By Steve Holdgren

Whether you have a small or large entertainment space, the Energy 5.1 Take Classic home theater system will fill it with rich sound. The sleek, glossy black set of six includes 4 satellite speakers, a center channel, and a subwoofer, all wall mountable. We were impressed by the crisp, full sound and powerful bass, with low distortion and great midrange performance. You’ll want to follow Energy’s tips for installing the system so you get the optimal sound, but you won’t be disappointed when you do. This home theater system allows you to hear even the subtlest sounds along with the booming explosions, giving you an awesome movie-viewing experience. 

Quick Specs

• 6 pieces
• 33-20,000 Hz
• 200-watt subwoofer

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

For a superior 3D Blu-ray surround sound system from 2015, the Samsung HT-J5500W offers plenty of features to turn up the volume of your movies. The built-in Wi-Fi gives any TV access to all the most popular apps—Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, etc. Another nice inclusion is wireless rear speakers. Finding a place to mount rear speakers without showing too much wire has always been a problem with surround sound systems. Thankfully Samsung has directly addressed this problem with wireless speakers, this alone adds a great deal of value. The Blu-ray player in this set features 3D playback as well. This may be a technology that is phasing out, but more and more TVs are including it. Regardless, the Samsung HT-J5500W offers the advantages of Blu-ray in a single passage, attractively priced around $400.

Quick Specs

• 5.1 Channel
• 1000-Watt
• 3D Blu-Ray Home Theater System
• Dolby Digital, DTS Digital Surround
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Today more and more families are picking up home theater systems, or “home theaters in a box.” It’s no wonder why—these systems conveniently link surround sound to the TV, sometimes with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. As we surveyed the vast selection of home theater systems, including some Panasonic models coming out this year, we looked at the following qualities in choosing our top ten:

1. Crisp, pure sound quality
2. For DVD models, upscaling to near HD quality
3. Straightforward setup process
4. Flexibility in speaker arrangement
5. Wireless subwoofer
6. Audio Return Channel (ARC)
7. Bluetooth or USB port for playing music
8. Comprehensive system for media streaming
9. Easy-to-navigate interface
10. Attractive design
11. Value

Home Theater System Buying Guide

How to pick the best home theater

So you want to simplify your home entertainment system and enjoy a cinematic experience from the comfort of your living room. Buying a home theater in a box is an affordable option that provides high quality surround sound and sometimes other special features like Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

What you need to know beforehand

Choosing a home theater in a box can be tricky if you don’t know what would best suit your home. The first thing you need to consider is what you already have—TV, DVD or Blu-ray player, game console, HDMI cables, etc. Even consider practical factors. Do you have the furniture for a TV stand arrangement, or do you favor a wall mount setup?

Also think about the size of your room, which may determine how many speakers you need. Home theater systems classify themselves with a number such as 7.1, 5.1, 2.0, and so on. These numbers let you know how many speakers come in a system (designated by the first digit) and whether it has a subwoofer for low frequency bass (shown by either a 0 or a 1 after the decimal point). So how do you know which number is right for your home? Let’s break it down.

• The bigger the room, the more speakers you’ll want to get the richest sound. Think 3.1 at the minimum. Smaller rooms can make do with smaller systems—2.1 or 1.1, for instance.
• If ease of setup and cost are major concerns, then be aware that the more speakers you have, the higher the price and the trickier it will be to set them up and adjust them to optimize the sound.
• For an audio experience closest to a movie theater, spring for the extra speakers. The deep bass provided by subwoofers contribute to this effect, making you feel the rumble of special effects as well as see and hear them. If, however, you don’t want that ground-shaking bass (say you live in an apartment), then avoid systems with a subwoofer.

Figuring out inputs and outputs

If you already have special components such as a Blu-ray player, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, etc., then make sure the home theater in a box you choose has an adequate number of inputs and outputs to connect these components to the audio system. These include HDMI, digital audio, USB, headphone jack, and docking port for smartphones/tablets. Based on the components you have (or plan to have), look for a home theater in a box that won’t limit you in the number of sources you can connect to it.

Other special features

Once you know the number of speakers and input/output ports to look for, then it’s time to consider other special features that can make your home theater experience more immersive and fun. Like playing music? Bluetooth lets you wirelessly stream music and other media from your iPod or iPad. Other systems have a docking station or USB dongle to connect these devices.

With the rising popularity of Blu-ray, you may wish to consider a home theater system that’s compatible with 3D Blu-ray. Some systems come with a built-in Blu-ray player, which is handy if you don’t already have one. Additionally, many of these systems also give you access to various apps and streaming services like Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, and more.

Think about the features you most desire, and shop around for prices. Obviously, the more you pay, the more you get, but quality home theater systems are available for less than $1000, some at half that price. Budget models give you the basics for an affordable price and suit those who don’t need a lot of bells and whistles. Once you know what you’re looking for, you’ll be better prepared to find it at a great value.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Featured Home Theater System Articles

Blu Ray Home Theater Systems: The Pros and Cons

Many home theater in a box audio systems today come with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. This simplifies things if you don’t already own one of these players, but what are some other benefits or perks to this feature? If the home theater in a box you select doesn’t have an integrated Blu-ray or DVD player, it’s not the end of the world….[more]

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Blu-Ray Players

Blu-Ray players are becoming increasingly more advanced while not surging to ridiculously high prices. Several new models coming out in 2012 offer smart TV viewing options, with the ability to search for movies, apps, and entertainment sites. We selected 10 of the best Blu-Ray players…. [more]

Top 10 HDTVs

Our expert TV editors pull together the Top 10 most impressive best quality HDTVs for 2012. Editors noted several factors in helping them decide which HDTVs to include in the list including: 1. Black Level Depth 2. Side Angle Viewing Quality 3. Clarity and Clearness of Images on Screen…[more]

Top 10 LED TVs

Following are the models our electronics category editors JB Burden and Bob Wiley think are great mid-range LED TV choices in terms of the quality/value/price/features equation. We have reviewed these or similar offerings from the manufacturers and we recommend and rated these models …[more]

Top 10 32″- 42″ LCD TVs

The small LCD TV category is still very important to the average North American consumer. We’ve included a solid list of the Best LCD TVs for 2012 based on the following qualitative and value criteria: Solid Picture Quality based on…[more]

Best TV Series

This simple list shows off some of the best TV shows of the past few years that have a box set available. With the popularity of HBO/Showtime type shows you can get lost in finding the next great TV show (or last great)…. [more]

More Home Theater Systems

By Steve Holdgren

With built-in Wi-Fi, the LG HB6730S is an extremely convenient addition to your TV or movie room. The wifi connection makes it fast and simple to get to great streaming content from some of the major providers like Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, YouTube, and more. All of this is easy to navigate with the with clean and well laid out menu system. We appreciated the large, clearly labeled icons, which match the major buttons on the remote. The blu-ray player, speakers, and subwoofer are relatively small and unassuming compared to some of the other speakers on the list. They are not going to dominate your living room and they have a shiny, lustrous look that complements any décor. While the sound quality for movies is not a booming compared to other models, it’s still sharp and clear when it comes to music. The lack of any HDMI inputs is a big drawback, but comes with the appealing price tag. Overall, the features and design quality make this model worth the $249.99 price tag.

Quick Specs

• 2 HDMI inputs
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• USB drive

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

Honorable Mentions

• Panasonic SC-BTT190 Blu-ray 3D home theater system
• Panasonic SC-BTT195 Blu-ray 3D home theater system
• Panasonic SC-BTT490 Blu-ray 3D home theater system

Back to Top Home Theater Systems

By Steve Holdgren

Many home theater in a box audio systems today come with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. This simplifies things if you don’t already own one of these players, but what are some other benefits or perks to this feature?

Pros

• With Blu-ray players, even DVD content is “upconverted” to near HD quality, 1080p.
• It simplifies the setup.
• There is less wire and cable clutter.
• It keeps your electronics uniform and streamlined.

Cons

• It’s not essential and becomes extraneous if you already have a Blu-ray player or game console that plays these discs.
• You may become stuck with a particular Blu-ray/DVD player brand, when you may prefer having more options.
• It’s typically more expensive.

If the home theater in a box you select doesn’t have an integrated Blu-ray or DVD player, it’s not the end of the world. Simply make sure that the system’s inputs/outputs allow you to hook up whatever player you already have.

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

More Top Ten Lists

Top 10 Home Theater Systems

Today more and more families are picking up home theater systems, or “home theaters in a box.” It’s no wonder why—these systems conveniently link surround sound to the TV, sometimes with a built-in DVD or Blu-ray player. As we surveyed the vast selection of home theater systems, including some Panasonic models…. [more]

Top 10 Blu-ray Players

Blu-Ray players are becoming increasingly more advanced while not surging to ridiculously high prices. Several new models coming out in 2012 offer smart TV viewing options, with the ability to search for movies, apps, and entertainment sites. We selected 10 of the best Blu-Ray players that showed the greatest technological advances and connectivity options. Other features we considered…[more]

Top 10 HDTVs

Our expert TV editors pull together the Top 10 most impressive best quality HDTVs for 2012. Editors noted several factors in helping them decide which HDTVs to include in the list including: 1. Black Level Depth 2. Side Angle Viewing Quality 3. Clarity and Clearness of Images on Screen…[more]

Best LED TV’s

Following are the models our electronics category editors JB Burden and Bob Wiley think are great mid-range LED TV choices in terms of the quality/value/price/features equation. We have reviewed these or similar offerings from the manufacturers and we recommend and rated these models based on the following…[more]

Best TV Series

This simple list shows off some of the best TV shows of the past few years that have a box set available. With the popularity of HBO/Showtime type shows you can get lost in finding the next great TV show (or last great)…. [more]

By Steve Holdgren

Ideal for smaller homes or apartments, the Sony HT-CT150 offers quality sound for a reasonably priced sound bar system, only $299.99. The sound bar is lightweight and looks attractive with a wall-mounted TV setup. The subwoofer isn’t wireless, however, so you’ll need to place it relatively close to the TV; the subwoofer also has the IR receiver, so it needs to be accessible to the remote. Despite the limited setup flexibility, this home-theater-in-a-box provides clear sound with deep bass and avoids that tinny sound you’ll experience with other systems. Its main perk is the three HDMI inputs, and six total inputs for external devices, such as a Wii or other game console. For an affordable price, this home theater system offers great quality and the basic features you’d expect for your home viewing pleasure.

Quick Specs

• 3 HDMI inputs and 2 optical inputs
• 6 total inputs for external devices
• 200 watts

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

With built-in Wi-Fi, the LG LHB535 makes accessing music, videos, and photos convenient and fast, without having to mess with dongles that take up space. Not only can you watch Blu-rays, but this home theater system connects to major streaming services like Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, YouTube, and more, with clean, easy-to-navigate menu systems. We appreciated the large, clearly labeled icons, which match the major buttons on the remote. The box and speakers are relatively small and unassuming, so they won’t dominate your living room, and they have a shiny, lustrous look that complements any décor. While the sound quality for movies isn’t quite as impressive compared to other models, it’s still sharp and pure when it comes to music. Overall, the features and design quality make this model worth the $349.99 price tag.

Quick Specs

• 2 HDMI inputs
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• USB drive

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

A widescreen HDTV is not complete without a home theater system that vastly enhances the sound. The Panasonic SC-HTB20 offers the ability to boost and enrich the sound quality of your TV and keep the volume at a consistent level even as it switches from TV shows to commercials. A slim, elegant model, the speakers can be either wall-mounted or separated for a vertical arrangement. Setup is made as simple as possible, and the subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room, depending on your furniture arrangement. This home theater system is also compatible with full HD 3D, so you can fully enjoy 3D movies in the comfort of your living room. With so many options, this model is reasonably priced at $229.99.

Quick Specs

• 240 watts
• Dolby Digital and DTS
• 1080p
• Down-firing subwoofer

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

For sharp, pure sound, the Panasonic SC-HTB350 is a solid purchase, ringing in at about $299.99. For that, you get multi-positional speakers, which you can either arrange as a horizontal sound bar with a wall-mount system or detach for a tabletop style. The wireless subwoofer means you don’t have to worry about unsightly wires running through the room. The sound features are impressive too. Sound distortion is all but eliminated thanks to the digital amplifier, and movie dialogue is made distinct with a clear mode dialogue setting. Another worthwhile feature is the auto gain control, which prevents sudden changes in volume as the TV changes from a program to commercials. Best of all, Bluetooth enables you to play music from any Bluetooth compatible device, without connecting it to a cable or docking station. For a stylish, modern home theater system, this model is quite appealing.

Quick Specs

• Optical component inputs
• Wireless subwoofer
• 60 watts
• Energy Star

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

For a Blu-ray home-theater-in-a-box, the Samsung HT-C6500 offers many enviable features. With built-in Wi-Fi, all the most popular apps—Netflix, Pandora, Vudu, etc.—are available on a user-friendly menu system. While iPod/iPhone connection requires a special dongle rather than a docking system, the sound quality is excellent. The design has its pros and cons as well. The box is an attractive glossy black (unfortunately not fingerprint proof), but buttons along the top prevent you from stacking any other devices on top of it. Additionally, the rear speakers are not wireless, which is always a more attractive option. Regardless, the Samsung HT-C6500 offers the advantages of Blu-ray in a single passage, attractively priced at $498.77.

Quick Specs

• 2 HDMI inputs
• Built-in Wi-FI
• 1 GB storage

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

Households with an expansive DVD collection will enjoy seeing their movies presented with sharp picture quality and clear, pure sound, thanks to the Panasonic SC-XH70, available March 31, 2012. The home cinema system features 1080p up conversion, which converts standard definition DVD images of 720 x 576 pixels to near Blu-Ray quality, 1920 x 1080 pixels. The audio is sharp too, with 400 watts of power and fidelity to all the nuances of sound. Playing music from an iPod or iPhone is also possible through a USB connection. With a sleek, stylish design and easy setup, this Panasonic home theater system will more than satisfy those who like to watch their DVDs in high definition style. Its suggested retail price is $149.

Quick Specs

• 400 Watts
• Single tray DVD player
• Dolby Digital
• HDMI output

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

By Steve Holdgren

Movie fans no longer have to worry about replacing all their DVDs with Blu-Rays; thanks to the Panasonic SC-XH170, their standard definition DVDs are up-converted to near high definition quality, 1080p. This 5.1-channel home entertainment system also allows you to play music from your iPod or iPhone simply by hooking it up to the USB port. A digital amplifier produces pure, faithful sound with no distortions or jitter. The looks of this entertainment system are also very pleasing. Because of Audio Return Channel (ARC), there’s only one HDMI cable connection, so you don’t have a tangle of wires to deal with. While this system runs on the more expensive side, at $199, its advanced features and thoughtful quality make it worth the cost.

Quick Specs

• Component and HDMI outputs
• 160 watts
• Energy Star
• 18.5 x 10.5 x 13.7 inches
• Requires an ARC-compatible TV

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

A home-theater-in-a-box ranked highly with consumers, the Sony DAV-DZ170 comes with a special disc to aid the setup process, which is already fairly self-explanatory. The 5.1-channel speakers produce a rich, adjustable sound with 1000 watts, and with an HDMI cable, DVDs are upscaled to near 1080p quality. We were pleased to note that the BRAVIA Sync remote control handles all the connected devices in one. While there is no Bluetooth, a USB port in the front of the box allows you to connect your iPod or iPhone to pull up music and other media. For a reasonably priced home theater system at $199, this Sony model delivers the goods without a lot of fuss or extraneous features.

Quick Specs

• 1000 watts
• USB port
• Built-in DVD player
• 1 HDMI output

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

A subdued, matte gray look makes the Sony BDV-E770W quite attractive and sophisticated—and you won’t have to worry about fingerprint smudges. The sound quality of this home theater system is impeccable too. With wireless rear speakers, you can have a comprehensive home theater without all the clutter of wires. The model includes all the major streaming services and DLNA media, and is 3D compatible. The interface may include some extraneous choices that keep it from being completely streamlined, but it’s still easy to navigate the menus. The only real flaw is the lack of HDMI inputs; hooking up (a maximum of three) external devices requires you to use a USB dongle. Still, the plethora of feature and excellent sound quality makes this Blu-ray model well worth the price ($479.99).

Quick Specs

• 1 GB storage
• Surround sound
• 1000 watts total
• 1080p

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve

Prices

By Steve Holdgren

The upcoming Panasonic SC HTB550, available in April and priced at $399.99, has a lot of buzz building around it due to its dazzling array of features. From Bluetooth, which allows you to stream tunes from your smartphone or laptop without dealing with wires, to a digital amplifier that gets rid of jittery distortion, this home theater system is ideal for the true movie buff. Audio in particular is a strong point; dialogue comes out crisply, not muddled by ambient noises, and seems to come directly from the center of the screen. There’s also no loud sound blasts when transitioning from TV programs to commercials. The sleek model features a lustrous stainless mesh finish, and there’s no mess of cables to hook up thanks to Audio Return Channel (ARC). The home theater is easy to set up, and with detachable speakers you have a great deal of flexibility in the arrangement.

Quick Specs

• Stainless Steel
• Chimney hood
• Ducted
• 500 CFM
• 17 11/16 inches in diameter

Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve