A Guide To Wireless Home Theater Sound Systems

What to look for when Buying a Wireless Sound Bar and Speakers

There are numerous aspects to think about when searching for the perfect wireless sound bar or sound system for your needs. We've listed a few aspects below.

Connectivityfirst, figure out the features your TV can support and then think about the other devices you'll want to connect, like gaming consoles. Ports are important, and this is where having multiple inputs can come in handy. While it is nice to have, there could be a huge distinction in sound quality based on what you use to connect to.

Optical and HDMI are the most common, but HDMI Arc is able to transmit audio either way which means you'll be able to connect your devices to your TV and still have the audio come out through your sound system.

The Audio Format is essential to ensure that all devices are compatible with identical audio formats before you plugin. Dolby Atmos as well as DTSX are the two most commonly used high-res formats available today. While HDMI Arc can't transmit high-res signals similar to Dolby Atmos and DTSX (yet), there's a brand new format that's been appearing that could. It's called "eArc," and it's getting more and more popular on the latest models. It's dependent on your system and sound bar the high-end formats are able to read information encoded in movies and games, allowing you to immerse yourself in authentic surround sound even using just the sound bar.

WiFi: To reduce the number of cables, the majority of systems have wireless options such as Bluetooth as well as WiFi (or either). It's not just for the sake of getting rid of messy and tangled wires or having to drill holes in your walls to install speakers. Connectivity to WiFi can also mean synchronizing with voice control services such as Airplay, Chromecast as well, of the course, adding additional speakers. The synchronization process with the other smart devices in your home can be easy too since some devices can connect with Amazon Alexa.

While extras are nice, it's best not to lose your focus, and ears, on the prize: sound quality. We've picked these five different sets to give everyone a an opportunity to improve their sound.

1. JBL Bar 5.1 4K Ultra HD Sound Bar

The JBL Bar 5. 1 has been around since 2016, and while it's not the most up-to-date features, it's a an excellent value for the price of 200 dollars. The Bar 5.1 has four full-range driversthat can cover any size room and an additional subwoofer for an extra bass. There are no fancy extras, but if you're looking for something simple, this might do the trick.

2. Nakamichi 9.2.4 Channel Sound Bar

It's a beast. The setup includes 9.2.4 channels: The sound bar and four two-way surround sound speakers and, not just one but two subwoofers that are 10 inches in diameter.

The bar itself is 45 inches in width, and has eight speaker drivers (including the two tweeters that fire from side to side) and is able to receive Dolby Atmos and DTSX streaming from apps like Netflix. The three advanced audio processing engines improve the surround effect and allow you to see the unique details in every audio mix.

This is a total house shaker of a system that lets you connect six devices and comes with a 52-button wireless remote to give you complete control of pretty much everything.

Amazon Buy: Nakamichi 9.2.4 Channel Sound Bar at $1,399.99

3. Sony HT-G700 Sound Bar

With 38.6 inches At 38.6 inches wide, the Sony is compact enough to fit in smaller spaces. The bar is able to handle highs and mids, while the subwoofer included in the package delivers a nice full bass.

Sony's "Vertical Sound Engine" surround sound system is integrated and does a great job of simulating audio from every direction, making it sound more powerful as it splits the channels further than a singular sound bar would normally do.

The remote's capabilities cover the essentials, but they also provide easily selectable sound settings depending on the type of show you're watching like news, sports, and cinema. There's also the Night mode, which reduces its dynamic spectrum of Dolby digital signals. Dolby digital signal, resulting in higher quality sound at lower volumes.

Amazon Purchase: Sony HT-G700 Sound Bar priced at $598.00

4. The Sonos Beam smart TV sound bar

Sonos has been making amazing sound bars for many years and their latest model is no exception. The Beam is designed to be compatible with all TVs which includes built-in soundbars. It is wirelessly connected and has four speakers that are connected directly to the back of your TV. There's also an integrated subwoofer. You can adjust volume levels by using the remote on your own, and then the entire system will automatically sync with your Sonos speaker system.

The Beam works alongside Sonos its own streaming music service, which gives access to over 50 million music tracks.

The installation is as easy simply as connecting it to the TV, and the app instructions take care of the rest. It's also light enough for you to move around the room and can even be mounted in the walls.

Amazon Buys: Sonos Beam Smart TV Sound Bar at $469.99

5. Samsung HW-T650 Sound Bar

For one of the most immersive experiences with a sound bar Samsung's sound bar makes use of Dolby Audio, as well as DTS Virtual:X to turn your living room into a theater. Sound quality that is powerful and 3D surround and a central channel for high-quality dialogue make it feel like you're part of the theater.

Connect your TV to it via Bluetooth to make it completely wireless and, with multi-connection, you are able to seamlessly change between devices. We are awestruck by the intelligent sound system on this model and, regardless of whether you're watching a raucous sport event or a tense drama, it'll automatically optimize the audio settings. Gamers will also appreciate the optimized, directional sound from the dedicated "Game Mode".

This 38.6-inch speaker will give you the full bass sound thanks to its wireless subwoofer. there are no HDMI cables are required.

Amazon Buy: Samsung HW-T650 Sound Bar priced at $279.00

1 tracks. The bass is quick, precise, and dynamic. That additional subwoofer actually makes a distinction and improves the realism. We were not impressed by height effects but, to be sincere, we didn't truly expect them to be incredibly immersive or accurate. best wireless surround sound system 2021. After all, the soundbar only imitates height effects.

Its combined power output is 1,000 W - best sound system for home theater. The system is priced under $1,300 which is not cheap however can be considered rather affordable thinking about the efficiency and the amount of realism it provides. This is, by far, the most amazing cordless surround sound system at this price point. Because Ultra 9.

All In One Home Cinema - Sony

Best Surround Sound Systems 2021 - What Hi-fi?

2.4, these 2 systems have the very same inputs, the exact same functions, and they support the very same surround sound formats. We are simply going to list all the features and focus our attention on the differences. If you wish to discover out more about the functions, read our review about Elite 7 (best sound system for home theater).

The setup is practically the exact same. The calibration tool does not exist, however there're suggested speaker layouts for different space sizes in the user manual. You have 2 additional speakers (rear surround speakers) and you are supposed to connect them to the left and ideal subwoofer. best wireless sound system for tv. The list of supported DSP sound modes is likewise the same.

6 Best Surround Sound Systems With Wireless Rear Speakers

Ultra 9. 2.4 also has Night mode with decreased bass and Clear Voice mode for better intelligibility. The list of supported surround sound formats is also the exact same. Ultra 9. 2.4 can decode any Dolby Digital or DTS surround audio track, including object-based DTS: X and Dolby Atmos. The remote has some minor changes when it comes to button design but all the buttons are still there and the remote is still one of the biggest highlights.

18 Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems In 2021

The types of Wireless Surround Sound Systems

Systems for surround-sound wireless are categorized into two main kinds based on how they get data: Bluetooth and WiFi.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth Wireless surround-sound speakers are the first of their kind to come onto the market. But, since Bluetooth must compress audio data prior to transmitting it, the quality of this technology is a bit shaky.

While they aren't the best in the quality category, Bluetooth systems are easier to install, cheaper and are more widespread, allowing this wireless surround system to function with virtually every electronic device.

WiFi

WiFi surround sound systems wireless are newer to the market than Bluetooth technology, and you might encounter issues when connecting a device that doesn't have WiFi connectivity. However, most Bluetooth-enabled devices come with their own apps that users can access via WiFi. This is a more complex method of pairing your device, however the advantages of WiFi might make it worth the effort.

WiFi wireless surround sound systems cost more than Bluetooth However, they're superior in most ways. Sound quality can be definitely better when using WiFi since the information does not require being compressed prior to transmission, in addition, WiFi connections are far more robust than Bluetooth. WiFi surround sound systems that are wireless also offer a better coverage than Bluetooth systems, making them suitable for larger spaces.

Audio Quality

The quality of sound for a wireless surround sound system is determined by a range of technical specifications, including frequency response as well as rated output power RMS, signal-to-noise ratio, and Total Harmonic Distortion that combine to form a unique audio experience. But, unless you've spent long hours studying the audio industry, most of these specifications are difficult to comprehend or completely meaningless.

To make it easier to understand, audio quality can be easily divided between Bluetooth or WiFi.

Bluetooth wireless surround sound systems have a lower quality sound because Bluetooth technology requires audio data to be compressed prior to it being able to be transmitted. This data compression decreases the audio quality, so even if the speakers you use are capable of producing excellent sound quality, the transmission method will reduce their overall ability.

Wireless surround sound systems that are wireless don't have the same restraint on their transmissions, allowing the data in audio to be transmitted in its original format and size, preserving the quality of the audio.

But, with any wireless surround sound system, the quality of sound is dependent on your perception.

This system completely deserves our suggestion. Well, we can only duplicate the exact same things we've discussed in the Elite 7. 2.4 review. There's no auto-calibration tool. There are some advised speaker designs in the user handbook and you should try to follow them. Likewise, there's the space size button on the remote that will permit you to select between small, medium, and large room.

These Are The Very Best Wireless Soundbars - Input Mag

The remote is really great and provides you a lot control over the system however it would not harm to have a backup alternative. Sonos is among the leaders in the cordless audio industry (best wireless home theater system reddit). This is one of the very first companies that came up with the concept of cordless (wi-fi) audio devices and brought that idea to truth.

They made a soundbar called PLAYBAR first and, after that, they decided to combine it with a few of their other items. There is a lot of possible mixes you can integrate one PLAYBAR (or PLAYBASE, which is SONOS cordless noise base) with SONOS subwoofer (just called SUB) and 2 speakers (either PLAY:1, PLAY:2, or PLAY:3) and make your own 5.

Best Home Theater Systems Of 2021 - The Master Switch

FAQs regarding Wireless Sound Systems

Q. Do surround sound systems with wireless surround equivalent to wired surround sound systems?

Wireless surround sound systems can match the high-quality wired models , and allow you the freedom to place your speakers without connecting back to the main system. If you decide to invest in a low-quality Wireless surround system there's the chance that microwaves, smartphones, and other technologies in your home could create interference and reduce the sound quality.

Source: bobvila.com

Q. How do Wireless Home Theater Speakers work?

Klipsch Director of Innovation and Technology Matt Spitznagle states that the difference between wired and wireless devices is pretty easy to understand. "You no longer need to run wires from a receiver or amplifier to your speakers," Spitznagle says. "We put the amplifiers in our speakers. This reduced the size of components needed for a system to function.

Source: klipsch.com

Q. Can I make use of Bluetooth to enhance surround sound?

It's not feasible at the moment. Surround speakers are a particular part of a film or TV show's soundtrack and Bluetooth does not have the bandwidth to handle the extra information. You can use them to boost stereo sound but that's about it.

Source: crutchfield.com

Q. How can I connect my TV to an audio system that is wireless?

Systems with surround-sound wireless need to be connected to compatible audio outputs on your TV. Most systems can connect through HDMI Audio Return Channel (HDMI ARC). HDMI Audio Return Channel (HDMI ARC). You can also connect with an optical TOSLINK connection or coaxial connection if it is not possible. However, you cannot establish the system with the audio output of analog on your television because it is not compatible with surround sound capabilities.

Source: bobvila.com

Q. Are They Worth It?

According to us, the main reason to buy an audio system that is wireless is for convenience. If you have no idea how to install your system, and how to hide the longest cables, buying an electronic system is an option.

However, be aware that you'll need to spend more. The cheapest systems (those less than $500) provide decent sound quality, but they typically consist of a sound bar and a wireless subwoofer which is why they are only able to simulate surround sound. They aren't able to provide that full cinema-like surround sound.

The higher-end models, in particular those with two additional wireless surround systems provide a superior surround sound experience.

Whether they are worth the cost or not is dependent on two factors the ability of your team to deal with cables and your budget.

So, if you don't want to invest many hours (or perhaps days) installing wiring in your house, and you are able to afford up to $500 for a wireless system, there are some excellent wireless surround sound systems (JBL Bar 5.1, Nakamichi Shockwafe, Enclave Audio, SONOS, Harman Kardon Citation, etc. ).

If that's the case then audio systems with wireless surround are definitely worth the cost.

The very best thing is that you do not have to buy all these speakers simultaneously and splash more than $1,500. You can begin with the PLAYBAR (which is the primary unit and the one that connects wirelessly to other speakers) and then make upgrades. We have actually chosen to provide to you the combination PLAYBAR + SUB + 2x, PLAY:1 but you can make your own combination (purchase PLAYBASE instead of PLAYBAR, PLAY:3 or PLAY:5 rather of PLAY1).