Create a magical world of cinematic wonder with the right home entertainment system. Choose from a wide array of audiovisual equipment to fit your needs and budget.
Start with a TV that meets your screen size and resolution requirements. Consider a surround sound system or a soundbar that offers immersive audio quality.
1. Vizio M-Series
This budget-friendly all-in-one is a solid option for those looking to upgrade their TV’s sound without breaking the bank. It’s one of the few bar-based systems in this price range with dedicated satellite speakers that improve its surround performance, letting sound effects stretch out from your couch and make you feel like you’re in the center of the action. Its sub also delivers plenty of rumble and thump during action-packed movies and sports.
Voices and lead instruments in music are reproduced with clear clarity, and dialogue sounds natural during TV shows. The only thing that lets it down is its lack of room correction, which makes it sound a little different depending on where you’re sitting in the room.
You can connect it to your TV with a single HDMI ARC cable or an optical connection, and its remote includes simple controls for playback functions and settings. It’s compatible with a variety of popular streaming services and smart home devices, including Alexa and Google Assistant.
2. Sonance S500 In-Wall Speaker System
When it comes to invisible speakers that are THX Certified Dominus, few companies can compete with Sonance. These speakers are designed to look as good as they sound, with a state-of-the-art 92 dB sensitivity and a narrow vertical line that allows them to meet stringent off axis performance requirements for superior imaging. They also feature a diffraction baffle that minimizes reflections and enhances treble clarity.
These speakers are built for a wide range of installation applications, from single-channel music rooms to dedicated theaters. They can be used in conjunction with Sonance Reference subwoofers to create a high-performance surround sound system at a comfortable price point. The combination of Sonance Klippel II technology, individual driver tuning, and optimized diffraction baffles ensures consistent tonal matching for seamless integration. This enables a system design that can be mixed and matched with various in-wall and in-ceiling models while maintaining optimized performance. They can be painted or covered with wallpaper to blend in with any décor.
3. Sony XBR-65X900
This Sony model is one of the best-performing LED TVs for the money. It supports 4K HDR content and runs on the Android TV platform. It comes with an Ethernet jack for wired internet connection and also offers Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can access online content over your home wireless network. It also has a headphone jack and DLNA capability, so you can play digital photos and music stored on compatible devices on its display.
The Sony XBR-65X900F has excellent dark room performance and its native contrast ratio is higher than that of the competing Sony Z9D, so it can deliver deep blacks and bright images in low light conditions. It also has better reflection handling, making it a good choice for viewing sports and TV shows in a well-lit room. It has lower input lag, which is beneficial for gaming, and it supports FreeSync for smoother motion when connected to a gaming console.
The Sony XBR-65X900F’s simple three-button remote control can change the TV’s inputs, speaker volume and tuner channel, as well as acting as the power button. Its back has a thin panel that holds an input for an IR blaster and another for a serial controller. There are two more panels with HDMI and component-video inputs, and one of these has an MHL port for connecting a mobile phone or tablet that lets you simultaneously charge the device and play photo, video or audio content on its display.
4. Sony XBR-65X900A
The XBR-65X900A is a high-quality 4K set that delivers impressive image quality. It can access online content via a wired Ethernet connection and has Wi-Fi capabilities for wireless streaming. It’s also DLNA certified, which lets you view digital photos, videos and music files stored on computers, tablets or smartphones connected to your home network.
The picture is bright enough to make it useful in well-lit rooms, and the TV has local dimming that improves contrast ratio. It supports 3D content and can convert 2D into simulated 3D for glasses-free viewing.
The TV is thicker than many edge-lit LED/LCD models because it houses a pair of speakers on the front panel, which matches the angular, faceted exterior aesthetic Sony developed for its 2013 lines with its “Sense of Quartz design concept.” Its audio system uses Signal-to-Sound Architecture and Sony’s magnetic fluid speaker technology to deliver smooth midrange and low vibration. It’s expensive but worth the money for those who can justify the jump to 4K resolution.