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Feel the music’s bass in your body. Watch sports games as if you were on the sidelines. Hear the explosions in action movies like you’re at the cinema. Thanks to wireless surround sound systems, you can have all this without ever leaving the comfort of your home.
New technology allows for better sound quality than ever, and you don’t have to drill holes in your wall or trip over wires, either. So grab a tub of popcorn and read on to see how these wireless surround speakers can take your listening and viewing experience to a whole new level.
| Best Overall | Best Smart | Best Wireless Connection |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 eARC SSE Max | Sonos Arc | Enclave CineHome Pro |
| View On Amazon | View On Amazon | View On Amazon |
| Read Review | Read Review | Read Review |
What Are Wireless Surround Systems?
The easiest way to explain a wireless surround sound is by comparing it to traditional surround systems. Surround sound is having sound surround you from 360 degrees instead of just coming from in front of you in a two-dimensional plane.
A typical setup for a traditional, wired surround system is the 5.1 configuration, which consists of six channels. The number five represents the number of speakers, and the one symbolizes the subwoofer dedicated to bass frequencies. Rather than hearing sound through the TV speakers, the system works by instead sending a digital audio signal to the surround sound receiver, which then interprets that signal and transmits the sound to the appropriate channel.
As you may have guessed, the big difference between wired and wireless surrounds is connectivity. Instead of the wired connection between the AV receiver and the speakers, a wireless surround system will use a soundbar or other wireless transmitter to deliver audio to the system’s speakers via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or WiSA technology.
Are These Systems Really Wireless?
Search “wireless sound system,” and you might be confused by the results. Are these systems truly wireless? While a “wireless” system can mean many things, it will never mean completely wire-free.
In the case of a soundbar, it connects directly to the television and also requires a power source. Then, the auxiliary speakers, additional subwoofers, etc., connect to the system via your home’s Wi-Fi signal and/or using Bluetooth. This allows you to place additional speakers around the room (or house) and control them via your smartphone app. That being said, in many cases, wireless systems have speakers and/or subwoofers that need to be plugged into a power outlet.
Are Wireless Sound Systems Good?
True audiophiles will tell you that wireless setups can’t compete with wired ones. That said, sometimes you can’t have wires running through your home. For example, if you live in an apartment, a wireless system is a good option. Soundbars are also a good option for those who have small spaces or value convenience over top audio performance.
What Is The Best Wireless Surround Sound System?
As technology shifts to wireless, more companies will come out with their own version of a wireless home theater system or update theirs to be more competitive. However, we’ve narrowed it down to these as our top three picks in our wireless surround sound technology reviews.
Best Overall: Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC SSE Max Review
If you have a large space and want a wireless system capable of filling your entire room with sound, consider the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC SSE Max. This system’s unique 9.2.4 setup includes a soundbar, four satellite speakers, and two large subwoofers to enhance your sound experience. The speakers can sit horizontally or vertically, and there are six different configurations based on your room.
This model has some great features, including HDMI Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) connectivity, which offers better bandwidth and speed than its predecessor, ARC. HDMI eARC enables lossless audio, 4K HDR and Dolby Vision video, and an improved variable refresh rate (VRR) for gaming consoles.
The Shockwafe Ultra 9.2 eARC SSE Max also features Nakamichi’s Spatial Surround Elevation (SSE) tech, which allows you to choose between three soundscape presets based on the size of your space for a better surround sound experience.
This sound system is excellent for movies and music, but it really shines when it comes to TV shows and other podcasts, thanks to its dialogue enhancement tool. The soundbar supports many different audio formats, including Dolby Atmos.
What Is Dolby Atmos?
Dolby Atmos is a revolutionary spatial audio technology that provides a more immersive sound experience from the comfort of your home. It builds on surround sound by introducing height channels to the audio mix. Dolby Atmos also enables finer control over individual sounds for a more extensive range of dynamic movement and depth.
What’s In The Box
This sound system setup includes a soundbar, 2 side surround speakers (RCA connection to subwoofers), 2 rear surround speakers (RCA connection to subwoofers), 2 wireless subwoofers, a remote control, bundled cables, and a wall-mounting kit.
Pros/Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gets loud | No room calibration function |
| EQ presets | No Wi-Fi, Apply AirPlay, or Google Chromecast capabilities |
| Compatible with 4K HDR and Dolby Vision | |
| Supports Dolby Atmos | |
| Good mixed usage (TV, podcasts, music, and movies) |
Pricing & Specs
- $1,499.99
- Audio channels: 9.2.4 with 18 total speaker drives
- Connectivity: Aux, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD, Coaxial in, HDMI, HDMI eARC, Optical in, and USB Type-A
- Audio format compatibility: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, DTS Digital Surround, LPCM 7.1, LPCM 5.1, and PCM 2.0
Best Smart: Sonos Arc Review
The Sonos Arc is a soundbar with built-in voice assistant capabilities that can be easily integrated into your smart home. This product is for you if you want a quality, ready-to-use sound system right out of the box. The Sonos Arc supports various audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, and it can be connected to other Sonos products to listen to audio throughout your home or to build an Ultimate Immersive Set with Arc for superior surround sound performance.
The Sonos Arc stands out thanks to a few specific features. First, its Trueplay tuning technology analyzes the acoustics of your home to optimize the speaker’s EQ so that sound is perfectly tuned for the space. Keep in mind that this room correction feature is only available through iOS.
Its various audio format compatibilities ensure it performs well with TV shows, movies, and music. The Arc performs exceptionally well for TV shows and other dialog-heavy formats. Its center channel is designed to improve vocal reproduction, and you can also use the dialog enhancement tool to enhance vocals.
As a standalone bar, you won’t get the rumbling low-bass when listening to some music genres or during action-packed movie scenes. Plus, the lack of satellite speakers reduces the overall cinematic experience. However, this can be fixed by purchasing additional wireless Sonos pieces. Sonos has also partnered with IKEA to offer other various home speakers that pair with the Arc.
What’s In The Box
This sound system includes a soundbar, audio adapter, HDMI cable, and power cable.
Pros/Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works with Alexa and Google virtual assistants | No full EQ |
| Supports Dolby Atmos | No Bluetooth connectivity |
| Room calibration feature (iOS only) | Compression artifacts at max volume |
| Quality stereo soundstage | No full HDMI in |
| Sleek design |
Pricing & Specs
- Soundbar: $879.00
- Audio channels: 5.0.2 with 11 speaker drivers
- Connectivity: HDMI eARC, LAN (RJ45), Optical, and Wi-Fi
- Audio format compatibility: Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, Multichannel PCM, Dolby Multichannel CSM, and DTS Digital Surround
- Streaming support: AirPlay, Apple Music, Google Play Music, Sonos App, and Spotify
For a more cinematic sound, consider also purchasing a subwoofer and additional speakers:
Sonos has also collaborated with IKEA to create the SYMFONISK collection of Wi-Fi speakers. These speakers are available exclusively from IKEA.
| Optional Extenders | Price |
|---|---|
| IKEA SYMFONISK Bookshelf Speaker | $119.99 |
| IKEA SYMFONISK Lamp Speaker | $249.99 |
| IKEA SYMFONISK Floor Lamp Speaker | $299.99 |
| IKEA Symfonisk Picture Speaker | $259.99 |
Best Wireless Connection: Enclave CineHome PRO Review
If you’re interested in the latest tech, the Enclave CineHome PRO surround system is worth your attention. This system uses WiSA technology to transmit up to eight channels of uncompressed 24-bit/96 kHz high-resolution audio on wireless frequencies that won’t interfere with your Bluetooth or Wi-Fi bandwidth. The CineHome Pro is also a THX-certified system, which ensures high-quality sound reproduction. You can learn more about THX certification via its website.
Connect the CineHub wireless transmitter to your TV via HDMI cable to set up your system. Each speaker and subwoofer will also need to be connected to power outlets. Once they’re connected, you’ve got a complete home theater—no receiver or speaker cables required. For those looking for more than an extended soundbar system, you’ll appreciate this full 5.1 surround sound system.
Speakers can sit horizontally or vertically based on your needs, and the system balances the entire frequency range with superior performance. This THX-certified system gets very loud, and the audio stays crisp regardless of the volume level.
While WiSA technology offers many benefits—seamless wireless audio integration, exceptional sound quality, zero latency, and interference-free listening—it’s also a newer technology with less brand recognition than other technologies.
What Is WiSA?
WiSA (Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) aims to offer a more immersive audio experience for technology users. The technology was specifically developed to deliver high-quality sound wirelessly, allowing up to eight channels of uncompressed 24-bit/96 kHz high-res audio with no audible lag.
What’s In The Box
This sound system setup includes a wireless transmitter, 1 center speaker, 2 left and right speakers, 2 full range rear speakers, 1 subwoofer, HDMI cable, power cords, and a remote control.
Pricing & Specs
- $1,798.98
- Audio channels: 5.1 with 14 total speaker drivers
- Connectivity: Aux, Bluetooth 5.0, HDMI ARC, and Optical
- Audio format compatibility: Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Pro Logic II, and DTS Digital Surround
Pros/Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| THX-certified sound | No Dolby Atmos |
| WiSA wireless technology | No Wi-Fi streaming |
| Simple setup | No HDMI eARC |
| Works with TV remote or universal remote | |
| Customizable EQ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about wireless surround sounds. Don’t see yours? Ask us in the comments.
Is There A Surround Sound With No Wires?
Currently, there is no surround sound system that uses absolutely no wires. Wireless surround sounds differ from traditional setups because the speakers you install are connected over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth instead of cables. Your speakers communicate with each other and the TV without wiring, but you’ll likely still need to connect the speakers and other components to power outlets. Alternatively, the speakers may be completely wireless, but you’ll need to connect the soundbar to the TV via an HDMI cable and plug it into the wall for power.
How Do Wireless Home Theater Speakers Get Power?
Most wireless speakers plug into an ordinary power outlet via an AC power cable. Some systems use rechargeable batteries to be fully “wireless,” but require frequent charging. Good sound amplification requires lots of power, so the speakers would require constant recharges, making this an impractical option.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Wireless Speakers?
While wireless speakers have the benefits of portability, they may suffer from latency, interference, and battery issues. You’ll also need to ensure your wireless speakers are compatible with your system.
How Does Wireless Surround Sound Connect To The TV?
Your soundbar or other transmitter connects to your TV via HDMI or an optical cable to send audio out from the TV.
Best Bluetooth Speakers
We expect to see many changes in this category so visit this article often for additions and updates. If you’re looking for something that’s a bit smaller and portable (with high-quality sound), bluetooth speakers might be a better route for you to go.
What do you think is the optimal wireless surround sound speaker setup? Let us know in the comments!
Why Trust Safe Smart Living?
Tara has written about various audio-visual topics, including TV technology, speakers, cameras, and more. She knows that the dream of having a home theater rivaling that of a trip to the cinema is popular among cinephiles, and she’s dedicated to helping consumers find the best products to suit their needs. For this article, Tara spent 11+ hours researching and writing about wireless surround sound systems. She also owns a 5.1 wireless surround sound system for her home.
