Choosing the ideal home theater system for your entertainment needs can be an ordeal. There’s so many to choose from, and it can be pricey to buy and install a system that you’re unfamiliar with. You want to make sure that what you’re getting is right for your needs. It’s also important to make sure that you’re getting the top home theater system for its price point.
If you are in the market for a new home theater system for your home, take a look at these four home theater system options and see how they compare. This list will help anyone looking to upgrade to a better home theater system. So let’s take a look at the options below to allow you to make the right decision for what you want in a home theater system.
Best Home Theater System Reviews
Rockville HTS56 Home Theater
The Rockville HTS56 will make sure that you hear every second of your favorite music or movies, capping out 1000w of peak power. If you’re looking for a home theater system that excels in sound quality at a lower price point, look no further.
Product Highlights
This home theater system is a fantastic, 1000w speaker system that will absolutely blow you away with its sound quality. The Rockville HTS56 comes with five different speakers: two 3 inch front speakers, two 3 inch rear speakers, a center speaker and one 8 inch subwoofer. You’re going to get the exact sound you want from the Rockville HTS56, especially since it comes with a remote control and the ability to adjust individual speaker volumes.
Unlike other 5.1 channel systems, there’s no disappointment when playing music through a Bluetooth device; the Rockville HTS56 doesn’t limit you to just two speakers with the use of Bluetooth. All five speakers and the subwoofer will play sound regardless of whether you’re using your phone, playing a movie, or just listening to your favorite radio station.
Along with the five speakers and subwoofer, here are some of the included features:
- 1000-watts peak power
- 500-watts program power
- 250-watts continuous RMS power
- Digital display
- 5 band equalizer
- USB input
- SD input
The Good
There’s so much good to say about the Rockville HTS56. It’s one of the better quality speakers at its particular price point. You’ll get all the sound quality and features of a more expensive device without breaking the bank. One of the best things about this particular home theater system is that even with the subwoofer turned all the way up, you’ll hear absolutely zero distortion or rattle.
The Bad
The Rockville HTS56 doesn’t come with wires for connectivity, so be prepared for that. You may need to buy a converter if your television doesn’t have all the necessary jacks to hook up the sound system, as it is not entirely HDMI cables all the way through.
PROS
- Good quality at a low price point
- No subwoofer distortion
- Bluetooth is compatible with all speakers
CONS
- May need a wire converter for specific televisions
- Wire-heavy set up
Yamaha YHT-4930UBL Home Theater
Take a minute to admire the sleek design of the Yamaha YHT while you enjoy the powerful surround sound that this home theater has to offer. The low- to mid-price point won’t leave your bank account hurting, either.
Product Highlights
Yamaha is one of the leading producers and manufacturers of instruments and home theater systems, so it’s safe to say that Yamaha knows all about high-quality sound. This home theater system may be at a higher price point compared to others, but it very well may be worth the cost. The Yamaha YHT comes with Bluetooth for all your wireless music streaming needs, the exclusive Yamaha YPAO system that automatically calibrates to your environment for the best sound quality, and extra bass for when you really want to be fully immersed.
Not only that, but the Yamaha YHT understands that the rear speaker placement isn’t always an option. To combat losing any of that surround-sound quality, the Yamaha YHT has an alternative virtual cinema front speaker configuration. Along with the sleek, black glass packaging, the Yamaha YHT is a beautiful addition to pretty much any home entertainment system.
Check out some of the features that come with this system:
- Powerful surround sound
- Bluetooth for wireless music streaming
- 4K Ultra HD pass-through with HDCP 2.2 support
- 100w subwoofer
The Good
At the higher price point, the Yamaha YHT is unbeatable when it comes to sound quality. The setup is easy, and Yamaha provides you with everything you need to get started right out of the box. This system even has a headphone jack in the front for when you want to be able to enjoy the sound quality without disturbing others in the home.
The Bad
While the sound quality is phenomenal, the sound may not be as balanced as other home theater systems, especially those at higher prices. The center speaker may get a bit distorted or harsh when it comes to the midrange frequency. This can easily be adjusted with some fine-tuning of the individual speakers, however. While mounting this system is easy, the hardware to do so is not included.
PROS
- Good quality for the mid-range price
- Automatic environment calibration
- Virtual Cinema Front configuration
CONS
- Need familiarity with speaker frequency to fine-tune the sound
- No mounting hardware included
Klipsch HDT-600 Home Theater System
Are you looking for something glossy and beautiful with equally stunning sound quality in a low- to mid-price range? The Klipsch HDT-600 might just be for you.
Product Highlights
Four satellite speakers, a corresponding channel speaker center and a strong subwoofer are included in the Klipsch HDT-600. This full, compact surround system adds crisp dialog to your TV shows and movies, beautiful quality to your music and stunning impact to your video quality at an affordable price. When you go with the Klipsch HDT-600, you’re going to have the advantage of exclusive horn-loaded technology inside the speakers. This is the kind of home theater system that will have you feeling the bass.
Surround sound is the Klipsch HDT-600’s specialty. The Klipsch system compares with a Bose home theater without having to go into the high price range. If you’re looking for something easy to use and quality sound on more of a budget, this might be just what you’re looking for.
Check out the features that the Klipsch HDT-600 has:
- 4 satellites, 1 center channel and 1 subwoofer
- Horn-loaded technology
- 8-Inch down-firing, fiber composite woofer
- 100w amplifier
The Good
Klipsch HDT-600 can stand up against the higher range home theater systems without breaking the bank. The speakers have a clear, crisp sound that works well for both playing music and watching movies. The satellite speakers are small, which allows for a better placement throughout the house, without sacrificing the quality of the sound.
The Bad
Many customers have problems with rear mounting the speakers. The stands you may need for rear mounting a speaker have holes along a vertical bar, while the speakers themselves have the holes on the sides. You’ll want to be aware of those needs when considering rear mounting.
PROS
- Clear, crisp sounds from the speakers
- Horn-loaded technology
- Competes with higher-end home theater systems
- Much lower price range
CONS
- Rear mounting trouble
- Does not include speaker cables or RCA connector
Enclave Audio CineHome
This mid-range home theater system comes with a good quality because Enclave Audio focuses on making watching movies at home feel like you’re in a theater.
Product Highlights
If you’re looking for a home theater system that will make your living room feel like a movie theater, the Enclave Audio CineHome is one of the best systems out there. Sound bar technology tends to make sound sacrifices for ease of set up and convenience. However, the Enclave Audio utilizes wireless technology to connect to your TV with a single cable. You’ll be able to host HDMI and SPDIF sources, including cable, streaming appliances, satellite, and your favorite gaming consoles.
The Enclave Audio CineHome comes with front and rear speakers, satellite speakers, a subwoofer and a remote to give you complete control of your sound experience. The set up for the Enclave Audio is easy and allows for nearly straight out-of-the box use. For a better surround sound experience, the Enclave rear surround speakers contain two full-range drivers on opposite sides of the device.
Here are some of the features that come with the Enclave Audio CineHome:
- 3.5mm analog, optical and Bluetooth input
- HDMI Input
- Dolby Digital and DTS
- Bi-pole rear speakers
- Streaming and system updates
- Multiple inputs
The Good
The Enclave Audio CineHome is an easy setup. The system comes complete with all the cords you need, and the set up is basically a plug-and-play process. The setup comes with 9-foot power cords to connect the wireless speakers. The wireless set up means that your connectivity works through your Wi-Fi, which means that there’s no struggle setting up your new home theater system.
The Bad
Customers have reported that, while the sound quality is good when it’s working, the wireless speakers may have some trouble with connectivity. With poor connection, the wireless speakers may not work the best.
PROS
- 3 HDMI inputs
- Can connect cable box, gaming console, dish, satellite, streaming, etc.
- Wire-free home theater system
- Easy setup
CONS
- Some reported connectivity troubles
- Wifi connectivity can cause trouble working
BUYER’S GUIDE
When you’re going to spend a fair amount of money on a home theater system, you need to know what to look for when comparing the different models. There are several key features you should be aware of when you start shopping around for your new home theater system. Don’t just go in blind. Take a look at this buyer’s guide so that you’re fully equipped to start looking for a system that works best for you, your home, and your sound needs.
Installation
A quality home theater system shouldn’t leave you scratching your head. In fact, you shouldn’t need any help from tech support. The best kind of home theater system will be easy to install, which is such an essential part of customer satisfaction that more and more manufacturers are making sure their home theater systems can come out of the box ready to play. The setup should be self-explanatory and user-friendly after a comprehensive read of the instruction manual. If you’re looking at a higher price system, it should also include all of the cords you need to connect your speakers. Keep an eye out for “easy to install” when looking key features.
Sound Quality
The hallmark of a good home theater system is the sound quality. After all, you wouldn’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on something that sounds like it’s coming from your television speakers. Crisp, clear audio with little to no rattle or frequency disturbance should be high on any list home theater of key features. A subwoofer should also have technology that keeps it from shaking and causing a racket when it plays.
Network Sources
How does the home theater system connect? What can you connect to it, and what can you use with it? These are going to be big questions to ask when deciding what model or brand to go with. Don’t just assume that every home theater has the same kind of network sources! How many inputs are you going to need? Are you going to need something with HDMI cables, USB, or something else? These are the questions you should be able to answer when looking at the specs of any home theater system.
Speaker Specs
What are you using your home theater system for? Are you looking to make your music sound like you’re in a concert hall, or are you looking for a home theater experience? Take a look at the speaker specs when trying to decide what home theater system will work best to fit your needs. Do your speakers have alternate configurations? Is there an auto-configuration to fit the audio quality to your environment? These are important questions. Home theater systems rely on their sound quality. The speakers are NOT something you should compromise on.
Bluetooth/WiFi Compatible
A few of the models on this list have gone the way of Wi-Fi and forfeited Bluetooth capability. Be sure that you know what you’re getting when you’re shopping. Wi-Fi will work better if you have a constant, steady Wi-Fi connection and you don’t anticipate that changing any time soon. Still, having the ability to stream from your Bluetooth devices, such as a phone or a tablet, shouldn’t be overlooked.
F.A.Q.
Which is the best home theater system brand?
With so many brands to choose from, it can be hard to decide which is the best. Bose seems to be one of the best brands when it comes to creating and manufacturing the cutting edge technology in home theater systems. Of course, going from our list, it seems like Yamaha and Sonos are also leading contenders. But at the end of the day, the best for one person is not necessarily what another person is looking for.
Do you need an amplifier for home theater system?
To answer this question, think about what all you’re going to be connecting to your home theater system. The home theater receiver may not be enough if you’re going to be connecting and switching source components. An amplifier is often recommended if your home theater system is getting a lot of heavy day-to-day use with DVD/BluRay, gaming systems, satellites, and other sources.
How much power does a home theater system use?
It depends on what you’re using your home system for. More devices and more use will obviously use more power. However, the average 5.1 home theater system will use about 270 watts of power.
Are home theater systems suitable for music?
Home theater systems CAN be suitable for music — it’s all about the speaker specs. Keep that in mind when shopping around. Some home theater systems have speakers that are meant to play out the complexities of a movie, not a music album. If you are someone who enjoys listening to music with all of the impact that it was recorded with, make sure that you purchase a home theater system that can reproduce the audio quality required.
What is better: soundbar or home theater system?
It depends from your needs. There are numerous different options of soundbars and home theater systems in the market. A soundbar is essentially to compensate for poor sound on modern flat screen televisions. A home theater is for those who want something extra i.e. surround sound. A sound bar is simple to set up and wire, while setting up a home theater is a bit harder.
FINAL VERDICT
Now that you’ve read through our comprehensive reviews and looked through the above buyer’s guide for home theater systems, you’re more than ready to head out shopping on your own. If you’re still unsure, allow us to recommend the third option on our list, the Enclave Audio CineHome. It’s easy to use, quick set up, allows multiple room listening, and gives you a quality surround sound that you get with the big speakers while also being compact for a smaller home. Of course, if Enclave is out of your price range, the first system on the list, the Rockville HTS56 will get the job done with quality sound at a lower price point.