8 Best Budget Home Theater System Under $1000

No matter what anyone says, there is nothing better than owning your own home theater system that brings the family together to enjoy movies or shows for quality entertainment. In this era of technology, having a home theater is a much better choice than going to the movie theaters with selected movies running.

Moreover, a one-time investment is always a better option than spending your hard-earned money on tickets just to enjoy a 3-hour long movie. In this article, we list some of the best budget home theater systems under $1000 and also along the way to guide you on which factors you need to look into before buying one.​

Home Theater System Image Rating
Logitech Z906 Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System 4.6/5 Check on Amazon
Polk Audio 5.1 PSW10 Polk Audio 5.1 PSW10 4.7/5 Check on Amazon
JBL Bar 5.1 JBL Bar 5.1 4.5/5 Check on Amazon
Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 4.4/5 Check on Amazon
Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ 4.6/5 Check on Amazon
Onkyo HT-S3900 Onkyo HT-S3900 4.3/5 Check on Amazon
Klipsch 5.1 Klipsch 5.1 4.7/5 Check on Amazon
Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V 4.4/5 Check on Amazon

Best Budget Home Theater System Under $1000

1. Logitech Z906 Surround Sound Speaker System

Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System

Logitech does not only limit itself to manufacturing computer accessories. Even when it comes to home entertainment systems, Logitech is a top-notch performer and with the Z906, they prove it. At such a small price tag it is unbelievable how good this entertainment system performs.

Logitech claims that the Z906 is capable of delivering a theater-quality audio experience with this 5.1 channel sound system right in the comfort of your home. Packing 1000 watts of peak output power and 500 watts of RMS power, the sound from this beast will blow you and shake you to your core. Moreover, the sound system supports Dolby Digital and DTS encoded soundtracks so that you can enjoy the best movies with amazing music playback. The THX certification means that you can expect premium quality audio from the Z906.

The theater system offers multiple connectivity options and can support up to six devices via RCA jacks, 3.5 mm jack, and its six-channel digital coaxial and optical inputs. You can select your choice of input using the given remote control or using the control console.

The included remote controller allows you to individually address and adjust the volume level of every single satellite speaker that comes with the Z906 and it also lets you control the subwoofer. With choices among 2.1, 4.1, and 3D sound you can always choose your favorite one or according to the mood or environment. Undoubtedly one of the best budget home theater speakers.

Pros
  • Great quality surround sound along with DTS and Dolby encoded audio support.
  • Peak 1000 watts of output power is enough for a large living room.
  • Supports multiple input options including RCA and 3.5 mm input.
  • Let’s select between 2.1, 4.1, or 3D sound.
Cons
  • No support for HDMI
  • Trebles are not that good.

2. Polk Audio PSW10 5.1 Channel Home Theater System

Polk Audio 5.1 PSW10

There is perhaps nothing better than experiencing crystal clear bass from an audio system but that is not the only thing that the Polk Audio 5.1 PSW10 offers you. The sound definition and the level of control that these subwoofer offers are unmatched and rivals every other bigger competitor in the market.

To be specific, the PSW10 is not a complete home theater system but it adds dimension through its clear and distortion-free bass when paired with some good quality satellite speakers. The subwoofer enclosure is specifically designed to offer you the best volume levels that are optimized for lower frequency sounds with zero distortion.

Each spear is internally dampened and braced to make sure no standing waves and unnecessary resonance come between you and your entertainment. Equipped with a specially tuned and directed port, the PSW10 is guaranteed to immerse you in whatever you are watching and listening to through its bass. Cleary this is the best budget home theater subwoofer on this list.

Combing excellent quality driver materials and an enclosure construction with a durable build, the PSW subwoofer outperforms any other home entertainment system at this price point with the deep and cleaner low frequencies. Just to add the cherry o top, you also get 2 years of electronics warranty and 5 years of warranty on the drivers.

Pros
  • 100 watts of power output with crystal clear bass.
  • A low-profile design with enclosure construction makes it durable and fit into any place.
  • 2 years of electronics warranty and 5 years driver warranty.
Cons
  • Missing any direct input.

3. JBL Bar 5.1 Soundbar True Wireless Surround Speakers

JBL Bar 5.1

A JBL home theater system is arguably the best thing you can get to pair up with your LED or LCD TV to get the most out of your shows and movies.

The JBL bar 5.1 home theater system is hands down the best budget home theater system if you want to invest in a good quality set of soundbar and speaker for under 500 bucks. Blasting 510 watts of pure power through the woofer and speaker the Bar 5.1 from JBL will leave you starstruck with its super-clear bass frequencies and crunchy tables.

The sound system takes your movie experience to a whole another level when it is paired up with a 4K TV with amazing visuals. Just connect your JBL bar with your TV wirelessly or via HDMI and you have got your own movie theater right at your home.

The speaker is completely battery-powered therefore you have no hassle managing pesky power cables and wires. Moreover, for even more convenience, the entire home theater system connects to your device via Bluetooth wirelessly.

With up to 10 hours of playtime, cinematic 5.1 surround sound experience, and a 10-inch subwoofer, bring your favorite shows and music to life.

Pros
  • Supports wireless connectivity via Bluetooth.
  • Compatible with your TV remote control.
  • Battery-powered and detachable.
  • Works flawlessly with 4K devices via 3 HDMI In and Out.
Cons
  • Offers only 2 equalization presets.
  • Not a true surround sound system.

4. Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 Home Theater System

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4

If you ever want to witness what true 360° surround sound feels like then the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4 is no doubt the best home theater speakers that you can get for your TV. The system supports Plug and Play so it is super-easy to set up even if you do not know much about installing devices and plugging wires and stuff.

The Shockwafe Pro promises to turn your living room into a full-on movie theater with its Dolby Atmos 360 Surround sound technology that duplicates the same speaker arrangement that you find in cinema halls thanks to the SSE or Spatial Surround Elevation processing technology and the two surround speakers at rear.

The 8-inch wireless subwoofer delivers bass as you have never heard before and the 600 watts of pure output power through the speakers are engineered to blow your mind. The 7.1.4 channel setup is the ideal home theater sound solution for your living room and combining that with the Front Surround Effects Tweeters, all you can hear is perfection which makes the Nakamichi Shockwave Pro 7.1.4 the best value home theater system.

Pros
  • True surround sound experience with Dolby Atmos 360 surround sound technology.
  • Compatible with 4K devices via HDMI.
  • All-in-one solution for home audio no other equipment required.
  • Includes mounting hardware.
Cons
  • No mode for stereo.
  • Non-user-friendly remote.

5. Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ

Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ offers the consumer an all-in-one home theater system that pairs up perfectly with any TV or projector. The 5.1 channel speaker arrangement features excellent sound-producing capabilities and offers you an immersive immersive sound experience with its surround sound.

Featuring dual midrange center and satellite spears the Harman Kardon HKTS 16BQ is specially designed and manufactured to perform optimally in all environments and 200 watts of output power means that the sound system adds serious punch to whatever you are listening to.

The entire setup is very decor-friendly and is available in 2 different colors– black and white from which you can choose either one depending on your choice. You can expect reliable performance and long-term durability thanks to the magnetically shielded loudspeaker components that enable the speakers to perform just as well even when placed near other electronics and electrical components.

Pros
  • Available in two colors black or white
  • Excellent 5.1 surround sound performance
  • 200 watts of output power
Cons
  • No HDMI support

6. Onkyo HT-S3900 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker

Onkyo HT-S3900

The HT-S3900 is a low budget home theatre that features analog amplification technology that generates powerful sound with 720 watts of power. The speakers work both in one channel driven or two channel-driven setups to create the best immersive sound that you can expect.

Each speaker is designed to perfection and sports a gloss finish with full-range drivers. The subwoofer is in black with a matte finish and together it fits your home decor easily. The home theater system supports DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD multichannel formats on Bluray discs.

The HT-S3900 has enough connectivity options and lets you connect it to 4K devices via 4 HDMI inputs. The entire setup is also space-saving since the speakers are wall mountable and the initial setup is clean and easy.  This is our pick for the best value home theater system.

Pros
  • Supports 4K devices via HDMI.
  • Wall mountable satellite speakers.
  • Supports DTS and Dolby encoded audio.
Cons
  • No wireless connectivity.

7. Klipsch 5.1 Surround Sound System

Klipsch 5.1

If you want the ease of setting up then this right here is the best 5.1 surround sound system that completely outperforms other soundbars with its true surround sound technology. The Klipsch 5.1 system includes the RW-51M front and rear monitors, the RW-34C center channel speaker, and the RW-100SW subwoofer.

Mix and match to create the best surround sound experience in any configurations from stereo to 5.1 surround sound. The entire setup is true wireless and does not require an A/V receiver or connecting wires of any sort.

Compatible devices can connect to the theater system directly using an AXIIM LINK Wireless Home Theater Transmitter for utmost convenience. The speakers promise to offer close to 0 latency and CD-quality audio thanks to the WiSA technology. Overall speaking, clearly low budget home theatre that you can build slowly.

Pros
  • Components available separately and can be upgraded later.
  • Full wireless compatibility.
  • Zero-latency output.
Cons
  • Bit costly

8. Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V Home Theater Speaker System

Bose Acoustimass 10 Series V

If you know even a bit about audio technology or have looked up some of the best audio equipment then chances are that you have already heard about Bose which is famous for manufacturing state-of-the-art audio solutions for all types of devices.

Bose is no newcomer when it comes to audio components, speakers or microphones, and especially home entertainment systems. A nice surround sound system is what makes a good movie a great movie and this system does just that by delivering excellent bass performance.

Including 4 Direct or Reflecting Series II mountable cube speakers and one horizontal center channel speaker, the Acoustimass is great to pair up with your TV for an awesome movie experience. The theater system also features adjustable controls for low-frequency effects and volume control.

Pros
  • Excellent surround sound capabilities.
  • Unbelievable bass output.
  • Wall mountable speakers.
Cons
  • No wireless support
  • A bit overpriced.

Buying Guide for Budget Home Theater Systems

Here is a list of things that you need and should consider before buying a home theater system.

A TV

Probably the most apparent thing is owning a TV. A home theater is nothing without a good display. It is only when you combine a large flatscreen TV with an excellent sounding sound system you get the complete experience of a home theater.

Size of your room

Yeah! Room size matters. Some systems will offer you super powerful speakers which are overkill if you are going to use them in a living room. Other manufacturers also offer systems with smaller speakers for medium and small rooms. Therefore pick one considering your room size, home decor, and style preference too.

Ease of Use

Sure you get great performance with an all-in-one home theater setup but setting up your own theater with all different components is another type of fun. So if ease of use and the ease of setting up is a priority then we recommend going with an out-of-the-box home theater or else go with separate components.

The number of speakers

Home theater systems are available in a number of different speaker channels and the best of them include 4.0,5.1, and 7.1 channel speaker setups. If you are ready to opt for them then you will probably find surround sound support that adds a new dimension to your sound experience.

Connectivity options

It is best if you can find a system with multiple connectivity options and if it has Bluetooth then you are all ready to go with your wireless devices such as a smartphone. Make sure your system has got HDMI support if you want to connect your TV with the sound system or at least a 3.5 mm jack for audio support.

FAQs

Which is better soundbar or home Theatre?
To be honest, a soundbar can never beat a home theater system at any price point. Surround sound is practically impossible to achieve using a soundbar.
What is the best wattage for a home theater?
Ideally speaking, having 125 watts of power per channel is the best amount of power to have. If you listen to loud music then 150 to 200 watts of power is enough and for soft music listeners, a system with 50 watts output will suffice.
Is 5.1 or 2.1 surround sound better?
It may sound dumb, but if we are talking about similar price points then having speakers is always the better option. On the other hand, a 2.1 surround system from a good manufacturer is much better than a cheap local 5.1 surround system.

Final Words

Basically, to sum it up, a home theater is something that livens up the experience of watching a movie by offering you pure quality sound which honestly speaking is a thousand times better than those crappy speakers that your TV comes with. The TV itself and the sound system is what constitute a complete home theater setup.

In the end, all it boils down to is the fact that you go with something that fits your room decor and preferences. If you do not want to look for hours and hours for the best affordable home theater system then you can pick one from our list.

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