How to Choose the Best Home Theater System

Your new home theater just may be the smartest purchase you ever make. And we’re here to help you get it right.

Nothing brings a family together like a great movie, TV show, or playoff game in a cozy home theater. Suddenly, your house is the cool house, and a rainy Saturday night at home is everyone’s first choice.

The good news? There are countless variations – from high-end home theaters worthy of an A-list Hollywood film director to very affordable variations that can fit in a spare bedroom but still knock your socks off. Add all the connectivity options (how home theaters so easily stream content and/or turn every room into a music room), and your home theater becomes an investment in happiness. And WAY more so than a boat or pool.

In this guide, you’ll learn the ins and outs of home theaters. And if you still have questions at the end of it, we’re here to help. So without further ado, let’s dig in.

Home Theater Systems Buying Guide Cheat Sheet

If you read anything, read this.

Only here for the essentials? We made it easy for you. Here are the key things to consider when choosing a home theater system:

• The TV. If you don’t already have a TV to build your home theater around, you’ll need one. If you do already have a TV and it’s not a 4K HDR TV, consider getting a new one because they are extraordinary. Plus, given all the connectivity options built-in, you’ll be set for the future. Today’s new smart TVs are way easier to connect to everything else, whether components, streaming audio, or video, thanks to Wi-Fi built-in, Bluetooth, and so on.
• Your room. Some home theater systems have big speakers, some have small. (Technically, bigger is better when it comes to audio quality, but certain brands offer small and medium-sized speakers that kick serious derrière in spite of their size.) The point: Given your room’s size, design, and style preferences, think about what size speakers you want from a decor perspective, which will also drive your receiver selection. (P.S. Some bigger speakers are seriously attractive, some speakers are very discreet, and some are made to be hidden in walls and ceilings.)
• Streaming devices. An awesome side benefit of getting a home theater? The right home theater receiver can double as a multi-talented hub for streaming just about anything – audio from your computer, phone, or tablet… and from online apps like TIDAL and Spotify. What’s more, if you have wireless speakers in the house, your home theater receiver can tap into those as well, so you can play your music all around the house.
• Ease of set up. If “easy” is your most important choosing criterion, with respect to setting up, go with a home-theater-in-a-box. The upside: a home-theater-in-a-box is a no-brainer – everything’s included and easy to put together. The downside: a home-theater-in-a-box is a little like a TV dinner: it’s all there — turkey, potatoes, gravy, and green beans — zap 5 minutes, and dinner is ready. But if you have the time, nothing beats carefully planned and well-prepared home cooking. (Translation: go with separate components if you can.)
• Or just skip the rest of this and buy one of these here in The Best Home Theater Systems of 2020. Then give yourself a standing-O. You now have what our experts are calling some of the best home theater systems anywhere, at any price.

So, what is a home theater system?

Obviously, a good TV or projector and screen are principal to the experience. But if you think of a home theater system like a Broadway play, then the TV = the stage, and the sound = everything else, from story and actors to music and pageantry. The real magic behind home theater systems is audio, and audio is what you need to get right to create a real home theater system at your house. 

Typically, a home theater system includes the following components:

• A TV or projector and screen.
• A video source. (Like the signal from your cable or dish provider or a Blu-ray player.)
• A home theater receiver. (Where the power and the brains originate. Also what everything connects to.)
• Speakers, including (but not limited to): a center speaker, right and left forward speakers, right and left rear speakers, special effect speakers for Dolby Atmos, and a subwoofer or two.

Now, let’s take a closer look at all the different pieces that make up a home theater system, while lending some advice and giving you pros and cons to each.

Building your home theater system.

Putting the pieces together.

The TV or projector and screen.

A beautiful picture is key to great home theater, and we can’t say it enough: bigger is better. Bottom line: We strongly recommend going with a 4K HDR TV, and if you can afford OLED, even better. (Our TV Buying Guide explains all.)

If you’re dedicating a particular room to a home theater alone, that’s not only really exciting, it means you can go really big with a projector and screen that measures 8 feet or more across for true theater-like imagery. Today’s newest 4K projectors are razor sharp and whisper quiet. Typically, the projector is installed in the ceiling at the rear of the room, and the screen remains stationary or is made to hide away like a motorized window shade. (Sometimes we add automated movie curtains to the mix.)

Shop TVs
Shop projectors and screens

Video sources.

Your favorite shows and movies can come from any number of devices in addition to your set-top box. Blu-ray players and 4K media players give you a gorgeous viewing experience and extremely rich home theater sound, and the same is true with devices like Apple TV and Roku, which connect to the Internet and stream content from an ever-growing list of providers (e.g., Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu). Also, unlike some older TVs, devices like Apple TV and Roku automatically update themselves whenever new apps, games, and/or shows become available.

Shop Blu-ray players + media players 

Now on to audio…

Home theater speakers.

When it comes to audio, it makes sense to choose your speakers first, because your speaker choice helps determine your receiver choice. Big speakers need big power, little speakers need less power, that sort of thing. Also, more speakers means you’ll need more channels on your receiver. And for the most immersive sound possible, you may want to consider adding the latest in home theater technology: Dolby Atmos. (We’ll get into Dolby Atmos in a moment, but we mention it here because a Dolby Atmos system requires a few more speakers.)

How many speakers will you need?

That depends. Again, more is always better when it comes to sound, and there are literally dozens of speaker combinations that can create true home theater sound. The traditional home theater includes 5 speakers: a center speaker, a left and a right speaker, two rear left and right speakers, and, of course, a subwoofer. A typical setup looks like this:

The center speaker, which is where most dialog comes from, should be centered just below the TV. (Though some in-wall center speakers live above the TV.) The left speaker goes to the left, and the right to the right. The two rear speakers are placed or installed at the rear of the room, behind the viewing audience. Typically, the left and right forward speakers are bigger than the left and right rear speakers.

What do the channels mean?

There’s 5.1, and 7.1, and 11.2, and 5.1.2 and so on. What’s that all about? If you think of channels as speakers, the first number (the 7 in a 7.1 system for example) = the number of speakers, or seven speakers in this example. The .1 refers to whether the system has a subwoofer or not, so the .1 in a 7.1 system = one subwoofer. The last number, for example the .2 in a 5.1.2 system = how many Dolby Atmos speakers are in the set-up. So a 5.1.2 home theater means 5 speakers, 1 subwoofer, and 2 Dolby Atmos speakers.

Like we said above: think of channels as speakers. And though most music formats only require two channels (left and right), the sky’s the limit for true home theater surround sound. In a nutshell: The more channels you have, the more more speakers you can add. And the more speakers you add, the better and more immersive the sound.

At a very minimum, you’re going to want 5 channels… but we highly, highly (that’s two highlys) recommend getting at least 7. With 7 channels, you will experience – at home – the same thing you do in today’s state-of-the-art digital cinemas: big, thrilling, hang-on-tight, theater sound.

Let’s break down benefits by channels:

 • A good old stereo system is now referred to as 2.0 (Two channels, two speakers).

 •  Add a subwoofer for impactful bass, and now you have 2.1. The “2” refers to the two front speakers, and the subwoofer is the “.1”.

 • Add a center channel speaker, so the dialog always seems to come from the center of the screen (especially important if you sit a little to the side) and we have “3.1”.

 •  Add two more speakers near the back of the room for wrap-around surround sound, and we’re at “5.1”. (5.1 was the surround sound standard up until a few years ago, when things started getting crazy good.)

 •  Larger rooms, especially where your sofa is a distance from the back wall, may call for side and rear surround speakers, which takes us to “7.1”.

 • The coup de grâce, and the latest thing: Dolby Atmos, where we place 2 or more speakers in the ceiling. Now we’re talking actual 3D sound, where any sound can hover at any point in space. To recap: a “7.2.1” system has three speakers in front, two on the sides, two in the rear of the room, and a pair in the ceiling. Plus the subwoofer, which is typically in the back, but can go anywhere.

Big speakers or little speakers?

Ten to 20 years ago, most of our home theater customers were buying smaller speakers. These days, it’s all about audio quality – big, authentic cinema sound by way of big floorstanding speakers, as opposed to bookshelf or in-wall speakers. Typically we say bigger is better, but either way, it’s all about your personal preferences and room decor.

Caveat: The two front left and right speakers are the most important. They provide the bulk of the “punch” that comes from music and sound effects. Also, it’s important, but not crucial, that all of the speakers match tonally. Going with the same manufacturer and series usually covers this.

The most basic speaker setup.

It all starts with a pair of speakers: a left and a right, on either side of the TV. This is a 2.0 system, or a 2-channel setup; what we all call “stereo”. This is the music-listening standard for years. These can be bookshelf speakers, floorstanders, or in-wall and in-ceiling speakers depending on the space available and the level of effort you want to put into the installation.

To be clear: A 2.0 system with two half-decent speakers is still a massive improvement over the speaker that came with your TV. (Today’s extremely thin TVs have extremely thin speakers inside, and thin speakers are tinny and distort easily.) But a 2.0 system is not, technically, home theater. For true home theater sound, you need a minimum of 3 speakers (left, right, and center). For true surround sound, a minimum of five (left, right, center, and two rear.)

Shop home speakers

Home Theater Systems Buying Guide Cheat Sheet

If you read anything, read this.

Only here for the essentials? We made it easy for you. Here are the key things to consider when choosing a home theater system:

• The TV. If you don’t already have a TV to build your home theater around, you’ll need one. If you do already have a TV and it’s not a 4K HDR TV, consider getting a new one because they are extraordinary. Plus, given all the connectivity options built-in, you’ll be set for the future. Today’s new smart TVs are way easier to connect to everything else, whether components, streaming audio, or video, thanks to Wi-Fi built-in, Bluetooth, and so on.
• Your room. Some home theater systems have big speakers, some have small. (Technically, bigger is better when it comes to audio quality, but certain brands offer small and medium-sized speakers that kick serious derrière in spite of their size.) The point: Given your room’s size, design, and style preferences, think about what size speakers you want from a decor perspective, which will also drive your receiver selection. (P.S. Some bigger speakers are seriously attractive, some speakers are very discreet, and some are made to be hidden in walls and ceilings.)
• Streaming devices. An awesome side benefit of getting a home theater? The right home theater receiver can double as a multi-talented hub for streaming just about anything – audio from your computer, phone, or tablet… and from online apps like TIDAL and Spotify. What’s more, if you have wireless speakers in the house, your home theater receiver can tap into those as well, so you can play your music all around the house.
• Ease of set up. If “easy” is your most important choosing criterion, with respect to setting up, go with a home-theater-in-a-box. The upside: a home-theater-in-a-box is a no-brainer – everything’s included and easy to put together. The downside: a home-theater-in-a-box is a little like a TV dinner: it’s all there — turkey, potatoes, gravy, and green beans — zap 5 minutes, and dinner is ready. But if you have the time, nothing beats carefully planned and well-prepared home cooking. (Translation: go with separate components if you can.)
• Or just skip the rest of this and buy one of these here in The Best Home Theater Systems of 2020. Then give yourself a standing-O. You now have what our experts are calling some of the best home theater systems anywhere, at any price.

So, what is a home theater system?

Obviously, a good TV or projector and screen are principal to the experience. But if you think of a home theater system like a Broadway play, then the TV = the stage, and the sound = everything else, from story and actors to music and pageantry. The real magic behind home theater systems is audio, and audio is what you need to get right to create a real home theater system at your house. 

Typically, a home theater system includes the following components:

• A TV or projector and screen.
• A video source. (Like the signal from your cable or dish provider or a Blu-ray player.)
• A home theater receiver. (Where the power and the brains originate. Also what everything connects to.)
• Speakers, including (but not limited to): a center speaker, right and left forward speakers, right and left rear speakers, special effect speakers for Dolby Atmos, and a subwoofer or two.

Now, let’s take a closer look at all the different pieces that make up a home theater system, while lending some advice and giving you pros and cons to each.

Building your home theater system.

Putting the pieces together.

The TV or projector and screen.

A beautiful picture is key to great home theater, and we can’t say it enough: bigger is better. Bottom line: We strongly recommend going with a 4K HDR TV, and if you can afford OLED, even better. (Our TV Buying Guide explains all.)

If you’re dedicating a particular room to a home theater alone, that’s not only really exciting, it means you can go really big with a projector and screen that measures 8 feet or more across for true theater-like imagery. Today’s newest 4K projectors are razor sharp and whisper quiet. Typically, the projector is installed in the ceiling at the rear of the room, and the screen remains stationary or is made to hide away like a motorized window shade. (Sometimes we add automated movie curtains to the mix.)

Shop TVs
Shop projectors and screens

Video sources.

Your favorite shows and movies can come from any number of devices in addition to your set-top box. Blu-ray players and 4K media players give you a gorgeous viewing experience and extremely rich home theater sound, and the same is true with devices like Apple TV and Roku, which connect to the Internet and stream content from an ever-growing list of providers (e.g., Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu). Also, unlike some older TVs, devices like Apple TV and Roku automatically update themselves whenever new apps, games, and/or shows become available.

Shop Blu-ray players + media players 

Now on to audio…

Home theater speakers.

When it comes to audio, it makes sense to choose your speakers first, because your speaker choice helps determine your receiver choice. Big speakers need big power, little speakers need less power, that sort of thing. Also, more speakers means you’ll need more channels on your receiver. And for the most immersive sound possible, you may want to consider adding the latest in home theater technology: Dolby Atmos. (We’ll get into Dolby Atmos in a moment, but we mention it here because a Dolby Atmos system requires a few more speakers.)

How many speakers will you need?

That depends. Again, more is always better when it comes to sound, and there are literally dozens of speaker combinations that can create true home theater sound. The traditional home theater includes 5 speakers: a center speaker, a left and a right speaker, two rear left and right speakers, and, of course, a subwoofer. A typical setup looks like this:

The center speaker, which is where most dialog comes from, should be centered just below the TV. (Though some in-wall center speakers live above the TV.) The left speaker goes to the left, and the right to the right. The two rear speakers are placed or installed at the rear of the room, behind the viewing audience. Typically, the left and right forward speakers are bigger than the left and right rear speakers.

What do the channels mean?

There’s 5.1, and 7.1, and 11.2, and 5.1.2 and so on. What’s that all about? If you think of channels as speakers, the first number (the 7 in a 7.1 system for example) = the number of speakers, or seven speakers in this example. The .1 refers to whether the system has a subwoofer or not, so the .1 in a 7.1 system = one subwoofer. The last number, for example the .2 in a 5.1.2 system = how many Dolby Atmos speakers are in the set-up. So a 5.1.2 home theater means 5 speakers, 1 subwoofer, and 2 Dolby Atmos speakers.

Like we said above: think of channels as speakers. And though most music formats only require two channels (left and right), the sky’s the limit for true home theater surround sound. In a nutshell: The more channels you have, the more more speakers you can add. And the more speakers you add, the better and more immersive the sound.

At a very minimum, you’re going to want 5 channels… but we highly, highly (that’s two highlys) recommend getting at least 7. With 7 channels, you will experience – at home – the same thing you do in today’s state-of-the-art digital cinemas: big, thrilling, hang-on-tight, theater sound.

Let’s break down benefits by channels:

 • A good old stereo system is now referred to as 2.0 (Two channels, two speakers).

 •  Add a subwoofer for impactful bass, and now you have 2.1. The “2” refers to the two front speakers, and the subwoofer is the “.1”.

 • Add a center channel speaker, so the dialog always seems to come from the center of the screen (especially important if you sit a little to the side) and we have “3.1”.

 •  Add two more speakers near the back of the room for wrap-around surround sound, and we’re at “5.1”. (5.1 was the surround sound standard up until a few years ago, when things started getting crazy good.)

 •  Larger rooms, especially where your sofa is a distance from the back wall, may call for side and rear surround speakers, which takes us to “7.1”.

 • The coup de grâce, and the latest thing: Dolby Atmos, where we place 2 or more speakers in the ceiling. Now we’re talking actual 3D sound, where any sound can hover at any point in space. To recap: a “7.2.1” system has three speakers in front, two on the sides, two in the rear of the room, and a pair in the ceiling. Plus the subwoofer, which is typically in the back, but can go anywhere.

Big speakers or little speakers?

Ten to 20 years ago, most of our home theater customers were buying smaller speakers. These days, it’s all about audio quality – big, authentic cinema sound by way of big floorstanding speakers, as opposed to bookshelf or in-wall speakers. Typically we say bigger is better, but either way, it’s all about your personal preferences and room decor.

Caveat: The two front left and right speakers are the most important. They provide the bulk of the “punch” that comes from music and sound effects. Also, it’s important, but not crucial, that all of the speakers match tonally. Going with the same manufacturer and series usually covers this.

The most basic speaker setup.

It all starts with a pair of speakers: a left and a right, on either side of the TV. This is a 2.0 system, or a 2-channel setup; what we all call “stereo”. This is the music-listening standard for years. These can be bookshelf speakers, floorstanders, or in-wall and in-ceiling speakers depending on the space available and the level of effort you want to put into the installation.

To be clear: A 2.0 system with two half-decent speakers is still a massive improvement over the speaker that came with your TV. (Today’s extremely thin TVs have extremely thin speakers inside, and thin speakers are tinny and distort easily.) But a 2.0 system is not, technically, home theater. For true home theater sound, you need a minimum of 3 speakers (left, right, and center). For true surround sound, a minimum of five (left, right, center, and two rear.)

Shop home speakers