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Willie Greer - July 5, 2021
Is a power manager necessary for a home theater? If you want to protect your electronic devices from sudden power spikes, then the best power conditioner is needed. If you don’t know what to look for, the device won’t be reliable to ensure audio devices are well-protected. Worry not, as our audio engineers are here to help you pick the best home theatre power manager.
- Unique space-saving shape
- 9 outlets w/ satellite connectors
- Automatic voltage monitoring
- Protects against surges & spikes
- AC noise filtering
- Has a built-in circuit breaker
- A total of 9 outlets
- Very solid construction
- Comes in black and white
- Designed for heavy-duty devices
- Has 12 outlets
- Fast-charging USB ports
Reviews of the Best Home Theatre Power Managers
Furman M-8X2 Power Conditioner
The Furman M-8X2 can protect your home theater equipment. The device has a solid build and manages the flow of power to prevent power surges. Not only does it regulate the energy supply, but it also removes dirty power.
Furman also incorporates AC filtering to prevent RFI and EMI interference. This means your power protector will not emit unwanted pops when it’s protecting your home theater system.
The power conditioner has a 15-amp rating and 9 outlets – enough for most full home theater setups. There is even an indicator on the front of the device that will show your system is protected.
What We Like
- AC noise filtering
- Power conditioning and surge protection
- 9 outlets in total
- 15 amps
- Features a protection indicator
- Ensures clean power
- Greater filtration than 23 dB
- Solid construction
What We Don't Like
- Protection of only 150 joules
- Not UL listed
Panamax MR4300 Power Management
The Panamax MR4300 is a power conditioning device that is often revered, so our audio team decided to see what all the fuss was about. The Panamax MR4300 comes with 9 outlets and AVM Technology (Automatic Voltage Monitoring). The device was specially made for the home theater by improving the power quality and filtering out dirty power.
Of course, it also features surge protection abilities that will prevent voltage spikes from damaging all the equipment. To show you just how well-built the MR4300 is, the brand includes a $5,000,000 limited lifetime connected equipment policy plus a lifetime product warranty.
What We Like
- Sleek design
- Protected by a connected equipment policy
- Lifetime product warranty
- Surge protection
- AVM Technology
- 9 outlets
- LED display
What We Don't Like
- The display can be a bit bright
- May be susceptible to radio interference
Witeem Surge Protector
If you are looking for spike prevention and power management at a very affordable price, then look no further. Although the Witeem Surge Protector has a friendlier price tag, it can still function just as well as high-end power conditioners. In fact, it was manufactured to manage heavy-duty devices.
Not only does it have AC outlets, 12 to be exact, but it also has 4 fast-charging USB ports with smart technology. You get an incredible 4360 joules of protection, which is much more than other surge protectors.
To add more benefits, the Witeem surge protector is safe for your home theaters and can be wall mounted.
What We Like
- Has 12 outlets
- 4 fast-charging USB ports with smart tech
- Overload protection against lightning strikes
- UL-listed power cord
- Can be wall mounted
- Responsive and friendly customer service
- Indicator lights
- Fire-proof and heavy duty
- Offered in white as well
What We Don't Like
- Bulkier than some other models
- The child protection blades are hard to move
Tripp Lite 600W 120V Power Conditioner (LS606M)
Our audio team chose the Tripp Lite LS606M Power Conditioner as one of the best power conditioners because of its unique shape and capabilities. The small unit filters out unwanted noise and maintains an uninterrupted power supply of 120 suited for sensitive devices.
It is smaller and takes up less space, but for this reason, it only has 6 outlets. Even so, 6 is plenty for a normal everyday home theater setups. This device also comes with an automatic voltage regulation, or AVR. The best home theater power managers have something similar, and it’s a function that keeps an eye on the incoming AC power.
What We Like
- AVR technology regulates over and under-voltages
- Small and compact
- 600W 120V
- Surge protection and noise reduction
- Easy-to-read indicators
- Lightweight
What We Don't Like
- Only has 6 outlets
- Has a very large cord
Home Theatre Power Manager Buyer’s Guide
How do you find the right power conditioner? You want to protect your expensive home theater equipment with the best home theatre power manager you can find. Our audio engineers understand this, which is why they put together a quick and easy guide to help you find a high quality power conditioner.
Number of Outlets
Generally, power managers have an even amount of ports that are commonly between the range of 6 to 12. You must determine the number of outlets you need when looking for your next power conditioner. It is also crucial that the outlets are adequately spaced out.
Various devices have different-sized plugs, and you want to get the most out of your home theater power conditioner and all the outlets it offers.
Our expert audiophiles also recommend purchasing a home theater power manager with more than enough power outlets. Why? Because if you get an advanced power conditioner with just the right number of plugs, then there will be no room for other devices. This also makes your system customization down the line more difficult.
Size and Setup
Keep in mind that generally, more outlets mean a larger power conditioner or surge protector. Make sure you have the space to accommodate a larger home theater power conditioner. There are some models, like the Witeem models that can be wall mounted.
The Pamanmax option is designed to be stacked or placed under your TV to save space. Then there is the Tripp Lite option, which is shaped like a cube and gives you placement flexibility.
Filtration Rating
There are two ratings to look for in your next best home theatre power managers. First, there is the clamping voltage, which is the voltage rating where the surge protector activates. 120 to 400V is a good range, but if you can find something higher, then there is less of a chance your equipment will be damaged.
The next rating is for energy absorption. How big are the power surges your surge protector/power manager can handle? Our sound team recommends the energy absorption rating to be at least 500 joules is possible or over.
On a side note, our sound engineers also recommend UL-certified devices. UL, or Underwriter’s Laboratories, has 1449 standards that devices must meet in order to obtain the certification. If the best power conditioners have this seal of approval, then you know you are getting an excellent device. Keep in mind that not all conditioners have this certification but still work very well.
Surge Protection
The best home theatre power manager will have a power strip that prevents surges. What are power surges? A power surge is due to an abnormal spike in your home electrical system current. For example, stormy weather can cause lightning strikes [1] and power outages that could impact the power distribution.
The spikes will cause devices in home theaters to absorb a ton of power, which can end up overloading the devices. A surge protector’s job is to prevent this. Luckily, many power managers have surge protection.
Power Cord
For placement and ease-of-use, you want your best-rated power conditioners to have a long power cord in order to filter dirty power effectively. A long power cord will also reduce the space needed to accommodate your setup. The power cord should ideally be thin enough to leave sufficient room when connected to the surge protector power strip but remain durable.
Power Manager or Surge Protector?
A power manager, also known as a power conditioner or power strip is different from a surge protector. Since there are many devices on the market that feature both, some people don’t understand the difference. Energy spike protection will keep home theaters safe from frequent power surges, but one alone does not have the ability to deliver filtered power or include noise filtration.
Spike protection can provide advanced capabilities such as linear filtering technology with your equipment connected to monitor the incoming line voltage and make adjustments accordingly. The surge protector power strip may also have a sequential system power switch.
FAQ
What is the best power supply for home theater?
The best power supply for a home theater is the Furman Power Conditioner M-8X2. The power manager can protect your audio equipment and reduce AC line noise for noise filtration. It has 9 outlets and also a performance indicator to show you it is distributing power properly.
Are home theater power conditioners worth it?
Yes, power conditioners are worth it. These devices will monitor and regulate the original power signal, sometimes with automated voltage monitoring, to protect your home theater systems from damage. Most power conditioners also have features such as automatic extreme voltage shutdown, isolated noise filter banks and efficient AC power distribution.
Our Top Pick For a Home Theatre Power Manager:
Furman M-8X2
Our team’s top pick for the best home theatre power manager is the Furman M-8X2. This device reduces noise contamination that many other power conditioners cannot do. Not only is it a power conditioner but it is also a surge protector with 9 outlets to house the plugs for all your home cinema equipment.
