Shop for surround speaker systems

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 17 reviews

The Bottom Line: The exceedingly stylish Philips HTS8100 SoundBar packs the home theater experience--including a DVD player--into one slim package plus a sub. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.8 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: Anchored by its minitower speakers, the Aperion Intimus 4T Hybrid SD is an exceptional surround speaker system that ably combines good looks and superior sound. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Medium cherry, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 150 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 1.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The Energy Speakers RC-Micro 5.1 speaker system delivers superb sound quality from incredibly tiny speakers. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 240 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 82 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you don't mind the high price and lack of an auxiliary input, the Bose SoundDock will turn your iPod into a nice bedroom or office stereo system. Read review

Specs: speaker system, 11.9 in x 6.5 in x 6.7 in, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The addition of enhanced video connectivity options cements Yamaha's already excellent Digital Sound Projector technology as the go-to choice for single-speaker surround sound. Read review

Specs: 40.6 in x 4.6 in x 7.6 in, Black, 2 Watt, 20 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 37 reviews

The Bottom Line: This five-piece home-theater speaker package offers shockingly good sound for a mere $199. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Black ash, Passive

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The new and affordable Klipsch HD Theater 500 package prioritizes sound quality over cosmetic glitz. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 100 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.8 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 14 reviews

The Bottom Line: KEF's stunningly styled egg-shaped speaker package, the KHT-3005, boasts audiophile-quality sound for music and impressive home-theater performance. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, High-gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 100 Watt, 250 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.8 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 13 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Klipsch Quintet III speaker system belts out a hugely impressive sound despite the speakers' small size. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Passive, 50 Watt, 75 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 19 reviews

The Bottom Line: You can't beat Fluance's rock-bottom pricing, solid construction, and sound quality, which rivals that of more expensive speakers. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Beech, Passive, 8 Ohm

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.6 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Mirage's gorgeous Nanosat 5.1 Home Theater System may be small, but it produces a huge, room-filling sound for music and movies. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 75 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 27 reviews

Manufacturer description: The Bose CineMate digital home theater speaker system makes it easy to enjoy the power of a home theater experience using your TV and video components, like a DVD player ... Read more

Specs: speaker system, Graphite gray, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.0 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 15 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're not looking for the virtual surround effects found on more elaborate (and expensive) single-speaker audio systems, the affordable Boston Acoustics TVee Model Two sounds swell, looks good, and includes a cool wireless subwoofer. Read review

Specs: speaker system, Midnight, Active

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.0 stars out of 3 reviews

The Bottom Line: JBL's On Air Control 2.4G requires an annoying amount of wires and has limited compatibility with surround receivers, but its impressive sound quality surpasses that of previous wireless solutions. Read review

Specs: 2-way Active, 15 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: The powerful Definitive Technology ProCinema 800 satellite/subwoofer package redefined our expectations of what a small surround speaker system can do. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 300 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.1 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 15 reviews

The Bottom Line: Despite their tiny size, the speakers of the Mirage Nanosat 5.1 System offered positively huge sound on CDs and DVDs, with only a few minor shortcomings. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, 87 dB, 10 Watt, 75 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.5 stars out of 2 reviews

Manufacturer description: Yamaha's Air-Surround XTREME system delivers great surround sound and includes a powerful, stylish subwoofer for added dynamic bass output. The YAS-71 provides a unique home theater solution.

Specs: speaker system, Glossy black, Active, 70 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.1 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: If you don't need the HDMI connections found on the step-up model, the Yamaha YSP-900 single-speaker surround system delivers exactly the same overall sound quality for less money. Read review

Specs: five channel speaker, 31.5 in x 4.5 in x 6 in, Black, Active, 82 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.3 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: A single-speaker surround system, the Polk Audio SurroundBar works best as a home-theater solution for small rooms. Read review

Specs: five channel speaker, 42.6 in x 5.1 in x 4.4 in, Black, Active, 8 Ohm, 89 dB

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.3 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Yamaha's YSP-1100, its best-ever Digital Sound Projector single-speaker surround system, is a breeze to set up and it sounds great on DVD. Read review

Specs: five channel speaker, 40.6 in x 4.6 in x 7.6 in, Active, 120 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.4 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: Innovative engineering solutions propel Mirage's MX 5.1 Home Theater System to the top spot in the small system/big sound sweepstakes. Read review

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 19 reviews

Manufacturer description: Listen: the lifelike and dramatic sounds of music and movies surround you. Violins are crisp and clear, a chorus seems to fill the room, and movie effects are enveloping and ... Read more

Specs: home theater speaker system, Black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 4 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Definitive Technology ProCinema 600 surround speakers pack a mighty wallop for their small size, but the system needs some extra care during setup to sound its best. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Gloss black, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 250 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.7 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Yamaha YAS-70's included subwoofer and affordable price tag make it a tempting choice for virtual surround fans, but it lacks the impressive sonics of its pricier Digital Sound Projector siblings. Read review

Specs: speaker system, Black, Active, 50 Watt

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.7 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Aperion's awesome 5.1 speaker system is pricey, but the Intimus 5B Harmony SD's great sound and superb build quality are definitely worth it. Read review

Specs: home theater speaker system, Medium cherry, Active subwoofer, passive satellites, 200 Watt