It is easy to sit in a theater with your friends or family and escape reality for a few hours. Now we can recreate this experience in our own homes. Home theaters are no longer reserved for the super wealthy. Big screen televisions and home theater sound systems are more affordable than ever. Sound systems no longer have to be bought piece by piece. User-friendly all-in-one packages make it easy for anyone to turn their living room into a surround sound experience. I can guarantee that the snacks will be cheaper and you won’t get stuck in the front row. Join me as we discuss some standout options for home theater sound systems.
Sony BDV-E3100 5.1 – $298
The Sony BDV-E3100 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System ($298) is one of the best-selling systems on the market. As a 5.1 system, it comes with six speakers. There is a center speaker, front left, front right, back left, back right, and a subwoofer. When set up correctly, a 5.1 system creates a full surround sound experience that puts you in the center of the action. This budget-conscious package does not skimp in power with a total of 1000 Watts distributed amongst the speakers. The central receiver is a 3D Blu-ray player. You can also watch standard Blu-ray discs in full HD 1080p or upscale standard DVDs to near-HD quality. You can even up-convert 2D to 3D. The system offers an HDMI 1.4 output to deliver high-definition video and audio over a single cable. The receiver has built-in Wi-Fi and easily connects to the internet without the need for cables. While connected to the internet you can access the Sony Entertainment Network, which features more than 100 streaming services including Netflix, YouTube, HuluPlus, Pandora, and more. The system supports Bluetooth and NFC technology to allow you to wirelessly stream music from your mobile devices. The Blu-ray disc drive features I/P noise reduction, which eliminates playback noise. Lastly, there is a front USB port to allow you to display your photos and videos on your TV with a USB thumb drive. Sony is known for delivering great products at reasonable prices and the BDV-E3100 is no exception.
Yamaha YHT-4920UBL 5.1 – $459.95
The Yamaha YHT-4910UBL 5.1 Channel Home Theater System ($459.95) should be able to keep up with ever-changing home theater technology. The AV receiver provides advanced HDMI features that include a pass-through of 4K Ultra HD. This gives it the ability to feed 4K resolution data from the source to the monitor for impressive image clarity. Like the Sony system above, this Yamaha system is a 5.1 system and includes six speakers as well as a receiver. This receiver acts as a hub where you can connect your external DVD players, video game systems, CD players, and other devices. This Yamaha system is also Bluetooth compatible for wireless music streaming. Yamaha employs digital signal processing to restore compressed audio files (Mp3’s) to their full fidelity for ideal frequency response. This system features Yamaha Parametric Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO). YPAO analyzes the room acoustics and adjusts various audio parameters for optimum sound. This ensures that the listening area is tuned to provide the best audio experience possible. Lastly, the system comes with a set up application that assists you with cable connections and assignments. The Yamaha YHT-4920UBL offers cutting edge technology, legendary sound, and versatility all within a mid-priced system.
Onkyo HT-S7700 5.1.2 – $799
Onkyo was the first manufacturer to bring Dolby Atmos technology to a home theater-in-a-box system. This new feature adds multidimensional audio to your setup. The dual front speakers included with the Onkyo HT-S7700 5.1.2 ($799) reproduce sound from overhead by bouncing it off your ceiling and into your ears. This makes scenes with helicopters flying overhead or lots of rain – among other sound effects – seem even more lifelike. Dolby Atmos is often represented as 5.1.2, where the last number 2 represents the addition of the two upward facing drivers. Onkyo’s AccuEQ room calibration auto corrects speaker distances, levels, crossovers, and frequency response to ensure clear and cohesive surround sound. You can also bypass the DSP to hear the natural character of your loudspeakers. The HT-S7700 supports 4K/60Hz via HDMI to get the most out of your Ultra HD display. The HT-S7700 is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled. This allows you to access all your favorite streaming services as well as listen to music from your mobile device. Additionally, there is a mobile app that allows you to control all major playback controls, speaker adjustments, source selection, and more from your phone or tablet. With the integration of Dolby Atmos, the Onkyo HT-S7700 creates an engulfing multi-dimensional home theater experience.
Onkyo HT-S9700THX 7.1 – $1,199
The next step up is the Onkyo HT-S9700THX 7.1 ($1,199). While it has all the features of the HT-S7700, this is a true 7.1 surround sound system. The additional two speakers mean this system has a total of eight speakers. This allows you to create wider surround sound as well as a more detailed Dolby Atmos experience. The HT-S9700THX also features higher quality speakers and cabinets. Additionally, it is THX integrated and supports gapless playback, as well as the ability to play full uncompressed audio formats. Whether you want to watch movies, play video games, or listen to music, you are guaranteed a great and immersive experience with this system.
Bose CineMate 520 – $1,299
It is difficult to talk about home audio without mentioning Bose. They are synonymous with high-quality home audio, clean aesthetics, and easy to use technology that “just works”. The CineMate 520 Home Theater System ($1,299) is the latest home theater experience from Bose. The 5.1 system features five Direct/Reflecting Series II speakers that have been redesigned with a slimmer profile and can be mounted flush to the wall. The Acoustimass sub-module is wireless and can deliver impactful bass from anywhere in the room. The CineMate is easy to use with a minimal and intuitive control console. The CineMate is 4K compatible for Ultra HD TVs. The system utilizes Bose’s incredibly advanced and accurate ADAPTiQ calibration system to adjust the sound based on your room’s unique size and shape. With the optional SoundTouch Wireless Adapter ($99) upgrade, you can enjoy wireless music throughout your home. The adapter easily connects to the CineMate and your home Wi-Fi network. SoundTouch allows you to enjoy streaming services such as Spotify and Pandora on your Bose products through an intuitive mobile application. If you already own other Bose products, the SoundTouch app allows you to join them together to create a multi-room listening experience. You can listen to music stored on a computer in the kitchen, watch a movie in the living room, or you can have all the Bose products in your house stream the same party playlist from Spotify. You can control all your different listening zones and sources from the convenience of the app on your phone. The Bose CineMate with optional SoundTouch upgrade prioritizes user experience while maintaining the Bose standard in sound.
The holidays bring families and friends together. As we get older, we begin to realize how important it is to cherish these times. With our jobs, children, and hobbies, getting everyone together seems harder and harder. Give yourself or a loved one the gift of a home theater system this holiday season. Bring the movie theater experience into your home and create a reason to get together, even when the holidays are over.
