Best Products > Audio 163 163 people found this article helpful The Best Home Audio Systems of 2024 Find the best sound system for large rooms, small rooms and more By Alex Williams Alex Williams Writer Diablo Valley College Alex Williams is an experienced tech writer with an interest in wearable technologies. He focuses on everything from gaming headsets to headphones. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 13, 2023 Fact checked by Rich Scherr Fact checked by Rich Scherr University of Maryland Baltimore County Rich Scherr is a seasoned technology and financial journalist who spent nearly two decades as the editor of Potomac and Bay Area Tech Wire. lifewire's fact checking process We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Audio Headphones Earbuds Speakers Home Theater Instruments Accessories The best home audio sound system can transform watching movies, TV, and sports at home into a powerful, immersive experience. They range from single soundbars to tiny stereo systems and complete surround speaker setups. Factors like room size play a huge role in deciding the necessary power and wattage for your speaker arrangement, and other details should help you pick your perfect device. in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For in a Home Audio System FAQ Best Overall Acoustic Audio AA5170 Home Theater 5.1 Bluetooth System Courtesy of Amazon.com View On Amazon $115 View On Walmart $115 Pros Inexpensive 5.1 sound Tons of connectivity options Cons Lesser known brands Sound quality suffers at high volumes The Acoustic Audio AA5170 Home Theater 5.1 Bluetooth Speaker System 700W with Powered Sub represents a sweet middle ground of booming power and affordable price. The system has six speakers, providing excellent coverage of any room you put it in. At an excellent price, the system includes an amplified subwoofer; five discrete independent channel input/output speakers suited for surround sound; Bluetooth connectivity for mobile streaming, an SD card input, a flash drive MP3 player for assorted music playlists, an FM tuner to play your favorite radio stations, and 3.5 aux to RCA wires so you can start listening immediately. The Acoustic AA5170 Home Theater uses only 700 Watts with a power frequency of 20Hz to 20KHz, packing a compact yet powerful speaker package suitable for any home theater system (although static can occur if played too high). The AA5170 works fluidly with your computer or laptop, gaming system, digital media player, or any other audio/video device equipped with Bluetooth, RCA, or 3.5mm auxiliary interfaces. Channels: 5.1 | Wireless: Bluetooth | Inputs: 3.5mm, RCA | Digital Assistant: None | Number of Speakers: 5 The Best Budget Home Theater Starter Kits in 2024 Best Budget Rockville HTS56 Home Theater System Amazon View On Amazon $165 View On Rockvilleaudio.com Pros Built in receiver Independent volume control Plug and play Cons No HDMI input Reports of failing speakers Reports of audio/video syncing issues When you need an incredible surround sound system on a small budget, the Rockville HTS56 is the one for you. This home audio system comes with five speakers and an eight-inch subwoofer. The subwoofer features a built-in AV receiver and an FM radio antenna, so you won't have to spend extra cash on a separate unit. Each speaker and subwoofer has an independent volume control for superior sound customization, no matter how big your media room is. This system utilizes Bluetooth, USB, and RCA connections to hook up your TV, DVD or Blu-Ray player, and game consoles without frustration. The Rockville HTS56 home audio system has four LED lighting modes with seven colors to help customize your media or game room's look. Lifewire / Bill Loguidice What to Look For in a Home Audio System Sound Quality Sound quality can be a personal feature—some people enjoy deeper bass, while others prefer a more balanced sound. Different speaker systems have different audio profiles (which can also be tweaked slightly by repositioning speakers in your room). Most home audio systems will have primary or center channel speakers, left and right channel speakers, and a subwoofer. This combination represents a good starting point for most home theaters, but a soundbar and subwoofer combo can also cut it for apartment dwellers. Room Size Power isn’t everything, and wattage is often overrated. If your speakers are intended for a smaller space, you likely don’t need a full 7.1 channel setup; a soundbar or single speaker might do the trick. To fill a larger room with sound spring for something more powerful. Look at our overview of 2.0, 2.1, 5.1, 6.1, and 7.1 channel systems to get a good idea of your options. Wired vs. Wireless As with headphones, wired systems often deliver better sound, but their setup tends to be more complicated. A wireless system is a good bet if you’re willing to trade some sound quality in favor of convenience. Standard wireless connectivity is offered over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Some sound systems also come with NFC for pairing. Most separate subwoofers are also wireless, meaning they pair automatically with the rest of your sound system when you plug it in. FAQ What do you need to build a complete home audio system? The core prerequisites for a home audio system are simple: you need a receiver, a set of speakers, and some device to output sound (generally speaking, a cable box, streaming device, or computer). Additional gear, like extra speakers or a subwoofer, is the next step toward perfecting your home theater audio. Is a home theater audio set up good for music? The home audio systems we recommend are universally great for listening to music, watching films, or playing games. The best choices for music will include at least 5.1 surround sound and, in some cases, may also feature a soundbar. How much wattage do my speakers need? Wattage output is generally only an issue in sizeable spaces, and for most people, 50W should be sufficient to drive the volume they desire for their home theater system. As a rule of thumb, the more sensitive your speakers (how well they convert amplifier power into acoustics, measured in decibels per watt/distance), the fewer watts you'll need to drive them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit