Finding the best home theater is not as easy as you may think. The best home theater system must give you premium audio experience, but a substandard set will not improve your existing sound system and can be a hassle to assemble. To assure you great audio experience and easy installation, our team rounded up the best home theaters in a box.
Home Theaters in a Box Reviews
1. Onkyo HT-S3910 Home Audio Theater
The Onkyo HT-S3910 is a home theater in a box that guarantees the elevation of your regular and faint TV sound to an immersive, 3D audio experience. It supports an advanced music optimizer which enriches sounds from devices to make it clearer and more crisp.
This home cinema system features Dolby Atmos Virtualizer and DTS:X technologies that enable virtual surround and height effects without using supplementary speakers.
The best feature of the HT-S3910 system is the fact that the package includes the most important parts required to set up a home theater system: speakers cables, non-slip pads, and an indoor FM/AM loop antenna.
What We Like
- Vocal enhancer function
- Easy bluetooth streaming
- Easy to install and upgrade
- Features Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer
What We Don't Like
- You can’t manually turn on the subwoofer
- Subwoofer included may not be enough
2. Platin Monaco 5.1 Plus Axiim Link Wireless Home Theater
The Platin Monaco 5.1 immersive wireless home audio device enables you to connect 5.1 high-definition audio to any room or environment. Simply insert the six provided speakers into the power outlet and attach the included Axiim Connection USB transmitter to the WiSA Ready TV or the Xbox One. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the audio of your favorite movies, TV shows, sports, songs, and games.
Made of high-quality materials, Monaco speakers deliver a crisp and clear sound. Expanding your system is not an issue since Monaco supports up to 8 channels. You get a cinema-quality sound fast with this top-tier surround sound systems for your home.
What We Like
- Extremely low latency
- Simple to set up
- Integration with third-party remote controls
- WiSA certified
What We Don't Like
- No mounting holes on the speaker
- Stops responding to volume adjustments
3. VIZIO 5.1 Sound Bar with Slim Wireless Subwoofer
With the Vizio 5.1 System, you will experience a fully immersive 5.1 surround sound due to its 6 powerful speakers. Its diverse subwoofer brings a deep, booming bass and can fit upright into the corner of the room or be laid at your side or be placed under your couch.
It also features a dedicated center speaker that lends a crystal-clear dialogue. Highly compatible with any Bluetooth device, this home theater system can stream music wirelessly. DTS Virtual:X [1] helps you fill any room with crystal clear sounds, making this system perfect for movie watching.
(If you require several channels, we also have top-performing multiple channel home theater device here)
What We Like
- Compact wireless subwoofer
- Simple setup
- DTS Virtual:X sound enhancement
- Easy HDMI connectivity
What We Don't Like
- Sound could be better for music
- Subwoofer cannot stay paired with the soundbar at times
4. JBL Cinema 610 Advanced 5.1 Home Theater Speaker
For those who want to experience some surround audio without spending a lot of money, the JBL Cinema 610 Advanced 5.1 Home Theater Speaker delivers a premium surround sound, perfect for setting up a cinema at your home.
Featuring an 8″ bass reflex 60W driven subwoofer with 5 matching voice-matched satellite speakers and a dedicated middle speaker, this home theater helps you achieve flawless sound reproduction and dialog from both your music and film sources.
JBL included in the package custom wall-mount options and an easy plug-and-play format for an easy installation and setup of the 5.1 home theater configuration.
Want to improve your 5.1 home theater system? Choose between PCM and Bistream audio applications here.
What We Like
- Compact enough to fit in any living spaces
- Powerful bass and mids
- Includes brackets for wall mounting
- 2-way satellite speakers included
What We Don't Like
- Not very powerful speakers
- Wall mounts could be better
Buyer’s Guide
Sound Quality
If you only want a better sound than your TVs, any soundbar will improve the sound that you get from your TV. But if you want a more upgraded audio experience that is easy to set up, home theaters in a box are a perfect choice.
For a strong audio quality, here’s how to make surround sound louder.
Inputs/Outputs
Usually, home theaters have four or more HDMI inputs and at least one output used to connect TVs or video projectors. Some receivers may have two or three HDMI outputs.
If you are looking for high-quality connections, try using HDMI CEC in your home theater setup, too.
Our Top Pick: Onkyo HT-S3910
Our experts concluded that Onkyo HT-3910 is the best home theater in a box. It delivers 3D immersion through its Dolby Atmos Height Virtualizer technology. For a pocket-friendly price, you get one of the best audio quality and its advanced music optimizer is great for cinephiles and music lovers.
For rich audio and easy setup, you can check our review of the Sony HT-S40R here.