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10 Best Surround Sound Systems 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Samsung Q990F 11.1.4ch Q Series Subwoofer + Rear Speaker, Wireless Dolby Atmos, Q-Symphony, Game Mode Pro, Adaptive Sound (HW-Q990F, 2025)

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,291
Supported Audio Formats
Number of Channels
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
1066 reviews

Supported Audio Formats
Sound quality for movies in TrueHD and Atmos is impressive, with well-handled contrast between quiet and loud scenes, making action sequences feel impactful and clear.
Number of Channels
While the system excels in surround sound, it doesn’t quite match the expansive soundstage and imaging of large tower speaker setups for two-channel music.
Speaker Type and Size
The wireless subwoofer provides surprisingly good bass for its compact size, delivering solid LFE thunder without overwhelming the room.
Wireless vs Wired
The wireless subwoofer provides surprisingly good bass for its compact size, delivering solid LFE thunder without overwhelming the room.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
The remote control is user-friendly, but many users find it unnecessary once the system is paired with a Samsung TV due to automatic syncing features.

The Samsung Q990F is a powerful surround sound system designed to deliver a rich, immersive audio experience, especially suited for home theater and gaming enthusiasts. It features an 11.1.4 channel setup, meaning it has 11 main speakers, 1 subwoofer, and 4 upward-firing speakers that create 3D sound effects from all directions, including overhead. The 8-inch wireless subwoofer adds deep bass without cluttering your room with cables. This system supports Dolby Atmos, enhancing the sense of space and movement in movies and games. It also uses Samsung’s Q-Symphony technology, which syncs the soundbar with compatible Samsung TVs to produce more detailed and dynamic sound. The soundbar automatically calibrates audio to fit your room using a built-in microphone, so you get clear dialogue and balanced bass wherever it’s placed.

Connectivity is versatile, offering Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and HDMI options, plus voice assistant integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it easy to control and stream music from smartphones or tablets. With a powerful 756-watt output, this soundbar is loud and clear enough for lively parties or immersive movie nights. On the downside, at nearly 42 pounds and almost 5 feet wide, it’s a sizable unit that requires enough space and a wall or stand for setup. Also, while wireless subwoofer connectivity reduces cable clutter, the main soundbar still needs to be plugged in.

The Samsung Q990F is an excellent choice if you want a feature-rich surround sound system that fills the room with cinematic audio and works seamlessly with Samsung TVs. However, it may be more than needed for casual listeners or small spaces.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,291
Supported Audio Formats
Number of Channels
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
1066 reviews

Supported Audio Formats
Sound quality for movies in TrueHD and Atmos is impressive, with well-handled contrast between quiet and loud scenes, making action sequences feel impactful and clear.
Number of Channels
While the system excels in surround sound, it doesn’t quite match the expansive soundstage and imaging of large tower speaker setups for two-channel music.
Speaker Type and Size
The wireless subwoofer provides surprisingly good bass for its compact size, delivering solid LFE thunder without overwhelming the room.
Wireless vs Wired
The wireless subwoofer provides surprisingly good bass for its compact size, delivering solid LFE thunder without overwhelming the room.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
The remote control is user-friendly, but many users find it unnecessary once the system is paired with a Samsung TV due to automatic syncing features.
#2

SAMSUNG Q990D 11.1.4ch Soundbar w/Wireless Dolby Atmos Audio, Rear Speaker Included, Q-Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro with Alexa Built-in, HW-Q990D/ZA

Rating
9.7
Wireless vs Wired
Number of Channels
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
1066 reviews

Wireless vs Wired
The wireless rear speakers and upward-firing drivers create a convincing surround sound atmosphere that fills the room effectively.
Number of Channels
While the soundbar excels in movies and Atmos content, two-channel music soundstage and imaging are good but not as expansive as larger tower speaker setups.
Speaker Type and Size
The soundbar’s bass is surprisingly powerful and crisp for its compact subwoofer size, adding impactful low frequencies without muddiness.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
Works seamlessly with universal remotes and integrates well with various devices, providing user-friendly control.

The Samsung Q990D soundbar is a robust choice for home theater enthusiasts seeking immersive surround sound without the hassle of many wires. It features an impressive 11.1.4 channel setup—meaning 11 front and side speakers, one subwoofer, and four upward-firing speakers that create true Dolby Atmos 3D audio. This setup is enhanced by included wireless rear speakers that fire sound up and to the sides, filling your room with layered, directional sound. The wireless design helps reduce cable clutter, making setup cleaner and more flexible.

Samsung’s Q-Symphony technology lets this soundbar work in harmony with compatible Samsung TVs, combining both TV and soundbar speakers for richer sound. It also boasts smart features like built-in Alexa, Chromecast, and AirPlay 2, allowing easy control and streaming from your favorite devices. Samsung’s SpaceFit Sound Pro automatically adjusts sound to your room’s acoustics, and Adaptive Sound helps emphasize dialogue so you don’t miss important lines, even at low volume. For gamers, Game Mode Pro delivers 3D optimized sound that syncs with your TV for an immersive experience.

This soundbar is relatively large and heavy (over 50 pounds), which may require sturdy mounting or furniture space. While many features focus on wireless connectivity, it still requires power cables, and it’s designed primarily for indoor use with no water resistance. Some users might find the price on the higher side, reflecting its premium positioning. For those seeking a top-tier, easy-to-use surround sound system with smart integrations and powerful Atmos performance, the Q990D is a strong option, especially when paired with a Samsung TV to maximize the Q-Symphony feature.

Rating
9.7
Wireless vs Wired
Number of Channels
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
1066 reviews

Wireless vs Wired
The wireless rear speakers and upward-firing drivers create a convincing surround sound atmosphere that fills the room effectively.
Number of Channels
While the soundbar excels in movies and Atmos content, two-channel music soundstage and imaging are good but not as expansive as larger tower speaker setups.
Speaker Type and Size
The soundbar’s bass is surprisingly powerful and crisp for its compact subwoofer size, adding impactful low frequencies without muddiness.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
Works seamlessly with universal remotes and integrates well with various devices, providing user-friendly control.
#3

Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad Home Theater Surround Sound System and SA-SW5 Wireless Subwoofer

Rating
9.4
Number of Channels
Wireless vs Wired
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
361 reviews

Number of Channels
The phantom center channel imaging works perfectly, delivering clear front sound without needing a physical center speaker.
Wireless vs Wired
Setup is straightforward and quick, with seamless wireless speaker recognition and easy app control, making it much simpler than traditional multi-speaker systems.
Speaker Type and Size
The speakers feel solid and high quality, not cheap or tinny, contributing to a premium overall experience.
Supported Audio Formats
360 Spatial Sound Mapping enhances both movies and music, providing a wide front soundstage and immersive surround effects without overwhelming rear fill.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
Volume levels are sufficient for smaller rooms, but might be less powerful in larger open spaces with higher ceilings.

The Sony BRAVIA Theater Quad is a 4.1 channel surround sound system featuring 16 total speakers, including four wireless units, designed to deliver immersive sound with support for advanced audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. This setup enhances the home theater experience by using 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, which helps create a more realistic and enveloping audio environment. The included SA-SW5 wireless subwoofer is a strong point, adding 300 watts of power and 5.25-inch woofer size to boost bass impact without messy cables, thanks to its Bluetooth connection.

The system is versatile and compatible with various devices like smartphones, tablets, TVs, and laptops, controlled easily via an app. However, it is a tabletop mount system and may not suit users looking for floor-standing speakers or more extensive channel configurations. Also, while it offers solid power and sound clarity, the wireless range is limited to about 10 meters, which could restrict placement options in larger rooms.

This makes it a great choice for those wanting a premium, easy-to-set-up surround sound system focused on cinematic sound quality without complex wiring, though serious audiophiles or users needing waterproof or outdoor setups might want to look elsewhere.

Rating
9.4
Number of Channels
Wireless vs Wired
Speaker Type and Size

Most important from
361 reviews

Number of Channels
The phantom center channel imaging works perfectly, delivering clear front sound without needing a physical center speaker.
Wireless vs Wired
Setup is straightforward and quick, with seamless wireless speaker recognition and easy app control, making it much simpler than traditional multi-speaker systems.
Speaker Type and Size
The speakers feel solid and high quality, not cheap or tinny, contributing to a premium overall experience.
Supported Audio Formats
360 Spatial Sound Mapping enhances both movies and music, providing a wide front soundstage and immersive surround effects without overwhelming rear fill.
Amplifier Power and Receiver Features
Volume levels are sufficient for smaller rooms, but might be less powerful in larger open spaces with higher ceilings.

Buying Guide for the Best Surround Sound Systems

Choosing a surround sound system can greatly enhance your movie nights, gaming sessions, or music listening experience by providing immersive, multi-directional audio. Picking the right system involves understanding your room, your personal needs, and the system’s features. Before shopping, consider the size of your room and how much space you’re willing to dedicate to speakers and equipment. Also, think about what you will mostly use your system for, such as watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, since different setups can perform better for different tasks. Understanding the key specifications can help you find a system that best fits your lifestyle and preferences.
Number of ChannelsThis refers to how many separate audio outputs the system has for surrounding you with sound. Common setups include 5.1 (five speakers and one subwoofer), 7.1, and even higher channel counts. More channels create more precise and enveloping sound but also require more physical space and setup. For a small to medium room and general use, 5.1 is often sufficient, offering a solid surround experience. If you have a larger space or want the most immersive experience for movies and games, you might want 7.1 or more. Think about the physical size of your room, where you can place speakers, and how 'cinematic' you want the experience to feel when selecting the channel count.
Speaker Type and SizeSurround systems come with different sizes and styles of speakers, such as bookshelf, floor-standing, satellite, or in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. Larger speakers generally deliver louder and deeper sound, while smaller ones are more discreet and easier to place. If space and aesthetics are important, compact satellite speakers or in-wall speakers are a good choice, but for more powerful sound, especially in larger rooms or for music listening, bigger floor-standing or bookshelf speakers can be better. Consider how much space you have, whether you prefer your speakers to be visible or hidden, and what fits in with your room décor.
Wireless vs WiredSome systems connect all speakers with physical wires, while others use wireless links for some or all speakers. Wired systems can offer more reliability and consistent audio quality, but setting them up can be more complex, and you’ll have cables running across your room. Wireless systems make setup simpler and look tidier, especially in rooms where running wires is difficult, but they might occasionally have signal dropouts. Think about your willingness to run wires, the layout of your room, and your need for flexibility or ease of setup when choosing between wired and wireless.
Supported Audio FormatsSurround sound systems decode audio formats like Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Atmos, or DTS:X. Standard formats (like Dolby Digital and DTS) are widespread and provide solid surround sound. Newer formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X add ‘height channels’ for 3D sound effects, making audio even more immersive. To decide which formats you need, consider what kind of movies, games, or streaming services you’ll use most; if you want the latest, most immersive sound and your content supports it, look for systems with Atmos or DTS:X support. Otherwise, standard surround decoding is enough for most users.
Amplifier Power and Receiver FeaturesThe amplifier, usually inside an AV receiver, supplies power to your speakers and interprets audio signals. Power is measured in watts per channel and affects how loud and clear your sound can get, especially at higher volumes. For smaller rooms or casual use, moderate power is plenty, while large rooms or high-volume listening will need more. Also, check the receiver's features, like HDMI inputs, Bluetooth, streaming support, and calibration tools, to make sure it’s compatible with your other devices and fits your usage style. Prioritize features that match how you plan to connect your TV, gaming console, or music devices.

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