Best 5.1 Surround Sound System Reviews

The simplest home theater with minimal speakers set (I mean a set of 5 sound sources) can provide surround sound at home, whether you spend an evening with your family, invite guests, or appreciate quality and want to enjoy all the delights of modern technology alone. You can create your system in different ways, buying a receiver and speaker system separately, using a soundbar, or buying a ready-made home theater in a box system.

I’ve prepared a list of the best 5-channel home theater systems in various configurations in this review. Some of them are quite simple, and others are more complicated, but all of them will help you improve your movie/video content viewing experience by providing surround sound. And first, let’s understand what a home theater system is and what configurations it can have. Then we’ll talk about a 5-channel system.

What is a home theater system?

A classic home theater system consists of several basic components:

1. TV/projector + screen.
2. Video source (cable/satellite TV, Blu-ray player).
3. A set of speakers of different configurations (5.1, 7.1, etc.).
4. AV receiver for amplification and control of all devices.

Surround sound enhances the feeling of immersion into the film while watching because the picture you see on the screen is not all you need. The 5.1 surround sound system is a set of 5 speakers: a central speaker, two side speakers, and two additional side speakers installed behind, i.e., rear speakers. We will consider it the simplest and the most affordable one because 5.1 can be created in different ways, for example, by adding two speakers to a 3.1 soundbar. Let’s start with what 5.1-channel system configurations are available. And at the end of the review, I will answer some popular questions.

Types of home theater systems

So, there are several options for home theater systems. Let’s see what they are.

Home theater in-a-box

The easiest and most inexpensive option for creating an effortless home theater is the home theater in-a-box, consisting of a set of speakers and a receiver. Everything is already done for you. Connect the system to your TV or projector, and enjoy the delights of surround sound. You’ll find everything you need in the package: the right cables and a detailed manual. Unfortunately, you often have to sacrifice sound quality in this case, but in my selection, there are two great kits.

Home theater systems with soundbars

Technically, it is not a home theater system, but people often use it to replace a “traditional” one. Such a set consists of a soundbar, where the side speakers (left and right) and the center speakers are already built. It remains to add a subwoofer and two rear speakers, which can often come in a set. It also happens that the speaker for low frequencies (subwoofer) is also built into the soundbar. While these systems often lose out in sound to more respectable systems, this review presents a couple of great options.

Home theater systems composed of separate parts

It is probably the most complicated but interesting way to create a home theater because you have to pick up a system consisting of a receiver/amplifier and a set of speakers. But you can be sure of the sound quality. This review presents two excellent quality 5.1 home theater speaker systems at a reasonable price that will make your choice easier.

Best 5.1 home theater system reviews

Home theaters in-a-box

Yamaha RX-V385 with Klipsch Reference R-610F – best home theater in-a-box

First, I want to draw your attention to an affordable in-a-box home theater system from a couple of leading manufacturers in the sound world. I’m sure the Yamaha/Klipsch package will be the best 5.1 home theater system for many of you. The combination of affordable prices along with quality brands offers simplicity and optimum functionality, enough to create a home theater system.

The Yamaha RX-V385, as the system’s backbone, can offer you 70 watts (8 ohms, 2 ch). Dolby Atmos support is out of the question, but the 5.1 system is not supposed to use it. From the connectivity options, we have Composite Video Input and Output for connecting older equipment, Optical Digital Audio Input, Coaxial Digital Audio Input, 4 Analog Audio Input (including one front), USB, and four HDMI inputs (4K Ultra HD Pass-through and upscaling (4K / 60p, 4:4:4) and 3D pass-through) and one HDMI output (eARC). So with the RX-V385, video formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, and DTS-HD; and audio Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, and DTS-HD Master Audio are available. There is no phono player input or Wi-Fi on this unit, but there is Bluetooth for wireless use of streaming services.

The speakers from Klipsch in this system are from the Klipsch Reference Series CLEARANCE. They include a two-way R-52C veneered center speaker (18.8″ x 7.3″ x 7.6″), two R-41M side/rear speakers which are shelf-mounted (11.3″ x 5.8″ x 7.9″), two R-610F front floorstanders (37″ x 9.4″ x 15.1″) in textured vinyl and an R-12SW subwoofer (16″ x 14″ x 18.5″) with 200 watts (up to 400 watts at peak). Their features include a 1″ aluminum LTS tweeter, 90×90 Square Tractrix horn, and single 6.5″ IMG spun-copper woofers.

As for the sound, the system, after some tuning, proved to be quite good, although it is not top-notch. I tested it by watching Ghost, and I was quite satisfied because the dialogue sounded high-quality and detailed, and the music poured smoothly and without delays. The subway scene gave a full sense of volume and realism to the passing train.

Yamaha YHT-4950U

Another surround sound system with a receiver on my list, but this time in a complete set from Yamaha.

In this set, the receiver is no different than the one presented in the previous version, neither in appearance nor in connectivity or power. All the same, connectors lead to the same options: view the video in HDR10, DTS-HD and Dolby Vision (maximum 4K/60Hz, 4:4:4:4), and Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD Master Audio. You will also only be able to connect a turntable if you have one with its own built-in preamp or if you have an external one. You can only use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly.

The speakers are very compact. They are four identical 4.4″ x 6.9″ x 4.6″ (side and rear), a 10.9″ x 4.4″ x 4.6″ center speaker, and an 11.5″ x 11.5″ x 13.4″ subwoofer, providing up to 400 watts total output, and 50 watts RMS on the subwoofer.

Home theater speaker kits

Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System – best 5.1 speaker set

The 5.1 speaker set connects seamlessly to your receiver because it has a wide range of compatibility, forming a quality surround sound home system. The Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System includes a center speaker, a subwoofer, two floor-standing front speakers, and two rear speakers for surround sound. Quite a standard set, but it still offers you the quality that will keep you happy for years.

So you get five speakers and 15 dynamics in total. The rear speakers (shelf-mounted) each have a 5.25-inch speaker and a 0.75-inch tweeter, the center speaker has two 5.25-inch speakers and a 1-inch tweeter, and the floorstanding tower speakers have two 6.5-inch bass drivers and a 1-inch tweeter. The subwoofer has a 10-inch diameter driver and features POLK DYNAMIC BALANCE TECHNOLOGY. The system is heavy and delivers up to 100 watts of power.

Fluance SX51WR

The Fluance SX51WR is also a 5.1 home theater speaker system with superior performance, but at a slightly higher price than the previous set. Unlike the black Polk Audio 5.1, this set will appeal to fans of classic design because it’s finished in grained wood.

Otherwise, it’s similar to its predecessor, having the same package with three-way tower floorstanders and a 10-inch subwoofer. In terms of power, they’re also similar (range from 30 to 100W), so the choice depends on your sound preferences and budget since Fluance positions its system as an Elite.

I had a lot of fun watching Passengers while testing it. The speakers handled the dynamism of the soundstage brilliantly, showing deep bass that made my chair shake and clean tops at high power (I have a good receiver, in which I was confident).

Home theater systems with soundbars

Vizio M51ax-J6 – best home theater system with a soundbar

We have gotten to systems that use a soundbar instead of front and center speakers. This configuration saves a lot of space in your home if you don’t like bulky systems. The soundbar also provides an opportunity to connect other devices.

In the case of Vizio M51ax-J6, you get a super-compact system consisting of a soundbar (36.00″ x 2.24″ x 3.50″) weighing 5.53lbs, a subwoofer with 5″ speaker (8.30″ x 9.90″ x 8.30″) weighing 7.60lbs, and two Satellite (5.70″ x 2.24″ x 3.54″) weighing only 1.00lbs. It’s also a budget-friendly set so that anyone can afford it.

The soundbar has HDMI Input and HDMI Output (eARC), Optical Input, USB for WAV Audio Playback, Voice Assistant Input, Analog 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, and Bluetooth. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS Virtual:X formats.

Before buying a system with a soundbar, you should always be prepared for your theater sound being weaker than with standard speakers. Knowing this, I didn’t crank the volume up to full power when testing. And at medium power, I found The Equalizer a fascinating journey, thanks to the surround sound.

Samsung HW-Q60T

And another 5.1 surround sound system on my list is the most compact (although slightly more expensive than the previous Vizio M51ax-J6) because it consists of only two elements. It is a soundbar with Acoustic Beam and a subwoofer but provides sound from 9 speakers. Incredible, isn’t it? The quality of Samsung equipment does not make you doubt yourself, and HW-Q60T is proof of that.

Samsung Acoustic Beam technology creates a full impression of surround sound and the feeling of full interaction with what you see on the screen. However, the source is only one – the soundbar (38.6″ x 2.3″ x 4.1″). Total system power is 360 watts, and the wireless subwoofer (8.1″ x 13.9″ x 11.9″) with a 6.5″ speaker is rated at 160 watts. Connectivity options (HDMI, USB, Bluetooth) allow the system to handle Dolby 5.1 and DTS and has audio expansion features for surround sound, Game Pro, Standard, Adaptive, and DTS Virtual:X. It also supports 4K/60Hz Video Pass, HDR, and HDR 10+.

With the Samsung HW-Q60T, I watched The Great Gatsby. The sound is amazingly clear and powerful! It felt like I was at a party, watching fireworks in the sky like splashes coming out of the pool, and I wanted to dance.

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