Audio Channels: While buying a multi-channel home theater, you should first consider the total number of audio channels offered by it. This is due to the reason that having more audio channels like 7.2.4 surround sound or 5.1.4 surround sound will result in better immersiveness than a typical 5.1 channel surround sound setup. Peak Power: If you want your multi-channel home theater to be loud enough for all your multimedia needs, then you should consider checking its peak power rating. This is due to the reason that a higher peak power rating of up to 1250 watts will be much louder than a peak power rating of up to 800 watts or similar. Driver Size: Similar to any other type of speakers, you should also check the driver size of the various speakers and woofers of your home theater setup. This is due to the reason that a larger driver size of 6 inches or 8 inches will perform much better than a smaller 4-inch driver in the case of both speakers as well as subwoofers.
Best Multi Channel Home Theaters Table
Best Multi Channel Home Theaters Reviews
1. Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System
Polk Audio is a fairly high end and a highly popular brand of audio products which you can tell by its name that offers high quality speakers including its multi channel home theater given here. The Polk Audio multi channel home theater is present in the 1st position in this list since this is one of the best options out there if you want a mix of various speaker types. This is made possible thanks to its 5.1 channel surround sound configuration. And while it might not be the highest, its peak power rating of up to 800 watts should be plenty for most. Coming to the speaker type of this multi channel home theater, it uses a mix of tower and bookshelf speakers for ease of use. Another great thing about this multi channel home theater is that Polk Audio includes a 5 year long warranty with it which is one of the longest out there. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 800 watts Includes bookshelf and tower speaker types Backed by a 5 year long warranty for longevity
Pros:
Pretty great audio quality thanks to large sized drivers Great mix of different of speakers for versatility Long warranty period for your peace of mind
Cons:
Peak power rating could have been higher for the given price
2. Rockville HTS56 1000w 5.1 Channel Home Theater System
When compared with most other options out there, Rockville is quite a new and a pretty small brand of audio products that you can consider using if you are on a budget and looking for a multi-channel home theater setup. Rockville’s HTS56 multi-channel home theater is present in the 2nd position in this listicle as it happens to be one of the most affordable options available out there. Considering that it is an entry-level option, you still get a standard 5.1 channel surround sound setup with it. More importantly, you get a pretty amazing peak power rating of up to 1000 watts with it. However, since this is an affordable multi-channel home theater, the included bookshelf speakers are not the best in terms of their audio quality. That being said, Rockville does offer a 1-year warranty to the user which is pretty amazing considering the given price tag. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 1000 watts Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 1-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Highly affordable and budget-friendly multi-channel home theater Quite a high peak power rating for the given price tag Easy to setup thanks to small and compact speaker units
Cons:
Poor audio quality due to smaller driver sizes for its speakers
3. Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System
Logitech is one of the oldest brands of computer accessories and audio products because of which it is still one of the best go-to options when talking about multi-channel home theater systems. This Logitech Z906 multi-channel home theater is present in the 3rd position in this article because it is one of the best value for money options out there since it offers a punch for its given price. Starting with its surround sound support, you get a 5.1 channel surround sound setup. Not only that but this THX-certified multi-channel home theater also includes a peak power rating of up to 1000 watts. While this multi-channel home theater may only include bookshelf speakers, they sound pretty great thanks to their given driver sizes. And because Logitech is a highly reputable brand of multi-channel home theaters, you also get a decent 2-year warranty along with it. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 1000 watts Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 2 year long warranty for longevity
Pros:
Excellent value for money home theater system Offers a handy media controller in the box Pretty loud thanks to THX rating and high power speakers
Cons:
Woofer can be slightly big for your living room
4. Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 Channel 800W Dolby Atmos
Nakamichi is one of the most premium and a fairly new brand of home theater systems because of which its offerings are perfect for those who are looking for something feature-rich and highly practical. The Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite multi-channel home theater is the best option given in this list if you are looking for a feature-loaded home theater system. Starting with its surround sound, it uses a 7.2.4 channel surround sound configuration which is one of the best out there. Although, despite offering this many channels, it only has a peak power output of up to 800 watts. Thankfully, you do get a mix of bookshelf speakers and a soundbar which makes this a great sounding multi-channel home theater. And as you would expect from such a premium multi-channel home theater, you also get a 1-year warranty along with it. Best Features:
Uses a 7.2.4 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 800 watts Includes bookshelf and soundbar speaker types Backed by a 1-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Versatile surround sound configuration with Dolby atmos support Quite a great sounding option with dual subwoofers Highly versatile in terms of connectivity options and features
Cons:
Quite an expensive and highly premium multi-channel home theater
5. Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System
When you are talking about professional-grade audio systems, Klipsch and its offerings are most likely what comes to your mind thanks to their superb audio quality including this multi-channel home theater. Klipsch’s Black Reference multi-channel home theater is hands down the best sounding option present in this listicle thanks to its high-end drivers. Coming to its surround sound capabilities, it uses a 5.1 channel surround sound setup. One of the best things about this multi-channel home theater system is that you get a peak power rating of up to 1250 watts with it which makes it one of the best out there. To ensure that you get the best possible audio, Klipsch uses only and only bookshelf speakers for this setup. And being one of the most reputable audio brands out there, Klipsch also includes a 5-year warranty with it. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 1250 watts Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 5-year long warranty for longevity
Pros:
Best in class sound quality for an immersive home theater experience One of the most powerful multi-channel home theaters Small and compact bookshelf speakers for ease of use
Cons:
Does not come with any smart connectivity features
6. GPX HT050B 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker System
GPX is quite a popular brand of home theater systems despite being a small brand as most of its offerings are perfect for those who want to get something affordable and budget-friendly. This GPX HT050B multi-channel home theater is the cheapest option given in this article which makes it the perfect pick for buyers with a tight budget. Despite being one of the cheapest options out there, you still get a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration with it. However, since this is an entry-level option, it does not mention a peak power rating which can be an issue for some. Fortunately, this home theater does make pretty good sense for tight spaces thanks to the small and compact form factor of its satellites. Not only that but you also get a 1-year warranty with it which is not common with budget offerings. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 1-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Quite an affordable and budget-friendly home theater system Pretty small and compact in size and form factor Decent warranty period and build quality for the price
Cons:
Does not mention a peak power rating for its speakers
7. Monoprice 5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers
Monoprice offers all kinds of audio and video accessories and products that are generally fairly affordable which is also true for its multi-channel home theater given here. The Monoprice multi-channel home theater is yet another entry-level option present in this list that can be perfect for those who want something powerful on a budget. Starting with its surround sound performance, you get a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration. More importantly, you also get a decently high peak power output of up to 900 watts with it. Taking a look at the speaker units themselves, all of them are bookshelf speakers which is to be expected at this price. Although, what you won’t expect from a budget option like this is its 1-year warranty which is perfect for long term use. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 900 watts Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 1 year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Great value for money multi-channel home theater setup Highly powerful and loudspeakers for a budget offering Easy to install and setup thanks to compact size
Cons:
Not the best sounding multi-channel home theater out there
8. VIZIO 5.1.4 Premium Sound Bar
You can find all kinds of high-quality TVs and soundbars from Vizio that generally offer high-end features along with solid performance Vizio’s SB46514-F6 multi-channel home theater is a great option for those who want something unique and different in terms of a multi-channel home theater. This is made possible thanks to its given 5.1.4 surround sound channel configuration which supports Dolby Atmos. Unfortunately, despite being quite loud and powerful, Vizio does not mention any peak power rating with it. Moving over to the speaker types used in this multi-channel home theater, it uses both bookshelf speakers and a soundbar for making Dolby Atmos support possible. You also get a 1-year warranty with this home theater system which is similar to most others. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1.4 channel surround sound configuration Includes bookshelf and soundbar speaker types Backed by a 1-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Feature loaded multi-channel home theater option Quite a unique surround sound configuration for an immersive setup Great build quality along with a standard warranty period
Cons:
Lacks a peak power rating for its power and loudness output
9. LG LHD657 Bluetooth Multi Region Free 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker
LG not only offers home appliances like TVs, refrigerators, ACs, but also offers high performance accessories for them like its multi-channel home theaters which are great for high-end TVs. LG’s LHD657 multi-channel home theater can be considered as one of the best options in this listicle when it comes to ease of use and installation. Despite being highly user friendly, you still get a standard 5.1 channel surround sound configuration with this LG home theater. Another great thing about this multi-channel home theater is that it is rated for up to 1000 watts of peak power. But the best part about this multi-channel home theater is that it uses tower speakers for all of its speaker units which can be placed quite easily at any location. You even get a 3-year warranty with this multi-channel home theater since LG is a highly reputable brand. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 1000 watts Includes tower speaker types Backed by a 3-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
Highly powerful multi-channel home theaters for most Quite easy to install and setup thanks to a tower design Pretty long warranty period for your peace of mind
Cons:
Can be a bit too bulky and large for smaller homes
10. Enclave CineHome II 5.1 Wireless Home Theater System
Enclave is another high-end brand of multi-channel home theaters that you can keep in mind especially if you are looking for something that not only looks great but also sounds great. The Enclave CineHome II multi-channel home theater is a pretty great sounding option thanks to the high-end audio drivers that it uses. As for its surround sound function, this setup also uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration which is the same as others. And while it is not the highest, you do get a decent peak power output of up to 800 watts from it. Just like many other multi-channel home theaters available out there, Enclave uses bookshelf speakers for this home theater setup. And as you would expect from such a high end and premium offering, it does come with a 1-year warranty. Best Features:
Uses a 5.1 channel surround sound configuration Outputs a maximum peak power of up to 800 watts Includes bookshelf speaker types Backed by a 1-year warranty for longevity
Pros:
High-quality speakers for an immersive sound Various smart connectivity and control features Premium looking design with a great build quality
Cons:
Highly expensive and premium multi-channel home theater
Buying Guide for the Best Multi-Channel Home Theaters
Even though most high-end TVs come with pretty great sounding inbuilt speakers, none of them can come even close to the sound offered by a standalone home theater setup. Apart from audio quality and loudness, external speakers can even offer multi-channel surround sound support for excellent immersive. And for the same reason, we have already discussed a few of the best multi-channel home theaters earlier in this list. To help you choose the perfect one, all of these multi-channel home theaters also have their primary specifications and features listed along with them. But if you still want to learn more, consider checking out this complete buying guide for the best multi-channel home theaters:
1. Audio Channels
The first and the most important thing to consider while getting a multi-channel home theater system is the number of audio channels offered by it. This simply tells you about the total number of speakers and woofers used by your home theater. Usually, you will find most multi-channel home theaters to offer 5.1 channel surround sound output. This simply means that your home theater will have 5 satellite speakers including front left, front right, rear left, rear right, and the center channel along with 1 subwoofer. But with modern multi-channel home theaters, you can even find 5.1.4 channel surround sound. With this configuration, you get the standard setup of a 5.1 channel system along with 4 height speakers or roof speakers which are required for supporting Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for even better immersiveness. Similarly, you can even find higher-end multi-channel home theaters with 7.2.4 surround channel systems where you get 7 speakers for front left, front right, surround left, surround right, rear left, rear right, and center channel along with 2 subwoofers and 4 height speakers.
2. Peak Power
Whether you are going with a 5.1 channel surround sound setup or a 7.2.4 channel one, you would want your home theater to be as loud as possible. And if you are in the market for a high performance multi channel home theater system, then you should check its peak power rating. The peak power rating of your multi channel home theater setup will tell you about the maximum power the speakers can output at a time. As for the peak power ratings that you can find, home theaters generally have a total peak power output of up to 800 watts, up to 1000 watts, or even up to 1200 watts where a higher rating is always better if you are looking for something powerful and loud.
3. Driver Size
Even though it is quite important to have a multi channel home theater which is loud and powerful, it will be of no use if it does not sound good. Thus, to ensure that your home theater system offers great audio quality, you should first check its driver size. This is due to the reason that larger driver sizes like 6 inches or 8 inches will offer better audio quality than a smaller driver size like 4 inches or similar. While checking the driver size, you need to check the driver sizes of all the speaker units as well as the subwoofer.
4. Frequency Response
Another factor which affects the audio quality offered by your multi channel home theater system is the frequency response rating. This frequency response rating simply tells you about the audio frequencies your multi channel home theater can produce. As a result, if you want something that sounds great, then you should go with a home theater that has a wide frequency response. For example, a home theater system with a frequency response of 20 Hz to 40000 kHz will sound much better than one with a frequency response of 60 Hz to 18000 kHz.
5. Speaker Type
Since you will be most likely using your multi channel home theaters in your living room, the dimensions and size of your home theater setup also matters a lot. Thus, make sure to check the speaker type used by your multi channel home theater to ensure that you have something practical. For the same, you can find bookshelf speakers, tower speakers, and soundbar speakers. When compared with each other, tower speakers are the largest and soundbars are the most compact. Accordingly, you can pick one of these options which fits your living room the best.
6. Connectivity Options
While the audio quality offered by your multi channel home theaters is certainly quite important to consider, you should also check out its connectivity options to be assured that you are getting something which is versatile enough to be used along with your TV. For starters, almost all multi channel home theaters will come with basic and standard connectivity options like RCA and aux ports. Apart from this, a few modern multi-channel home theaters can even include HDMI and digital audio ports for connecting with modern smart TVs. Speaking of smart TVs, some multi-channel home theaters can even come with Bluetooth support for wireless connectivity. Other than the home theater setup as a whole, you should also consider the connectivity used between the different satellite speakers of your home theater. While traditional units use wired satellite speakers, you can also find a few options with wireless satellites for ease of use.
7. Warranty
Apart from all these factors which can affect the audio quality or the functionality of your multi-channel home theater, you should also check its included warranty. By considering the same, you can be assured that you are going with something which is highly durable and reliable for long term usage. Even though most multi-channel home theaters will include a 1-year warranty, you can also find a few options with either a 3 year long or a 5 year long warranty period. Such home theaters can easily last for a pretty long time with ease.
Conclusion
If you are planning to upgrade the speakers of your TV for a better audio experience, then going with a multi-channel home theater can be a great idea. Thanks to their multiple speaker channels, you get a highly immersive audio experience. And because of this reason, we have already discussed some of the best multi-channel home theaters up above.
Starting with one of the best picks for buyers on a budget, the GPX HT050B happens to be the most affordable option given above. And for the given price, you get a standard 5.1 channel surround sound setup. While this entry-level option does not mention a peak power rating, you do get a 1-year warranty with it which makes it ideal for long term usage. Speaking for long term use, the Klipsch Black Reference home theater is not only the most reliable option given above, but also happens to be the best sounding option. Even though it only has a basic 5.1 channel surround sound setup, you do get an amazing peak power rating of up to 1250 watts. But the best thing about this multi-channel home theater system is that you get a 5-year warranty with it. If budget is not an issue for you, then you can consider the Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite home theater. Despite offering a basic peak power output of up to 800 watts, it comes with a 7.2.4 channel surround sound setup which is the best option given above in terms of surround sound effect. You also get a decent 1-year warranty along with it which is always great to have.
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