Every good home theater starts with two fundamentals: the largest and sharpest screen possible, and high-quality surround sound to accurately reproduce the multi-channel soundtracks of modern films and digital entertainment. For years, that meant doing some extensive (and, sometimes, expensive) wiring for at least five separate speakers plus a subwoofer.
If you want the absolute best sound possible, thereâs still no way around doing that work. But if you are willing to settle for very good, then you now have another option: a wireless surround system. And keep in mind that the definition of very good here might include âbetter than you have ever heard before.â
Most wireless systems wonât be completely wireless; they will often connect from the sound bar or subwoofer to at least a couple of the speakers. Still, itâs a lot more convenient than trying to tuck 50 feet of speaker cable into the walls or under the carpet. Depending on your budget, space, and priorities, a wireless surround system could be just the ticket to make your movie nights a little more immersive. Hereâs what to look for while shopping.
Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems
- (Video) Best Wireless Surround Sound System 2022 | Best Wireless Surround Sound Speakers
Best for Future Flexibility
Polk Audio React System
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Best for Enhancing Older Films
Sony HT-Z9F
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What to Consider
5.1 or more?
The traditional surround-sound specification calls for five full-range speakers: one center channel, left and right up front, plus left and right speakers mounted on either side of your listening area. Whether branded Dolby, DTS, or something else, this is a 5.1 system, with the âpoint oneâ referring to a separate channel for a subwoofer. The âsubâ is how you get all the earth-shaking booms and rumbles from superhero movies and car crashes.
Most people will be satisfied with 5.1, but itâs possible to add two more speakers behind the listeners for a 7.1 setup. Add a second subwoofer, and youâre at 7.2. Want ceiling speakers? Thatâs 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 depending on how many you add. Keep in mind, however, that most movies and media wonât be able to take advantage of the extra channels beyond 5.1, so in most cases the sound you will hear through the extra speakers will be digitally extracted and modified from the 5.1 soundtrack.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?
The first wireless systems were built around Bluetooth. Itâs the easiest and most convenient way to connect, but it has some limitations. Youâll want to make sure that your entire system fits inside a circle with a 30-foot (or less) radius, and youâll need to be comfortable with the limitations in quality imposed by the low bandwidth of Bluetooth connections, which have to compress the signal a bit and take out some of the fine detail. If youâre already listening to MP3 or streaming video, you wonât notice any difference; it is primarily apparent when listening to CD-quality or better audio, and even then, many people wonât notice them.
Wi-Fi systems have extended rangeâup to 100 feet between speakers, more if you have Wi-Fi boostersâand better sound. But they arenât as foolproof to set up or troubleshoot. If you arenât completely comfortable with the nuts and bolts of operating Wi-Fi equipment, youâll want to get some help from a qualified installer.
All of these systems use HDMI cables to accept incoming video; some of them also have the ability to accept a Bluetooth pairing from another device for incoming audio, so you can play music from your phone through the system.
How Much Power and Capacity?
The power of a sound system is expressed in watts. Between systems from the same manufacturer, you can use watts as a measure of relative loudness. However, different manufacturers may use different standards to measure power, so donât choose one system over another just because it offers â500 wattsâ compared to another systemâs â300 watts.â
When it comes to speaker size, bigger is almost always better, despite what you read in the advertisements. A speaker is fundamentally a device for moving air. Larger-diameter speakers need less back-and-forth movement to do it, which means they can be clearer, crisper, and more articulate than small-diameter speakers making large âexcursionsâ back and forth to produce high volume.
This is all doubly true for subwoofers. If you live somewhere the neighbors wonât complain, get the largest-diameter âsubâ you can, powered by the highest-capacity amplifier. Donât be fooled by claims of extensive bass performance due to âportsâ or âresonance chambers.â To shake the floor, you need raw power and size.
How We Evaluated
Iâve been building and evaluating traditional wired home theaters for almost 25 years. I looked for a wide variety of performance, price, and size options, relying on manufacturers with an established reputation for repeated excellence in amplifier and/or speaker construction. Here are seven wireless surround setups to make your home theater more enjoyable.
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Best for Audio Fanatics
Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite
Best for Audio Fanatics
Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite
Pros
- Two powered subwoofers
- Crisp, powerful sound quality
Cons
- Requires a lot of power outlets
Nakamichi has a long history of stratospheric hi-fi equipment, such as the iconic âDragonâ tape deck that conjured comparisons to Harley-Davidson and Gibson Les Paul. The cost has usually been just as high. So a price of just under a thousand dollars for a complete wireless surround system with these specs has to be seen as a bit of a bargain.
You get two powered subwoofers that also supply power to the two-way rear surround speakers. A thousand watts of total system power. Want more? Thereâs an Ultra version that upgrades to the rarely discussed 9.2 surround specs.
Short of a high-end wired home theater system with mono-block amplifiers, full-size speakers, and bespoke subwoofer enclosuresâa proposition that can easily cost more than a new pickup truckâyou wonât find much that hits harder, and sounds clearer, than this system.
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | 7.2 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Bluetooth |
| Connections (Speakers) | Wi-Fi (most speaker connections) |
| Total Wattage | 1,000 |
Best Theater Sound
Bose Lifestyle 650
Best Theater Sound
Bose Lifestyle 650
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to set up
- Designed for accurate reproduction of sound cues in movies and video
Cons
The Bose Lifestyle systems are easy to set up, simple to use, and capable of working with Amazonâs Alexa. The heart of the system is a console that manages inputs from various sources then plays the sound through five individual speaker modules and a subwoofer. As is typical with Bose, the speakers are quite small and rely on specialized enclosures to produce âbiggerâ sound. If you want the most sonic punch available with relatively little use of space, the Lifestyle systems are just the ticket.
With a total system range of around 32 feet from Boseâs 2.4Ghz signal, this is best for smaller rooms and/or apartment living. Itâs not fully wireless; the front three speakers are wired to the console, while the rear speakers are powered by, and connected to, separate modules. But that means you wonât need to recharge or reload batteries. Consider this a great way to get decent surround sound without (most of) the setup hassles.
Key Specs
| Surround Technology | 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Connections (Speakers) | Proprietary Bose 2.4Ghz |
| Total Wattage | 650 |
Best Upgrade for a Wired System
Klipsch Reference
Best Upgrade for a Wired System
Klipsch Reference
Pros
- Simple to use
- Works with your existing setup
Cons
- Not as wireless as most will want
Klipschâs great-sounding Reference can be an affordable way to build your own high-quality system for a low cost, but youâll need an A/V receiver. The wireless 150-watt subwoofer uses Klipsch 2.4Ghz technology to go anywhere in a room; just plug the included transmitter into the low-frequency output on your existing receiver (or the one youâre about to buy).
The five speakers are entirely conventional, which means they will need wiring from the receiver. The good news is that a lot of receivers, even low-cost models, already have all the connections needed.
This system is ideal for anyone moving into their own place who already has a decent A/V receiver as part of a small stereo or headphone rig. Itâs not the solution for everyone, but some new home theater enthusiasts will appreciate the large-diameter speakers and clean design.
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | Depends on the receiver |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Proprietary wireless for subwoofer |
| Connections (Speakers) | Wired rear speakers |
| Total Wattage | 150 (subwoofer only) |
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Best Value
VIZIO M-Series 5.1
Best Value
VIZIO M-Series 5.1
Pros
- Simple
Cons
- Lackluster subwoofer power
The SB is another âdemi-wirelessâ offering, because the rear speakers are wired into the subwoofer. That subwoofer, however, is truly wireless and can be placed anywhere in a reasonably sized room, with no cable besides the required power cord. Vizioâs affordable soundbar system can do DTS and Atmos decoding, turns on via an HDMI signal from your television, and provides reasonable volume and audio range. The relatively modest sub wonât carry the lowest lows, and the audio quality doesnât match a more expensive system, but for an affordable price, you get a very apartment-friendly form factor.
Vizio offers two other models that pack a little more punch for a little more money, but this base system has the cleanest look and takes up the least amount of space; exactly what you want in a wireless surround system where affordability and compact size are the primary drivers for purchase.
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | 5.1, virtual 7.1.2 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Connections (Speakers) | Wi-Fi |
| Total Wattage | 50 |
Affordable Low-Cord Solution
JBL Bar 5.1
Pros
- Great for rooms with no power outlets in the desired surround locations
Cons
- Not ideal for large rooms
Some people want a little more wireless in their wireless surround; others want a lot of flexibility. The JBL 5.1 Soundbar system offers both. Under casual conditions, you can just listen to the full soundbar that connects to your TV via HDMI. It switches on and off automatically. Want a more immersive situation? Detach a set of completely wireless speakers from the soundbar, place them behind you, and enjoy about 10 hours of sound between charges (a Micro-USB connection can power them indefinitely for more permanent placement).
The 10-inch subwoofer is also wireless. Low-frequency sound tends to be perceived by humans as non-directional, but more sensitive listeners will appreciate the freedom to adjust the subâs location to suit.
With exceptionally small surround speakers and modest total power, this isnât the choice for large gatherings or full-size home theaters. It is a way to get good sound in rooms that donât have a lot of options for additional power cords or speaker mounts.
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Bluetooth |
| Connections (Speakers) | Proprietary JBL |
| Total Wattage | 510 |
Best for Future Flexibility
Polk Audio React System
Pros
- Audiophiles will like the sound; others will like the flexibility of configuration
Cons
- Requires a bit of thought and decision-making while creating your system
Polkâs take on wireless surround begins with the Alexa-capable REACT soundbar, which uses digital processing to provide the impression of surround sound in smaller rooms. For some people thatâs also where they will stop, but the REACT home theater system comes with a subwoofer, and the SR2 Wireless Surround speakers (sold separately) can complete your system. All these items need their own power cord, but thatâs all the connection youâll be doing. For setup, just turn everything on, push two buttons, and let the members of your new wireless system find each other.
As with the JBL system, this reasonably priced setup is best thought of as a way to get good sound in a smaller room. But thereâs another selling point: Unlike most of the other systems discussed here, you can buy it a la carte. Although short of full surround sound, that option could be compelling if you live somewhere a powered subwoofer would be unwelcome. Why pay for sound you canât use, especially if you can add it later if your living situation changes?
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | 5.1 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | HDMI (from TV) |
| Connections (Speakers) | Polk Wi-Fi |
| Total Wattage | Varies on configuration |
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Best for Enhancing Older Films
Sony HT-Z9F
Pros
- Digital trickery to expand a small space
- Looks like a million bucks
Cons
- Not ideal for larger rooms
Sonyâs HT-Z9F system looks as modern as tomorrow and offers digital capabilities to match. Pairing Dolby ATMOS decoding with Sonyâs own proprietary Vertical Surround Engine, this soundbar with powered sub claims to reproduce the immersive sound of ceiling-mounted speakers. Older movies that arenât mastered in 7.1 will benefit from this more than a newer 7.1-soundtrack film would.
Adding a set of SA-Z9R speakers upgrades this system to true 5.1 surround sound; they plug in separately and have built-in amplifiers, but they connect wirelessly to the main system. Total system power is 500 watts; small rooms are where the system will shine best, particularly with regards to the virtual ceiling speakers. If you are a Sony devotee who wants a little of the flair shown by the firmâs upscale ES products in an affordable (but not cheap) wireless surround system, this is the only choice youâll likely consider.
Key Specs
| Surround Tech | 3.1, virtual 7.1.2 |
|---|---|
| Connections (Incoming) | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Connections (Speakers) | Wi-Fi |
| Total Wattage | 400 + 100 for rear surround |
Jack Baruth
Jack Baruth is a writer and competitor who has earned podiums in more than fifteen different classes and sanctions of automotive and cycling competition, in both amateur and professional capacities, as well as an enthusiastic hobbyist musician and audiophile who owns hundreds of musical instruments and audio systems. His work has appeared in Bicycling, Cycle World, Road & Track, WIRED, Wheels Weekly, EVO Malaysia, Esquire, and many other publications. His original design for a guitar, the Melody Burner, has been played by Billy Gibbons, Sheryl Crow, and others.