Top Surround Sound Systems in 2025: Best Soundbars and Speaker Sets

Explore the best surround sound systems of 2025 to elevate your home theater experience with top soundbars and speaker setups.

Creating the Ultimate Home Theater Sound

If you want your home theater to rival the local multiplex, having a great projector or TV is just half the battle. Sound is just as crucial as picture quality for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Settling for less just won't cut it.

Surround sound systems come in all shapes and sizes, tailored for every space and preference. Maybe you want a full 5.1 speaker set and don’t mind running cables from an AV receiver to your speakers? Or perhaps a sleek soundbar with clever processing that simulates immersive surround sound is more your style? We have several options for both in this guide. If a soundbar is your pick, be sure to check out our detailed guide on the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

Choosing the right surround sound system can be daunting, but don’t worry—we’ve tested and vetted the best products to share our favorites. Whether you’re on a budget or want the crème de la crème, this list has you covered for taking your home cinema to the next level.

All selections here were thoroughly tested by our expert team in specially designed home theater rooms, ensuring you get reliable recommendations.

Quick Picks

Best Speaker Set

1. Bowers & Wilkins 606 & 607 S3 Speaker Set

Bowers & Wilkins delivers a compelling argument to skip floor-standing speakers with this stunning set.

Best Soundbar System

2. Samsung HW-Q990D

Samsung offers an impressive surround sound system built around a quality soundbar.

Best Budget Speaker System

3. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Home Cinema Pack

A mature yet affordable surround sound system that punches above its weight.

Best Soundbar

4. Sonos Arc Ultra

The upgraded Sonos Arc Ultra surpasses its award-winning predecessor in many ways, making it the ultimate all-in-one TV sound system.

Best Wireless Speaker System

5. Sony Bravia Theatre Quad

Sony’s latest wireless system offers immersive sound without the hassle, wrapped in a sleek design.

Best Affordable Soundbar

6. Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

A budget-friendly soundbar with refined sound and efficient virtual Dolby Atmos processing.

Best Compact Speaker Set

7. Wharfedale DX-3 Home Cinema Pack

Small in size but big on sound, this compact set delivers impressive scale for its price.

1. Bowers & Wilkins 606 & 607 S3 Speaker Set

Awarded What Hi-Fi? Product of the Year, this practical yet powerful speaker set is a home theater standout.

Specifications

Pros

• Detailed, insightful sound
• Warm and rich vocals
• Brilliant dynamics and energy

Cons

• Slightly less spacious soundstage than larger sets

Placing individual speakers around your room is hands-down the best way to get authentic surround sound. This setup is often sold as a ready-made home cinema pack (HCP), but you can also handpick components if you wish.

This particular combo—though not sold as one by Bowers & Wilkins itself—is commonly available through retailers and includes left and right 606 S3 speakers, rear 607 S3 speakers, HTM6 S3 center channel, and ASW610 subwoofer. You’ll also want stands for front and rear speakers.

Why this combo? Compact yet premium, all parts mesh to deliver impressive performance. The sound is vibrant, energetic, detailed, and warm with vocal richness. It can’t quite match larger physical setups in sheer scale but sounds full-bodied and engaging.

“It’s impressive how well this DIY surround sound setup performs” — Expert Review

2. Samsung HW-Q990D

A complete Dolby Atmos surround sound system in one box.

Specifications

Price: From approximately $1,050

Pros

• Massive, immersive, 3D sound
• Dynamic, weighty, detailed audio
• Two HDMI 2.1 inputs

Cons

• Rare bass crackling
• Hard-to-read display

If a full AV receiver and multi-speaker setup isn't your vibe, Samsung’s soundbar system offers stellar cinematic surround sound without the cable chaos. Called the “complete Dolby Atmos sound system in one box,” the HW-Q990D is easy to set up and sounds sensational, earning its spot alongside top-tier sets from Wharfedale and Bowers & Wilkins.

The package includes the Dolby Atmos soundbar, two wireless rear speakers with upward firing drivers for Atmos effects, and a wireless subwoofer. Setup is straightforward—only power cables per component and an HDMI cable for the soundbar. Plus, Samsung’s SpaceFit calibration optimizes audio for your room continuously.

Samsung enhanced the already impressive predecessor to create a spacious yet tight soundstage, rich in detail and vocal clarity. The system masterfully recreates spatial audio, emphasizing height and positional effects from both the soundbar and rear speakers, creating a unified sound dome.

The dedicated subwoofer adds substantial bass depth. While there are better soundbar subs out there, Samsung's does a solid job pumping tension and weight into complex soundtracks like the second act of Blade Runner 2049.

Read our full Samsung HW-Q990D review

3. Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Home Cinema Pack

What Hi-Fi? Award winner, this Diamond 12.1 pack is high-class home cinema for the masses.

Specifications

Pros

• Impressive depth and composure
• Tight, musical subwoofer
• Wide, consistent sound field

Cons

• Nothing at this price point

This set is like the Audrey Hepburn of home cinema speakers: elegant, poised, with crystal-clear diction and charisma.

Included are four superb mid-sized Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers for front and rear, a 12.C center speaker, and an active SW10 subwoofer driving the bass.

The SW10 steals the spotlight with its lively and musical bass that melds effortlessly with the speakers, partly because the speakers themselves have impressive low-frequency abilities. The result? A rich, vibrant sound without bass overpowering mids or highs.

This system suits both music and movies beautifully, balancing cinematic scale, compact size, and affordability—perfect for folks who might overlook a “real” home cinema setup otherwise.

Pair it with a Denon AVR-X2800H AV receiver for confident, balanced amplification.

4. Sonos Arc Ultra

Sonos Arc Ultra truly lives up to its name.

Specifications

Price: From about $999

Pros

• Clean, precise, 3D sound
• Deep, melodic, expressive bass
• Outstanding soundbar detail

Cons

• No HDMI passthrough
• No DTS support
• App could be better

If you want a soundbar without extra speakers like the Samsung HW-Q990D, Sonos Arc Ultra should top your list. The original Arc was an award-winning favorite, and Ultra takes it a notch higher.

It looks similar to the predecessor but is slightly wider and shorter, best suited for large TVs.

Inside, seven tweeters, six midrange drivers, and a “Sound Motion” woofer form a 9.1.4 channel setup powered by 15 class-D amps—an upgrade over the original.

The bass performance is notably improved with a perfect balance of weight and control. The way sounds are placed around you, brimming with detail and dynamics, captivates.

Though setup and TruePlay tuning are user-friendly, the app isn’t flawless, and the lack of extra HDMI inputs may disappoint those with limited TV ports.

Still, Sonos Arc Ultra undoubtedly earns its “ultra” title.

Read our full Sonos Arc Ultra review

5. Sony Bravia Theatre Quad

A wireless system from Sony that sounds great but comes with a high price tag.

Specifications

Price: From around $2,500

Pros

• Clean, immersive sound
• Good wired and wireless options
• Intuitive setup

Cons

• Very expensive
• Bass lacks heft and power

Sony had big shoes to fill replacing the fantastic HT-A9 wireless system from 2021. Their answer is the Bravia Theatre Quad—a slimmer, upgraded concept offering a substantial leap forward.

With 16 channels delivering 504W of power, this system creates truly enveloping sound, supported by Dolby Atmos. While HT-A9 had 14 drivers, the Quad eclipses it with sheer scale.

Setup is plug-and-play simple, with no messy cables across your living room. The Bravia Connect app guides you through automatic calibration using your phone’s mic.

The included HDMI pass-through supports 4K/120Hz and HDR video signals.

Though bass can feel light, and an external subwoofer might be needed for full impact, this system is a standout for wireless convenience and theatrical sound.

6. Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

An award-winning compact soundbar with refined Dolby Atmos performance.

Specifications

Price: From about $417

Pros

• Effective Dolby Atmos processing
• Warm, refined sound
• Smart streaming features

Cons

• No extra HDMI ports
• No DTS:X support

Delivering Dolby Atmos from a small form factor is tough, yet Beam Gen 2 pulls off an immersive performance without any upward-firing drivers. Instead, it uses two of five front arrays for overhead and surround effects, combined with advanced HRTF tech to create a height impression.

Though real height effects may be a stretch here, the virtual Atmos feels better than other soundbars in this price range and some pricier models.

Beam Gen 2 offers a spacious, enveloping soundstage loaded with detail and 3D effects.

Want more immersion? Add two One SL rear speakers (about $358) and a Sub (around $699) for a traditional surround setup.

Unlike most budget soundbars, Beam Gen 2 supports networked multi-room audio, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Amazon Music Ultra HD with lossless 24-bit/48kHz and Dolby Atmos Music.

If your space and budget are tight, this is the Dolby Atmos soundbar to beat.

7. Wharfedale DX-3 Home Cinema Pack

The smallest surround set from Wharfedale still delivers big sound.

Specifications

Pros

• Detailed, clear sound
• Punchy dynamics
• Competitive price

Cons

• Could use more warmth and richness

If you want more than a soundbar but lack space for large speakers, the Wharfedale DX-3 is perfect for small rooms.

The successor to the award-winning DX-2, this compact set features two-way rear speakers designed for close wall placement, a center channel that fits neatly under your TV, and a modest 70W subwoofer.

Despite small size, the sound is cinematic with punch and detail. It’s less warm than the predecessor but pairing with the right amp could fix that.

Though it lacks the premium feel and is pricier than the DX-2, it’s still a practical, affordable step up from soundbars.

Other Considerations

• Q Acoustics 5040 5.1 Home Cinema: A solid 5.1 floor-standing system that doesn’t break the bank but offers less bass weight than some here.
• Dali Oberon 5 5.1: Award-winning system with stellar performance if budget and space allow.
• Wharfedale Evo 4.4 5.1: Premium, dynamic sound with amazing rhythm, but the large center channel needs room.
• Sonos Arc: A great alternative if space for speakers is tight and you want excellent surround from a soundbar, plus Sonos ecosystem flexibility.
• Sony HT-SF150: The cheapest pick for upgrading a second TV, offering surprising value.

Choosing Your Surround Sound System

Speakers or Soundbar?

Speakers: Real 360° surround sound but requires more space, cables, and an AV receiver (unless wireless).

Soundbar: Compact and neat, combining speakers and amplifier in one box. Some models include wireless rear speakers and subwoofer.

Budget

Consider your total spend, including AV receiver if opting for speaker sets. Make sure any amplifier you own fits the speakers you pick.

Dolby Atmos Performance

Atmos is the pinnacle of surround sound. Soundbars simulate height effects cleverly, but nothing beats physical upward-firing or overhead speakers for true immersion.

Connections

Speaker systems need AV receivers as hubs. Soundbars usually connect directly via HDMI or optical cable. Check your TV’s ports and the product’s connections.

Streaming options like Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, or voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant) add convenience but aren’t essential.

Make sure your new system is compatible with your gaming console, 4K Blu-ray player, set-top box, and other gear.

Happy hunting!

How We Test Surround Sound Systems

Our testing method involves direct, real-world comparisons in an acoustically treated London home theater test room.

We evaluate systems in 5.1, 7.2, and Atmos configurations, swapping gear between reviews to avoid memory bias. Playback is through a reference Arcam AVR31 AV receiver.

We select test discs and streaming content that challenge bass control, detail, and format decoding using scenes like the Batman car chase and Blade Runner 2049’s booming second act.

We check music performance too, across various genres, ensuring a well-rounded appraisal.

At least two reviewers test each system independently for unbiased, thorough insights.

FAQs

• What do the numbers in surround sound systems mean?
  The first number is the number of speakers, the second is the number of subwoofers, and the third (if any) is the number of height speakers. For example, 5.1 means five speakers and one subwoofer; 5.1.2 adds two height speakers for that immersive "sound dome."
• Does more speakers mean better sound?
  Not always. A 7.2 system isn’t automatically better than 5.1. Sound quality depends on speaker engineering, matching, and overall build. Read specific reviews before deciding.
• Can a soundbar deliver true surround sound?
  Many claim to, including Atmos-capable models. They can simulate surround effectively but usually can’t match the realism of a full speaker set.
• How should surround speakers be placed?
  Proper placement is key. Rear speakers should be behind or to the sides, not in front. Subwoofer and center speakers also have ideal locations for best effect.
• What’s the best setup for Dolby Atmos?
  Full Atmos requires upward-firing or ceiling speakers for height effects. Soundbars use clever tricks but can’t fully replace real Atmos speakers.

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