A surround sound system is the final piece in the home cinema package, the very thing that takes the experience from simulated, to very real indeed. For these are days of enormous television screens and home-projectors, and the only thing that most miss in their home cinema is the real surround sound. In order to achieve true surround sound – you need the right speakers, carefully placed about the room to fully immerse yourself in high-quality audio.
A 5.1 Surround Sound system produces five channels of sound, usually from two left speakers, two right speakers and a subwoofer. A full surround sound experience can be gained by placing the speakers effectively around the room.
Sounds expensive and complicated, right? Well, it can be. But it really doesn’t have to be. We have several surround sound speaker packages available here at Audio Affair, which take the fuss and complexities out of setting up an effective surround-sound system. And a fair chunk of the expense too! In fact, here is the definitive list of what you can accomplish in setting up a surround sound system, at home, for under £900. Sounds impossible right? If it was, we wouldn’t be writing about it.
Remember, all of the prices stated here were correct at the time of publishing and may be subject to change.
1. Yamaha NS-P40 – £179.95
We’re starting with the best value package we know of. The rather excellent Yamaha NS P40 will set you back a rather measly £179.95, but delivers a sound that far surpasses the price tag. The versatile satellite speakers are wall-mountable and offer enough volume for a rich, detailed and encompassing sound and their glossy black cabinets are a good match for modern TV designs. And excellent entry-level 5.1 channel system that will soon make you forget you’re at home.
Why do we like it?
It’s fantastic value for money, and a real bargain too. There aren’t many frills of which to speak but don’t let that out you off. The money is in the sound and the style, and this package has it in abundance.
Why do they like it?
‘If you’re on a tight budget then [the] ultra-low price tag might prove too tempting to resist. The satellites’ curvy gloss-black design makes them a snazzy addition to any room, and the inclusion of a powered subwoofer is a bonus.’ (Trusted Reviews)
2. Jamo S426 HCS 3 – £249
Next up in the ‘really quite affordable’ catagory, is the Jamo S426 HCS 3. Now, Jamo have a pretty good rep when it comes to their surround sound capabilities. Their penchant for balanced audio lends itself well to television and film, this is owed to the dual woofers in a reflex-optimized enclosure and a low-resonance tweeter with a Jamo’s Waveguide – an intrinsic element of The Jamo Philosophy. And when a company takes the time to coin its own philosophy, you know you’re in for a good time. The result? Punchy, refined, detailed sound that makes films just that little bit more enjoyable. And if you need something a little more bassy, just add a suitable subwoofer. We’d recommend the SUB 260, if you have a bit of spare cash.
Why do we like it?
It’s just one step away from a great value AV package – and the variation in speaker size and type ensures a varied – yet balanced – delivery. Fantastic value for money, and very customisable too.
Why do they like it?
‘Cheap home cinema speaker packages are like fast food: the bigger they are, the less tasty they tend to be. Happily, Jamos S426 HCS3 breaks with convention by being both astonishingly cheap and really rather good, in a raw, enjoyably enthusiastic fashion…’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
3. Jamo S526 HCS – £432.50
That’s right, the second helping of Jamo! Available in two distinct finishes, this package proves that you can have it all – the looks and the sound – without spending a fortune. This package may be minus a subwoofer (we recommend the SUB 210 if you still fancy one), but its built in dual woofers means you will still get a decent, rich bass without the need of an additional sub. Particularly handy if you don’t have the kind of space that can handle excessive cabinets.
Why do we like it?
The two finish options means it is a suitable addition to both contemporary and traditional décor – and yes, it sounds pretty fantastic too, not to mention powerful. Even without a subwoofer.
4. Mission M Cube 3 – £699
The Mission M Cube 3 is the first in this list to feature a subwoofer, and thus be the first full AV package. And this package brings the phrase ‘good things come in small packages’ to mind. Yes, the woofer is a little large, but its five satellites are tiny, allowing for discreet placement. And as for the sound: it’s powerful, it’s precise and its room filling. Everything you could want from a surround sound system – and still at a very good price, especially considering the sub is included.
Why do we like it?
It’s an excellent way of introducing surround sound without sacrificing too much in the way of space or aesthetic. Mission are good at that. Discreet in looks – but not in sound. Use with film and television favoured over music and you will never be disappointed.
Why do they like it?
‘As innovative and covetable as it was on day one, the Mission is as appealing as ever. Brilliantly discreet [and] larger, more immersive sound than seems credible.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
5. KEF E305 – £899
And of course, the best for last. And you don’t get much better than KEF – even on the home cinema front! Uniquely styled and available in both black and white finishes – this is a package that makes an impression before it even makes a sound. But once it does – my my, does it shine. The sound is seamless, balanced and very generous with detail. It’s a versatile bit of kit too, placeable pretty much anywhere – on stands, walls, on its floorstands – and handles music almost as well as it does film and television. Ease of use is equally as paramount as the sound – and our customers agree. A good all-rounder, and definitely worth the extra spend.
Why do we like it?
The versatility is highly commendable. It will work well within any living space, even the closest of quarters. We probably don’t need to go on about the sound – it’s KEF, you know it’s going to be good.
Why do they like it?
A flexible, room-filling system […] a thoroughly likeable package, with a reasonable price and plenty of reasons that could argue it a place in your living room.’ (What Hi-Fi? Magazine)
That’s it on the speaker package front (for now!) but there’s always a little further you can go. One could argue that a home cinema isn’t quite right if it’s just a standard TV/DVD player set up with excellent audio. Don’t get us wrong – that will do the job. But if you wish to push the boat out a little further, there are some pretty excellent AV receivers which will allow for a multichannel entertainment system to flourish – bringing the sound and audio together into one easy-to-use unit. We can recommend the excellent Pioneer VSX-424 for its great value, exceptional sound quality and extreme user-friendliness, or – if you would like wi-fi to be included, the Yamaha RX-V677 is very much worth your consideration as the latest version of the multi-award winning Yamaha RX-V675… which we currently have on sale at a £200 discount. Just so you know…)
But, if you want to keep your entertainment simple yet hi-end, we can recommend the Yamaha BD-A1040 Blu Ray Player. It isn’t the cheapest on the market, but it takes some beating in pretty much every other department. By far the best sound and vision for under £500. And if you’d like to take it even further still, we wholeheartedly recommend the Oppo BDP-103D Network 3D Blu Ray Player. Does exactly what it says on the tin – in the best possible way.
So there we are. It’s a big commitment to make, but once you’ve made it, you’ll never feel the need to leave the house for entertainment again. They make some fantastic popcorn makers these days too.