Best Cheap Surround Sound [2023 Review]

You are in luck if you are looking for a low-cost surround sound system. When Disney created the first “surround sound” system in 1941 to allow theaters to see their latest picture, it cost a fortune and there was no way people could get one for their homes. For around $100, you may now have excellent surround sound in your house.

The search “best cheap surround sound” brings well over 10,000 hits on Amazon alone. So, to save you time and money, we have compiled a list of the finest inexpensive surround sound systems for 2021.

There are many things and features our list has to offer and we also included a buyer’s guide at the end. If you are interested in these models, keep reading our Best Cheap Surround Sound review for more information below.

Our Top Pick: Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker Package

Features: If you want a straightforward method to set up surround sound at home, the Harman Kardon HKTS 16 is one of your alternatives.

You will have everything you need to create earth-shaking, heart-stopping, and floor-thumping sounds with this setup. Is this the most suitable option for you? Continue reading to find out! If you are looking for the best cheap Surround Sound, you should give this one a chance.

The Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ Channel Home Theatre Speaker System is a beautiful and high-performance surround speaker system that works to replicate life-like audio for anything you watch on TV, such as your favorite movies or shows.

This home theater speaker system is designed to leave an indelible impact on you from every aspect. This high-performance surround sound system contains a 200-watt subwoofer that works in tandem with two-way satellite, voice-matched, and center speakers to provide improved aural realism to whatever you watch on TV.

Four satellite speakers, a center channel speaker, and a subwoofer make up the HKTS 20 six-piece system. The pre-mounted table supports the black gloss plastic satellites elegantly hiding strong metal push-type wiring connectors.

Unfortunately, such connections only accept bare wire ends, so banana plugs, spades, and pins are not an option. The center speaker includes a built-in table stand, as well as wall-mount brackets for all five speakers.

Runner Up: Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System

Features: The Klipsch Reference Theater Pack is a small pair of 5.1 surround speakers that delivers great sound. The wireless subwoofer that comes with the package offers enough low-end punch.

Klipsch used components that were identical to those found in its full-sized speakers. It is pricey for a tiny system, and it is not as appealing as some of its competitors. For the same money, you can have a larger, better-sounding system. The rear of the satellites’ spring clips is a tad tricky.

The Klipsch Reference Theater Pack produces remarkable sound for its small size, but it lacks the dramatic punch of larger-box speakers. If you are looking for the best cheap Surround Sound, you should give this one a chance.

Do not be fooled by the Klipsch Reference Theater Pack’s little stature; this system packs a powerful punch in a tiny space. Even so, if you have a large space or want chest-thumping bass, you will need to upgrade to a more powerful system.

The system’s performance is marked by a strong grasp of high-frequency and mid-range detail, as well as an energetic low-end approach. It also manages to produce a larger sound than one might think given the cabinet size.

The satellites’ high sensitivity ratings (91dB for the satellites, 95dB for the centre channel) make them easy to operate and ideal for pairing with a low-cost AV receiver.

Best for Budget: Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System

Features: This THX-certified speaker system makes converting any space into a home theater a breeze. Every tire scream, footstep, and rumbling are captured in 5.1 discrete channels of powerful, realistic surround sound, just as the studio intended.

To receive THX accreditation, these surround sound speakers have to meet stringent performance requirements. It is your best bet for a cinematic sound experience. If you are looking for the best cheap Surround Sound, you should give this one a chance.

For movies, music, and gaming, enjoy strong, theater-quality acoustics. Crystal-clear high-end, rich mid-range tones and huge, deep bass are delivered by dynamic satellite and center channel speakers, as well as a 165-watt subwoofer.

The satellites, unlike other Logitech products, use standard speaker wire rather than proprietary connectors. If the included 4.6m front and 7.6m rear cables are not long enough, you may purchase longer ones without having to splice wires together.

Because both the front and rear satellites can be wall-mounted, you have a lot of alternatives for speaker placement. Their build quality is exceptional – the hefty enclosures make them really robust, to the point that you might picture them walking away undamaged from a tumble down the stairs.

We really appreciate how each satellite looks slightly upwards when put on the tables, and the screw holes on the back allow you to mount them on the wall. A separate horizontally oriented center speaker is also included.

What is the best cheap surround sound in 2021?

There is no one solution to this issue because it is dependent on so many things. You must first establish a pricing limit. As your limit is increased, the number of feasible options increases dramatically.

Under $500, you can get a couple of fairly good surround sound systems. For that type of money, you can even get a complete HTiB (speakers + AV receiver). When the limit is $200 or $100, the number of fantastic alternatives is substantially reduced.

Whatever your budget, our list of the 8 best inexpensive surround sound systems in 2021 has a recommendation for you. So, our recommendation is to scroll up and read our reviews.

Is it worth buying a surround sound system?

If you have been wondering if it is worth the hassle to buy the best cheap surround sound, we have the answer. Surround sound enhances the enjoyment and realism of movies and music.

It is not only to make an action movie with all of its explosions and blasts feel like you are there dodging bullets and avoiding debris, but it is also to make your music sound more immersive.

If you have the appropriate equipment, the audio quality is superb. Instead of merely having a subwoofer that produces the proper bass tones or satellites with excellent sound quality, these speakers work together to make things sound a lot better.

Surround sound systems may appear to be costly, especially when compared to conventional multimedia speakers. However, there are several configurations that use fewer speakers and are more cost-effective.

Also, keep in mind that you will not feel compelled to buy movie tickets because you will be able to enjoy the same sound quality at home.

How many speakers do you need for the best cheap surround sound system?

A: A 5.1 speaker setup (5 speakers + 1 subwoofer) is the bare minimum for genuine surround sound.

Although there are a few soundbar/subwoofer combos with up-firing and side-firing speakers that can approximate surround sound, their performance is rarely comparable to genuine home theater systems withdedicated speakers for each channel.

What to consider when buying the best cheap surround sound?

Budget sound systems, which are similar to soundbars thatcost less than $1000, will provide you with high-quality audio and high-end technology and functionality. There are a few things to check for to ensure that your surround system willdeliver.

Size

A speaker system might take up a lot of areas in your living room. Two front speakers (left and right), two back speakers, and one center speaker are usually included in a modern system design.

There are also home theater setup choices that take up less space. The sound quality of music, movies and video games should not be affected by the size of the soundbar. There are excellent examples of littledevices that can offer excellent audio and Blu-Ray content in our list, so check them out.

AV Receiver

The audio receiver is in charge of receiving audio signals from various sources. The AV receiver you choose should have enough channels to support all of your speakers.

Choose a high-quality receiver with AV capability. There are also high-quality and budget-friendly AV receivers available on the market for under $500.

Channels

The numbers in surround sound systems for home theaters relate to the number of channels or points of audio emission that your surround speakers have.

One of the basic 5.1 channel setups will typically feature five speakers. Front speakers with a center channel, two satellite rear speakers, and a subwoofer are included and that is how 5.1 compares to 7.1 channels.

Connectivity

In a setup with five speakers, wireless connectivity will always be available. To link everything to the sound base, a 5.1 channel home theater will have either Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

You may also create a multi-room system using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Bluetooth allows you to connect your mobile devices and stream music or movies in high-quality sound.

While many systems include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi is more difficult to find. That is something to think about. Aside from that, you will want to utilize a surround system that has HDMI capability.

What factors should you consider before purchasing a home theater system?

Home theater speakers should be chosen based on the number of channels, audio technology, the presence of a wireless subwoofer, and design. Look for one with at least 5 speakers, an external subwoofer, Dolby TrueHD audio formats, and a small enough footprint to fit in your living room.

Which 5.1 home theater system is the best?

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker Package is the greatest 5.1 home theater system. It has the ability to improve low-quality footage to near-Blu-Ray quality. You may organize the system any way you want using wireless speakers that are adaptable.

A home entertainment system or a soundbar: which is better?

A soundbar is inferior to a home theater system. External speakers, such as the Sonos Play 5 and Bose SoundTouch 30, may provide genuine 3D audio that surrounds you completely, something a soundbar alone cannot. There is also an external subwoofer to boost the bass.

Is a home theater system worth the money?

Yes, a home theater is a good investment. The addition of additional speakers and a subwoofer will provide excellent acoustics and voices. A home theater with modern technology like Dolby TrueHD may offer bass, speech, and 3D sound that standard TV speakers cannot.

Conclusion: Best Cheap Surround Sound [2023 Review]

There is nothing quite like seeing a movie in a cinema, especially whether it is an action film or a suspense thriller. The surround sound in these movie theaters contributes to the improved experience. It is completely immersive, and you will feel like you are a part of the action.

You can have a similar experience in your living room or basement with home theater systems. The ones on our list are excellent systems that excelled at nearly every task. We have high hopes that you will find the one you will get for your TV system on our list.

There is not a poor choice when it comes to these three best cheap surround sound systems. You can go and buy any of these that you like with an ease of mind. We hope you liked our Best Cheap Surround Sound review and it was helpful.