant tunes and matching speakers deliver a harmonious performance like no other.
There is a premium 1″ neodymium balanced silk dome tweeter, ferrofluid-cooled to deliver a vibrant high-frequency response.
This unit is also equipped with 4″ poly-coated midrange drivers as well as butyl rubber surround that delivers clear sounds.
You get an outstanding floor-standing dual 6.5″ woofers that guarantee an optimal low-frequency response as well as high-definition sound.
You won’t miss a note on this unit due to the smooth acoustic imaginary, the speakers have been equipped with audio-grade MDF wood construction to deliver a durable design for producing natural sounds and minimized cabinet resonance.
This unit comes with a warranty and lifetime customer support and this 5.0 channel speaker system is ideal for all living rooms.
This unit would set you back at least $400 which is on the high side, those looking to get a budget-friendly home theater may need to consider other options.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Powerful woofers
- The wood construction on this unit is durable
- Silk dome tweeters
- Smooth acoustic imaginary
Cons
- Expensive
- Absence of subwoofers
- Not an ideal size for a home theater as it takes up too much space.
8. SAMSUNG SWA-8500S
This unit was developed as an enhancement for the Sound+ soundbars by Samsung. You get wall-mountable two speakers as well as the main unit in the kit that are quite easy to set up (plug and play).
Though the speakers are wireless, the main unit requires some wire connectivity to get it started.
Generally, the speakers are small but have a solid build coupled with a metallic grid that makes them ideal for small and medium entertainment rooms.
You also enjoy true surround sound capabilities and depending on the kind of content being played, you get immersive and modulate sound on this home theater speaker.
This unit supports a frequency range of 20Hz~20KHz that delivers a rich sound.
Pros
- Great surround sound
- Wireless connectivity
- Small but tough design
- Ideal for enhancing Samsung soundbar
Cons
- The speakers can only be paired with the main unit
Choosing the best home theater speakers
There are certain criteria to consider when purchasing a home theater speaker and some of the technical factors include;
Subwoofer:
Such speakers are aimed at delivering low-frequency sounds and are often placed on the floor or the lowest level to uncover its best bass frequency performance.
Bluetooth Connectivity:
Users can play media files via mobile devices without a wireless connection.
Tweeter:
These kinds of speakers deliver high-frequency sounds and are also known as treble speakers.
Satellite Speakers:
These speakers are smaller in size and often used as a component of 2.1 satellite/subwoofer speaker systems since they are used to deliver low bass to a larger subwoofer.
Input Interface:
Innovation has seen speakers come equipped with multiple audio input interfaces for seamless compatibility with several devices.
3D Compatibility:
This implies that your speaker comes with HDMI 2.0 or newer connectivity options that support 3D format, some Blu Ray discs and players support 3D that can only be streamed via A/V receiver.
4K Capability:
This implies that your speaker works seamlessly with 4K television sets and just like the 3D compatibility feature, this option also requires HDMI 2.0 or newer connectivity variants.
The non-technical factors include;
Price:
High-end speakers doesn’t necessarily mean expensive, at least not always. There are cheaper models of home theaters out there that deliver premium quality sound experience.
This list compromises both the budget-friendly unit and expensive ones to cater to all customers looking to get the best home theaters for their homes.
You should also understand that the higher the number of channels on a speaker, the more expensive it tends to be and speakers for movies come with more channels for that surround sound system.
Design:
Some may feel this is less important, is it really though? You should consider getting home theater speakers that blend well with your interior design.
Useful Tips
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Support?
Ensure to get speakers that support both as there are countless models out there with such capability so carry out necessary findings before making that purchase.
Can one get good speakers with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant support?
There are smart speakers that offer such support, the only speaker currently in support of Siri is the Apple Homepod.
Does one require a subwoofer with the speaker setup or generally comes with one?
This is dependent on some factors, for anyone in a small space, it’s not an ideal choice.
Those in search of a making small pair of speakers capable of delivering cinematic, hip hop and music sound experience, consider getting a good subwoofer to reach the lowest end of the frequency spectrum.
A large number of paired speakers don’t come with subwoofers unless stated while most soundbars do come with them.
Are amps necessary with my speakers?
Except in cases where the speakers are powered, some form of amplifiers may be required to power the unit.
Do speakers support USB input?
Ensure to check the specifications as some powered speakers have USB inputs.
Do speakers support 3.5mm input?
Most do, a large number of amplifiers and receivers support RCA input but adapters can be used to connect to a 3.5mm source for that extra connectivity.
Do speakers work with all receivers?
Ensure the impedance match, also consider a powerful and larger amplifier for large speakers, but technically all speakers work with receivers.
Conclusion
Purchasing the best home theater speaker in 2020 is no small task, ensure to go through this list to make the best choice based on your preferred specifications and budget.
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