The 7 Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems for an Immersive Experience

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Chances are you’ve upgraded your television in the last few years, whether because you wanted to dip your toes into 8K waters or you desired a larger screen. Did you upgrade your surround-sound system to match? If you didn’t, you’re probably in the majority and here’s why: it’s a real hassle to change out a wired system. That goes double if you’re looking to boost it from an early 5.1 setup into something with more capability.

Happily, there’s now a better way. Wireless surround-sound systems offer the opportunity to improve your home theater audio without the need to tear up floors or drill into walls. You're still likely to plug in a power cord or two, but it’s a much easier task than installing and concealing all the wire needed for a modern 7.2 system. This goes double for renters or people who can’t easily modify their living space.

Included below are some of your best options to go wireless and enjoy high-quality theater sound in your home. Whether your primary desire is maximum sound quality, solid spatial imaging for action movies, or just getting a little more enjoyment out of old film favorites, these systems will answer the call, often at an entirely reasonable price. And the fact that you won’t have to run speaker wires all over the place? That's definitely music to our ears.

Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems

• Best for Audio Fanatics: Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite

• Best Theater Sound: Sony HT-A7000

• Best Value: VIZIO M-Series 5.1

• Best Upgrade For A Wired System: Samsung GW-Q990C

• Affordable Low-Cord Solution: JBL Bar 5.1

What to Consider

5.1 or more?

The traditional surround-sound specification calls for five full-range speakers: one center channel, left and right up front, plus left and right speakers mounted on either side of your listening area. Whether branded Dolby, DTS, or something else, this is a 5.1 system, with the “point one” referring to a separate channel for a subwoofer. The “sub” is how you get all the earth-shaking booms and rumbles from superhero movies and car crashes.

Sound Check These: Waterproof Bluetooth Speakers • Tower Speakers • Sound Bars • Ceiling Speakers • Outdoor Speakers

Most people will be satisfied with 5.1, but it’s possible to add two more speakers behind the listeners for a 7.1 setup. Add a second subwoofer, and you’re at 7.2. Want ceiling speakers? That’s 7.1.2 or 7.1.4 depending on how many you add. Keep in mind, however, that most movies and media won’t be able to take advantage of the extra channels beyond 5.1, so in most cases the sound you will hear through the extra speakers will be digitally extracted and modified from the 5.1 soundtrack.

Wi-Fi or Bluetooth?

The first wireless systems were built around Bluetooth. It’s the easiest and most convenient way to connect, but it has some limitations. You’ll want to make sure that your entire system fits inside a circle with a 30-foot (or less) radius, and you’ll need to be comfortable with the limitations in quality imposed by the low bandwidth of Bluetooth connections, which have to compress the signal a bit and take out some of the fine detail. If you’re already listening to MP3 or streaming video, you won’t notice any difference; it is primarily apparent when listening to CD-quality or better audio, and even then, many people won’t notice them.

Wi-Fi systems have extended range—up to 100 feet between speakers, more if you have Wi-Fi boosters—and better sound. But they aren’t as foolproof to set up or troubleshoot. If you aren’t completely comfortable with the nuts and bolts of operating Wi-Fi equipment, you’ll want to get some help from a qualified installer.

All of these systems use HDMI cables to accept incoming video; some of them also have the ability to accept a Bluetooth pairing from another device for incoming audio, so you can play music from your phone through the system.

How Much Power and Capacity?

The power of a sound system is expressed in watts. Between systems from the same manufacturer, you can use watts as a measure of relative loudness. However, different manufacturers may use different standards to measure power, so don’t choose one system over another just because it offers “500 watts” compared to another system’s “300 watts.”

When it comes to speaker size, bigger is almost always better, despite what you read in the advertisements. A speaker is fundamentally a device for moving air. Larger-diameter speakers need less back-and-forth movement to do it, which means they can be clearer, crisper, and more articulate than small-diameter speakers making large “excursions” back and forth to produce high volume.

This is all doubly true for subwoofers. If you live somewhere the neighbors won’t complain, get the largest-diameter “sub” you can, powered by the highest-capacity amplifier. Don’t be fooled by claims of extensive bass performance due to “ports” or “resonance chambers.” To shake the floor, you need raw power and size.

How We Selected These Wireless Surround Sound Systems

Simply, I did a lot of listening to and a lot of comparison with the all-time wired greats to make my product recommendations. Sound quality is important, but since wireless sound is often a choice based on convenience, I also considered ease of installation and use. When in doubt between two or more systems, I gave the nod to value and expected durability.

Shockwafe Elite

Nakamichi has a long history of stratospheric hi-fi equipment, such as the iconic “Dragon” tape deck that conjured comparisons to Harley-Davidson and Gibson Les Paul. The cost has usually been just as high, so a price under $1,000 for a complete wireless surround system with these specs has to be seen as a bit of a bargain.

You get two powered subwoofers that also supply power to the two-way rear surround speakers. A thousand watts of total system power. Want more? There’s an Ultra version that upgrades to the rarely discussed 9.2 surround specs.

Short of a high-end wired home theater system with mono-block amplifiers, full-size speakers, and bespoke subwoofer enclosures—a proposition that could easily cost more than a new pickup truck—you just won’t find much that hits harder, and sounds clearer, than this system.

HT-A7000

Sony’s wireless system is more wireless than most, allowing the rear surround speakers to run on quick-charging batteries. If you don’t want to run power behind your listening seats— or if you simply can’t—this is the setup for you.

With 545 total system watts, however, you’ll still get dynamic, floor-booming theater sound. The whole system isn’t anywhere near cheap, but the price is fully justified.

M-Series 5.1

This is another “demi-wireless” offering, because the rear speakers are wired into the subwoofer. That subwoofer, however, is truly wireless and can be placed anywhere in a reasonably sized room, with no cable besides the required power cord.

Vizio’s affordable sound bar system can do DTS and Atmos decoding, turns on via an HDMI signal from your television, and provides reasonable volume and audio range. The relatively modest sub won’t carry the lowest lows, and the audio quality doesn’t match that of a more expensive system, but for an affordable price, you get a very apartment-friendly form factor.

This base system features a clean look without taking up an unreasonable amount of space; exactly what you want in a wireless surround system where affordability and compact size are the primary drivers for purchase.

GW-Q990C

If you’re still on an old wired 5.1 system, it's likely you’ll be very pleased with the detailed staging and Atmos compatibility of Samsung’s sophisticated new sound bar.

Got a Samsung TV? Then you’ll be even happier because this system natively works with, and uses, your existing TV speakers for additional detail and resolution. The up-and-side-firing rear speakers offer more placement options and can run 12 hours between charges. In a pinch, they could even go on the floor.

Bar 5.1

Some people want a little more wireless in their wireless surround; others want a lot of flexibility. The JBL 5.1 Soundbar system offers both. Under casual conditions, you can just listen to the full sound bar that connects to your TV via HDMI. It switches on and off automatically.

Looking for a more immersive situation? Detach a set of completely wireless speakers from the sound bar, place them behind you, and enjoy about 10 hours of sound between charges (a Micro-USB connection can power them indefinitely for more permanent placement).

The 10-inch subwoofer is also wireless. Low-frequency sound tends to be perceived by humans as non-directional, but more sensitive listeners will appreciate the freedom to adjust the sub’s location to suit.

With exceptionally small surround speakers and modest total power, this is not the choice for large gatherings or full-size home theaters. It is a satisfying way to get decent sound in rooms that don’t have a lot of options for additional power cords or speaker mounts.

Wireless Soundbar

As we’ve come to expect, Bose makes wireless surround sound easy. This sound bar plugs into your TV with a single HDMI cable. Don’t want to run the cable? It can use a Bluetooth connection.

Ready to expand with subwoofers and additional speakers? Just place them within 33 feet of the sound bar and turn them on. It all just works, and it sounds pretty darn good as well.

M-Series Elevate 5.1.2

With the M-Elevate, Vizio has tried a few new things. The first is the soundbar speakers that rotate in their housings to ensure great soundstaging up front. The next is a design-first approach with rounded, expensive-looking housings and funky LED lighting.

If you have a Vizio television, you’ll unlock some additional setup features, but this system is worth looking at for anyone who wants a bit of design on a budget.

Lend an Ear for Expert Jack Baruth’s Guidance on Wireless Surround Sound.

Does wireless really mean there are no wires at all in my system?

For all practical purposes, the answer is “no” for two reasons. First is that most systems use wired connections between the receiver and the front speakers. The second is that you’ll need power for each speaker, and with a few rechargeable speaker exceptions, that’s done via wall plug.

When you think “wireless” it usually just means you won’t be running speaker wires across your floor, through your walls, or out of your ceilings…which is a big deal for most people.

If I have an odd-shaped room, is there a certain type of system I should look for?

For starters, make sure you actually have a place for each speaker! That may sound funny, but when it comes to placing speakers, our eyes are often a bit bigger than our stomachs, so to speak.

Depending on the size and shape of the room, you might want to look for at least a seven-speaker system, just to be certain that all the angles are covered.

How do I know the best placement for the speakers in my room?

There are a dozen different rules and systems out there online, but there’s no substitute for simple trial and error. Position yourself where your favorite viewer will be most likely to sit, and then have a friend move everything around. You’ll probably save time if you start by leaving a foot or more between the sides of your front speakers and the side walls.

Some people have better results by “aiming” the surround speakers at your seating area, while others swear by not doing that. Try it both ways.

How many subwoofers do I ideally need?

Low-frequency sound is usually considered to be “non-directional” meaning it’s hard to figure out its source. Therefore, most of the time, one full-power subwoofer is enough. Why are so many modern systems using two subwoofers? Mostly due to space and power considerations. As an example, the subwoofer in my home system is bigger than an Eames ottoman and weighs nearly 100 pounds. Most people would rather have two smaller ones!

What is most important when buying one of these wireless systems?

Nobody likes to admit it, but total system wattage makes a real difference. Even the best speakers aren’t much use unless they have the proper amount of power. This is especially true in a home theater where pure audiophile considerations, like hearing the bow attack of the concertmaster in an orchestra, are often second place to “Can I feel the dinosaur walking towards me?” So that being said, don’t skimp on power.

You Might Also Like

• The Do’s and Don’ts of Using Painter’s Tape

• The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere

• Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?