10 Best Living Room Theaters in 2023: [Tested & Reviewed]
The best living room theater balances excellent audio and easy installation, which is perfect for many people. A premium living room theater will be able to match a more complicated setup in terms of audio quality in 2022, yet without the additional hassle of purchasing individual parts.
This article will provide all the insider information you need to get started.
Tips for Choosing the Best Living Room Theater
Most of us consider soundbars for our living rooms. They are practical and a step up from the TV’s built-in speakers. The simple speaker set cannot provide you with the desired experience when viewing movies or listening to your favorite music at home.
A living room theater is significantly superior for achieving a positive movie experience. The sound quality is still not comparable to that of a movie theater. A subwoofer, satellite speakers, and audio amplifier-receivers are all included in the living room theater.
The price of these packages varies depending on the features provided, and numerous brands sell living room theaters. They come in a single package, making buying and setting them up simple. They are also more economical than purchasing speakers and receiver amplifiers separately.
Here are some recommendations you should first consider if you plan to purchase a living room theater
1. Budget and Space
Your needs and funds will help you limit your living room theater alternatives. Most of the time, individuals spend a lot of money decorating their homes and buying televisions. However, many people overlook the speakers and amplifiers.
Other factors include speaker positioning, room size, and open space. Choose a living room theater bundle with bookshelf-sized speakers if your room is small.
If your area is moderately roomy, you can choose a 7.1 arrangement with a bundle that includes either bookshelf or floor-standing speakers.
2. Speakers
The speakers are also essential for producing high-quality audio. Some living room theater bundles include floor-standing speakers, while others have bookshelf speakers. Usually, 5.1 channel or 7.1 channel speakers are included with living room theater.
A subwoofer for low-frequency reproduction is present, and other speakers serve as satellites for the front, middle, and rear channel speakers. You can put the four satellite Speakers in each corner of your room or position the speakers on the floor for your living room theater.
3. A/V Receivers
Since the A/V receiver is the brains of any living room theater setup, you should ensure that the bundle you select includes one of high caliber. Thanks to developing technology, today’s A/V receivers are jam-packed with exciting functions.
Although it’s terrific, first-time purchasers could struggle to make the appropriate choice. Here are some crucial factors to consider before deciding on a living room theater bundle to get the best one.
4. Power
Watts are typically used to represent the amplifier’s entire power output. Ensure your receiver has enough power to supply the connected speakers with the necessary power. A/V receivers should ideally offer at least 100 watts of power to each channel for the best performance.
Impedance is a different word used to describe how speakers and amplifiers perform. The majority of speakers are 6 or 8-ohms rated. In the case of living room theater, the manufacturer pairs the amplifier and speakers appropriately.
5. Connectivity Options
- HDMI
An A/V receiver’s connectivity ports and various options are crucial. While slightly more recent A/V receivers include HDMI 1.3 ports, newer versions may have HDMI. The new standard supports Ethernet over HDMI, 3D video, and Audio Return Channel (ARC). A/V receivers, sound bars, and living room theater in a box can receive audio from the TV using the ARC on HDMI 1.4. (HTIB).
HDMI ARC does away with the necessity for a separate S/PDIF audio connection and gives you the option to upstream the audio data. To connect several devices, such as a game console, Blu-ray / DVD player, laptop, etc., seek an AV/ receiver with at least three HDMI input connections.
- Video Conversion and 4K Upscaling
The video conversion capability can convert various components and composite video signals into digital signals. The most recent A/V receivers can upscale and convert videos, which was long thought to be a luxury feature. You can use a single HDMI cable to connect your slightly outdated audio and video equipment and output to the TV.
Another crucial feature is the 4K upscaling capability. This function can be useful if you are considering or have already purchased the most recent 4K resolution TV. The process upscales the lower-resolution signals to a higher resolution to improve the visual quality on your HDTV or UHD TV. The upscaled signal is noticeably better even though it is not high definition.
- HDMI and 3D Pass-Through
HDMI pass-through means that the A/V receiver’s audio and video streams are not processed. Only those streams will be sent to the TV or displayed by the receiver. HD audio cannot be transferred using HDMI pass-through since the receiver cannot process it. You must rely on optical audio for that because it only supports DTS (Digital Theater Systems) and DD (Dolby Digital).
The bandwidth requirements for 3D signals are more extensive than those for regular 1080p signals in cases of 3D pass-through. The most recent HDMI 1.4 specification supports 3D. The 3D signals are accepted by A/V receivers with 3D pass-through and transmitted through HDMI to the TV. The A/C receiver does not necessarily transform 2D to 3D, though. You must connect a Blu-ray player to your TV to do it.
- Surround Sound Processing
The variety of surround sound options might be overwhelming for first-time living room theater consumers. The Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks from HDTV broadcasts, Netflix, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc., can almost all be played back on modern A/V receivers.
Not only that, but the most recent living room theater receivers also feature Dolby DTS-HD and Dolby True HD, enabling you to enjoy a true and immersive surround sound experience at home. Some living room theater receivers also include a variety of equalization presets to give your music listening experience additional punch.
6. Component and Composite Video
Composite and component video communication ports are on almost all A/V amplifiers. These input ports guarantee backward compatibility, enabling you to connect your obsolete audio and video equipment, including VCRs, CD/DVD players, and other devices.
- Ethernet
Having Ethernet connectivity in the A/V receiver has many advantages, including making it simple to update the software and enabling online music streaming. With DLNA, you may stream music from your smartphone, tablet, and other devices and access content on your home network.
- Apple Airplay
Apple’s Airplay, which enables you to stream music, images, and videos from iTunes or Airplay-enabled devices on a network, is not available on all A/V receivers, but some do.
- USB for iPod Connectivity
USB connectivity can be especially useful if you have an older Apple device, such as an iPod 2G, 3G, or iPhone 3Gs, that does not support Airplay functions. You won’t need a docking station if your A/V receiver’s USB input is approved to work with iPads, iPhones, and iPods. You may stream music, movies, and images from your Apple device to the HDTV via the USB link on your A/V receiver.
7. Other Miscellaneous Features
- Radio Tuners
Although there are many internet radio stations where you may listen to nearly any genre of music, an in-built FM/AM tuner in the A/V receiver is still preferable. Consequently, you can also tune in to a local radio station.
- Remote Control
Even though almost all living room theater packages come with remote control, the control functions are crucial. Consider the remote’s construction quality, operational range, and battery type. Ideally, it should contain all the necessary controls for an A/V receiver’s features.
- Build Quality and Function Keys
Other crucial factors include the A/V receiver’s weight, size, and construction quality. Its design should have enough vents to guarantee that the heat produced during prolonged use is appropriately expelled. Look for the accessible function keys on the receiver. It should enable you to manage most of your living room theater functions.
8. Inbox Contents and Wires
Check the inbox items, such as power cables, a remote control, batteries, etc., when searching for A/V receivers. You might have to purchase connecting cords separately if it doesn’t come with any. Considerations for cable thickness and build quality are crucial since they affect how well your living room theater will sound. Additionally, check the connector for the type of material it is composed of, such as nickel or gold.
You can get the ideal living room theater kit for your residence by keeping the factors mentioned above in mind. Naturally, you’ll need to research the manufacturers of living room theater packages, the available models, features, etc.
Comparison of Latest Living Room Theater
| Image | Model | Specification | Best Buy | Rating |
 | Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package | A set of elegant, realistic, and expressive living room theater speakers. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Wharfedale Diamond 12.1HCP | The Diamond 12.1 speaker kit from Wharfedale provides high-end audio for the masses. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack | An amazing and entertaining set of living room theater. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12 | A very strong stereo and surround-sound offering. | Check Price | 4.7/5 |
 | Elac Debut 2.0 5.1 | An excellent speaker who is both smart and mature for the money. | Check Price | 4.7/5 |
 | KEF Q350 AV 5.1 | Although large, this speaker combo will make your movies come to life if you have the room. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Dali Spektor 2 5.1 | This premium package ranks among the best. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Triangle Borea BR08 speaker package | An exacting but engaging speaker package | Check Price | 4/5 |
 | Dynaudio Evoke 50 5.1 | Even better than it appears, this speaker combo has great audio. | Check Price | 5/5 |
 | Jamo S 807 HCS | An attractive, charming, and useful 7.1 Dolby Atmos speaker set. | Check Price | 4/5 |
Let us explore in depth each of the above.
Best Living Room Theater 2022
Choosing the right living room theater can be challenging, but this buying guide can help. Let’s start
Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 170W
- Finishes: White, Black Ash, Dark Walnut, Light Oak
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Lean, appealing, intriguing, and unfussy are all adjectives that accurately describe the appearance and acoustics of these astute performers.
The award-winning Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders are in the front row. Both the Dali On-Wall speakers (£1799) and the five-star Dali Oberon 1 stand mounts (£1699) are available as surround speakers. The Oberon Vokal center is a genuine star in the middle, and the subwoofer is the Sub E9-F.
The system presents every frequency in its entirety, yet with an openness and warmth that brings forth the best in any audio. They are straightforward but entertaining, strong but deceptive, and we would welcome them over to our house any time. They are the 2020 Awards Product of the Year as a result.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1HCP
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 200W
- Finishes: Black, white, walnut, light oak
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP exudes poise, ease, cut glass diction, and charisma, presenting a mature sound rich in impact, agility, richness, and sensitivity without sacrificing or dominating the midrange and treble.
The set includes a 12. C in the center, a quartet of the outstanding, mid-sized Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers for the fronts and surrounds, and an SW10 powered subwoofer for the bass.
The SW-10 is renowned for its precision and dexterity. The smaller speakers, which also have an extremely well-integrated bottom end, merge well with the incredibly musical sub. As a result, the sound is vibrant.
The Diamond 12.1 system shows to be a fantastic option for both music and film, being big enough to create a dramatic scale with a broad sound field while remaining covert and reasonably priced to be accessible to a variety of audiences.
Q Acoustics 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 150W
- Finishes: Gray, walnut, black, white
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
The 3050i 5.1 Cinema Pack by Q Acoustics is audaciously cinematic and enormously enjoyable, and despite what its sound would have you believe, it doesn’t occupy much room. For your left and right channels, you receive a pair of 3050i floorstanders. For your surrounds, 3010i stand mounts, your center channel, the incredibly expressive 3090i center speaker, and for your subwoofer, the 3060S.
The system has a contagious exuberance and energy that isn’t exhausting, and it also has a lot of maturity and understanding to go along with those attributes. The 3050i’s strength and bass weight support higher intensity without sacrificing the quick timing of its more tiny partners.
One of the most outstanding features of this package is its fluidity and agility, which avoid rigidity for a quick but authentic-sounding performance. In our opinion, nobody could fail to enjoy an evening with these speakers.
Monitor Audio Silver 200 AV12
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 500W
- Finishes: Black, white, walnut, oak, rosewood, black gloss
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
This surround sound system star is the Silver 200s, the smallest of three pairs of floor-standing speakers in this sixth iteration of Monitor Audio’s venerable Silver series. However, despite the 200 appearing in the package’s name, the Silver C150 center speaker, Silver FX surround speakers, and Silver W-12 subwoofer all share the spotlight with the floorstanders.
The centerpiece of this surround sound system is the Silver 200s, the smallest of three pairs of floor-standing speakers in this sixth iteration of Monitor Audio’s renowned Silver line. Although the package’s name contains the number “200,” the Silver C150 center speaker, Silver FX surround speakers, and Silver W-12 subwoofer all share the spotlight with the floorstanders.
Rarely do we support a speaker system wholeheartedly for its ability to work in both stereo and surround sound, but with these Monitor Audio Silvers, you get both for the price of one.
Elac Debut 2.0 5.1 Home Theater System
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 200W
- Finishes: Black
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
This surround sound system combines the Debut 2.0 F5.2 floorstanders and Debut 2.0 B5.2 stand mounts, two sets of five-star stereo speakers, with an identical center speaker and subwoofer to produce one of the most controlled, resolving, and well-matched systems we’ve heard at this price. For a sound experience that is even more immersive, Dolby Atmos topping speakers are also available.
We would cheerfully watch our favorite movie moments as often as we could just for the pleasure of hearing what this speaker set is capable of. The kind of beautifully expansive and detailed soundstage that genuine cinema sound is about is produced by their subtle, sensible, and silky design. So well, do they immerse you in the action that you almost completely ignore the speakers?
KEF Q350 AV 5.1
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 300W
- Finishes: Black, white
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
If space isn’t an issue, you might want to treat yourself to this excellent KEF setup. Of course, the acoustic prowess of these speakers is what earned them a five-star rating, but you can’t deny the KEF Q350 5.1 package’s imposing size or its physical dominance over our listening space. It’s not suitable for a tiny bedsit.
It’s big and bold, and the sound matches that. You’re given a great immersive experience, and the speakers and subwoofer collaborate to produce a wonderfully unified sound field. The bass is also strong without overdone, so the audio is never clouded or colored. You won’t regret it if you take the plunge.
Dali Spektor 2 5.1
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 170W
- Finishes: Black, walnut
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
This Dali would have won a What Hi-Fi? Award or two of its own if it weren’t for Q Acoustics’ excellent 5.1 offerings (above). It combines a quartet of Spektor 2 stand mount speakers—each of which has won two Awards—with the Spektor Vokal center speaker and the little yet potent Sub-C-8 D subwoofer.
It offers a quick, thorough, and enjoyable listen, with the sub adding many scales. A genuinely cinematic experience is created by the dialogue, which has a warmth to it that’s tragically lost in many systems and the perfect sense of timing.
Triangle Borea BR08 Speaker Package
Features
- Channels: 5.1 (with additional speakers at different heights)
- Subwoofer: 200W
- Finishes: Black ash, walnut, white, and light oak
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
Borea is the most affordable line of hi-fi speakers from high-end French manufacturer Triangle. Its BR08 5.1 speaker package includes a pair of 3-way, front-ported BR08 tower speakers, the Tales 340 subwoofer, which is the least priced of Triangle’s four subwoofer models, two dual-driver BR03 stand mounters, and a two-way BRC1 center speaker. This surround sound system may be upgraded to a 5.1.2 or even 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos-capable system by adding BRA1 height surround units (£349/ $599/ AU$900 per pair).
The Borea BR08 5.1 is an enjoyable and admirably cinematic surround speaker kit for its affordable price. One of the more realistic Atmos performances we’ve heard that doesn’t entail ceiling rigging can be obtained by including the optional height units.
Triangle believes that the most prominent speaker, the BR08, will operate best in rooms between 20 and 40 meters squared. They also suggest positioning the floorstanders and bookshelf speakers 40 centimeters from the rear wall and more than 50 centimeters from the sides. Even though they are front-ported, the BR08, in particular, has a robust low end and being close to a wall significantly impacts this. The Tales 340 isn’t up to the standard of the rest of the system. Therefore we’d suggest upgrading the subs if you can. However, the package provides a fair price for engaging, dynamic surround sound.
Dynaudio Evoke 50 5.1
Features
- Channels: 5.1
- Subwoofer: 500W
- Finishes: Black, white, walnut, blonde wood
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
By most people’s definition, Evoke is high-end, but it only occupies about halfway up Dynaudio’s spectrum. Due to the Danish company’s somewhat “pay it forward” attitude toward high-end technology, Evoke has access to ground-breaking advancements in driver design that were initially used in its much more expensive forebears. Because of this, the Evoke produces a resolute, high-quality sound consistent throughout the whole frequency range and rhythmically taut with a distinctively nimble bass end.
The system consists of two Evoke 10 bookshelf speakers. An Evoke 50-floor stander, an Evoke 25 C center speaker, and a sealed-box Sub 6. Despite being on the larger side, the cabinets fit in most rooms because of their simple, minimalist design. Every little thing about the Evoke system helps it fit in cleanly, from the slightly rounded front corners and tapering trapezoid shape of the MDF cabinets to the contrasting matt black “screwless” drivers and immaculate crystalline lacquer.
Jamo S 807 HCS
Features
- Channels: 7.1
- Subwoofer: 100W
- Finishes: Walnut, white, black
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
At this cost, a 7.1 Dolby Atmos kit seems too good to be true. Jamo proposes you put the subwoofer under the sofa because it’s not just a whole deal but also a tidy, small item. That certainly is convenient.
The bass end, albeit a tad mushy, is sufficient for everyone but the most discriminating home cinema audiophiles, and the sound is dynamic and full of body. If so, you’ll be willing to spend a little more money in exchange for a smoother sound, but the Jamo is still a good choice for the money.
FAQs on Living Room Theater
After examining the sea of millions of possibilities on the market, it is normal to have some queries before making a decision. Here are some typical queries from clients looking to make a comparable purchase.
1. Who makes the best surround system?
Many different businesses produce great surround systems, and the cost of the final assembly grows with quality. The Dali Q Acoustics system is not the best in all the other categories, despite being usually referred to as the best surround sound system.
The finest feature of living room theater is their diversity, which comes with reliable surround sound. You may have a suitable surrounding system for your environment with a reasonable budget.
2. Which surround sound is better, 5.1 or 7.1?
The answer to this question is extremely individualized because there are numerous aspects to consider when deciding how many channels to include in a living room theater.
A 7.1 surround system typically produces a better-balanced impact because of the additional output channels. These additional channels concentrate on the tiniest details of sound engineering and enable consumers to hear the sound exactly as it was intended to be heard.
While a 7.1 system employs eight channels, a 5.1 system only uses six.
3. What number of speakers are required for Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos describes the high-end audio features we often hear in movie theaters. It often operates in a surround sound format mounted overhead to deliver correct audio Installing at least four audio speakers around your space is necessary to replicate the experience at home. For a better experience, be sure to sync all of these speakers.
4. Do I really need 7.1 surround sounds?
Fair enough, where you are and the kinds of music you typically listen to greatly impact this. Installing 5.1 channels should be more than plenty if you’re watching live sports and listening to rock music inside your home.
However, you must choose more speakers if you plan to construct a living room theater in a commercial space.
Wrapping Up
Due to its complexity, selecting the best living room theater is a difficult undertaking. Numerous considerations must be made, including woofers, subwoofers, the number of speakers, and brand value. It will take a while to finish this. I have covered the top living room theater and their in-depth reviews to make it simpler.
Check out the table above if you want to compare and buy any of them.
I hope you can choose the best living room theater from the list of suggestions.
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Mark Dalio
Mark is a tech-obsessed serial entrepreneur who also enjoys reading and writing. He has a strong urge to keep learning and talking about technology, which led him to become an author. Mark has co-founded two successful startups, one of which was acquired in 2018.
