Beyond Stereo: Which Speaker Brand Gives the Best Surround Sound Experience?

Transform your living room into a home theatre with these impressive surround sound systems from Sonos, Samsung, Sony, and other brands. Equipped with advanced sound technology, these speakers offer the best cinematic experience possible.
Top Speaker Brand for Surround Sound Experience
Top Speaker Brand for Surround Sound Experience

For a full-fledged home theatre experience, a dedicated surround sound system is a must-have. Whether you have struggled to hear dialogue in the past or found that the sound just didn’t live up to the visual experience, a quality speaker brand can change all of that. Imagine going from barely catching a whisper to hearing every word with crisp, spatial clarity, as if your ears had just been unblocked for the very first time. Add to that the immersive feeling of thunderous, rib-rattling explosions, deep bass notes, and a rich, balanced audio spectrum, and you will quickly realise why investing in a good sound system is worthwhile.

Well! To help you choose the best for your gadget zone, here we have compiled a list of top speaker brands that offer a surround sound experience. These speakers are popular for giving you advanced features at valuable prices.

Surround Sound Simplified: Choosing the Right Speaker Brand for Your Needs

Building a truly immersive surround sound experience starts with selecting the right speaker brand. Many top speaker brands consistently lead with their dedication to audio fidelity and innovative surround technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

When choosing, consider your room size and budget. Dedicated home theatre speaker packages offer unparalleled immersion, while soundbars with wireless rears provide a more compact solution. Look for features like object-based audio support (e.g., Dolby Atmos), adequate power output for your space, and seamless connectivity. Ultimately, the best brand is one that balances your desired sound quality, features, and budget to create a cinematic atmosphere in your home.

Top Five Products

  • Sonos Beam (Gen 2)

    Beam into high-definition sound with this Sonos Beam (Gen 2), which is enhanced by Dolby Atmos, and the built-in processor works really fast to create two new audio channels for a perfect virtual surround sound experience. Also, the advanced audio processing feature makes sure of well-balanced audio at every volume level, making it one of the best surround sound speaker systems for home theater. The detailed surround sound of this Sono soundbar makes it perfect for music, radio, audiobooks, and podcasts. The precise perforated grille design looks aesthetically appealing and would easily blend with the modern home decor. 

    Offering smart home integration, this surround sound speaker supports Wi-Fi and Apple AirPlay 2. Also, touch controls are available for users’ convenience to easily control volume, media, etc. This soundbar for TV also supports HDMI eARC connection for ease of connectivity.

    Specifications

    • Brand: Sonos
    • Speaker Maximum Output Power: 250 Watts
    • Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi, wireless
    • Audio Output Mode: Stereo
    • Mounting Type: Tabletop Mount
    • Controller Type: Remote Control
    • Surround Sound Channel Configuration: ‎2.1
    • Color: ‎Black
    • Compatible Devices: Television

    Pros

    • Voice-enabled soundbar for hands-free operation
    • Can be controlled with the Sonos app and the TV’s remote
    • Easy to install on the tabletop

    Cons

    • No Bluetooth connectivity option is available
    01
  • Sony Bravia Theatre Quad (HT-A9M2)

    The Sony Bravia Theatre Quad soundbar is a top-rated surround sound speaker for music. It uses 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology to create up to twelve phantom speakers from just four actual speakers, resulting in the most immersive and realistic surround sound. The BRAVIA and Quad can play back high definition IMAX sources offered by BRAVIA Core and others, providing an IMAX theater experience in the comfort of your own home.

    It's 16 channels, driven by 504W of amplification, deliver immersive and engaging sound, which is enhanced by Dolby Atmos support. The HT-A9, on the other hand, had 14 drivers in all; while exceptional, the Quad much exceeded its predecessor. This is also an easy-to-set-up surround sound speaker system. 

    Specifications: 

    • Brand: Sony
    • Model Name: HT A9M2
    • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
    • Audio Output Mode: Surround
    • Mounting Type: free standing
    • Colour: Grey
    • Is Waterproof: True
    • Control Method: Remote
    • Speaker Size: 12 Inches

    Pros: 

    • It offers good wired and wireless connectivity
    • The clear and spacious sound
    • Intuitive set-up

    Cons: 

    • It’s very expensive 
    02
  • Yamaha SR-B40A Dolby Atmos Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer (Black)

    Yamaha presents this Dolby Atmos soundbar, which is fueled with the Yamaha True Sound engineering for a top-tier surround sound experience. A subwoofer is provided, which adds low-end, punchy bass in movies and music. Since this is a wireless subwoofer, one can easily place the device anywhere in the room. Also, a single HDMI or optical cable connectivity option is provided to easily connect television sets. In addition to this, HDMI-CEC and eARC compatibility are provided in this soundbar for users’ convenience, and also, it lets users control this sound system with the help of the TV’s remote control. 

    Additionally, an iOS/Android compatible app is supported, which lets users control this Dolby Atmos straight from their smartphone anytime, anywhere. The elegant, slim design of this soundbar looks aesthetically pleasing and can easily fit under the TV. 

    Specifications

    • Brand: Yamaha Audio
    • Speaker Maximum Output Power: 200 Watts
    • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth, Optical, HDMI
    • Audio Output Mode: Dolby Atmos
    • Mounting Type: Wall Mount
    • Compatible Devices: ‎Television
    • Subwoofer Diameter: ‎16 Centimetres
    • Controller Type: ‎Remote Control & App Control

    Pros

    • Clear Voice feature enhances the dialogue quality for an immersive experience
    • Bass Extension offers greater bass response
    • Bluetooth connectivity is available for wireless music streaming

    Cons

    • None as such
    03
  • Samsung 656 W 11.1.4 ch (HW-Q990D/XL)

    Samsung's 656 W 11.1.4 ch boasts amazing audio capabilities that match its looks. This soundbar, rear speaker, and sub-package boasts enticingly handy features such as Wireless Dolby Atmos and 22 speakers for a truly immersive, spatial, and cinematic experience with the best audio quality.

    This wireless surround sound speaker system has SpaceFit Sound Pro, a function that employs a built-in microphone to measure the room's acoustics before automatically equalising the speakers. Overall, the soundbar is a great alternative for Samsung TV users, especially with its Q-Symphony feature, which allows you to use the TV's speakers simultaneously for even better performance.

    Specification: 

    • Brand: Samsung
    • Model Number: HW-Q990D/XL
    • Speaker Maximum Output Power: 656 Watts
    • Frequency Response: 120 Hz
    • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
    • Audio Output Mode: Surround
    • Colour: Graphite Black
    • Is Waterproof: False
    • Control Method: Remote

    Pros: 

    • It has powerful and immersive sound
    • The Dolby Atmos makes things very immersive
    • It offers SmartThings App support

    Cons: 

    • It is a large soundbar, so it needs lots of space
    04
  • LG Soundbar S65TR

    Want to buy the best budget surround sound speaker system? LG Soundbar S65TR is an excellent option. This is sound enhancer for any LG TV, and its lower width and depth allow it to fit well beneath a stand-mounted QNED TV. If you prefer wall mounting, the soundbar is also fully compatible with the LG QNED Synergy Bracket, an easy-to-install soundbar shelf that attaches directly to the TV rather than the wall.

    This is a surround sound speaker for small rooms that is designed to be seen as well as heard. It includes LG's new crest design, which gives the soundbar a sleek and stylish appearance. But looks are only the beginning. The metal grill also keeps dust and debris out of your soundbar, allowing you to enjoy uninterrupted audio. Furthermore, with a Wireless subwoofer and Wireless Rear Speaker that projects 600W of eye-catching audio.

    Specifications: 

    • Brand: LG
    • Model: S65TR
    • Speaker Maximum Output Power: 600 Watts
    • Connectivity Technology: Bluetooth
    • Audio Output Mode: Surround
    • Mounting Type: Wall Mount
    • Colour: Black
    • Is Waterproof: False
    • Control Method: Remote
    • Speaker Size: 1 Inches

    Pros: 

    • The sound quality is rich, clear & cinematic
    • Easy to use with LG’s App support 
    • The bass is very clear 

    Cons: 

    • It has no wifi/AirPlay, it only supports Bluetooth
    05

Setting Up Your Surround Sound System: Tips and Tricks

Setting up your surround sound system effectively is the main task for an immersive audio experience.

  • Begin with meticulous speaker placement. For a 5.1 system, position front left/right speakers equally distant from your viewing spot, with the center channel directly aligned with your screen for clear dialogue.
  • Surround speakers should sit slightly behind and to the sides of your listening position, ideally at ear level or slightly above.
  • Next, calibration is most important. Utilise your AV receiver's auto-calibration feature with its included microphone; this automatically fine-tunes speaker distances, levels, and crossovers for optimal room acoustics. If manual calibration is preferred, an SPL meter (even a smartphone app) helps balance each speaker's volume to around 75dB at your main listening point.
  • Finally, address room acoustics by minimising reflections with soft furnishings like rugs and curtains, and experiment with subwoofer placement for the best bass response.

Read More: Best GOVO Soundbars Under Rs 7,999

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Faq's

  • What is the most important factor when choosing surround sound speakers?
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    The most important factor is room acoustics and size. The speakers need to be appropriately matched to your room for optimal sound dispersion and immersion, regardless of speaker brand.
  • What is the difference between Dolby Atmos and DTS:X?
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    Both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are object-based audio formats, creating 3D soundscapes. Atmos typically uses dedicated height speakers. DTS:X is more flexible with speaker layouts and doesn't strictly require height speakers, though they enhance the experience.
  • Are wireless surround sound systems as good as wired systems?
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    Wired systems generally offer superior sound quality, reliability, and less latency due to direct connections. On the other hand, wireless systems offer convenience and cleaner aesthetics but can be prone to interference and still require power cables. So, overall both types are good and both have their own advantages.