The 8 Best Wireless Surround Sound Systems of 2024

Can a soundbar replace a full surround sound system?

Short answer? No, it can’t. On its own, a soundbar can greatly enhance TV audio, and modern models often feature spatial audio technology to approximate surround sound, and simulate the effect of having speakers all around you. Ultimately, though, there is no replacement for having an actual speaker projecting sound from behind you.

Even our top non-soundbar pick, the Sony Bravia Theater Quad, which relies heavily on simulated 3D sound, puts speakers around you in four directions so your audio naturally sounds like it’s coming from the front or the back.

What Are ARC and eARC? How Do I Use Them?

ARC (Audio Return Channel) is a feature of the HDMI connection that simplifies audio connectivity between your TV and external audio devices like soundbars or surround sound systems. With ARC, the same HDMI cable that sends video from your audio system to the TV can also carry audio from the TV back to the audio system.

This eliminates the need for a separate audio cable, reducing clutter and making setup easier. Many modern TVs and audio devices feature Enhanced ARC (eARC), which further supports high-resolution formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for even greater sound fidelity.

ARC enables support for high-quality audio formats like Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus, so it’s important to make sure that your soundbar is plugged into an ARC- or eARC-enabled HDMI port. Depending on the TV, you may only have one, so you may need to swap some cables around.

If your TV doesn’t have an ARC port, many soundbars still feature an Optical audio port. Using a Toslink cable, optical audio supports high-quality formats like Dolby Digital and DTS, though it doesn’t have some of the advanced features you get using ARC or eARC. Most notably, optical connections do not support spatial audio. It’s a little less convenient, but better than being forced to upgrade your TV so you can use your new speakers.

What are EQ settings, and why are they important for surround sound?

Equalizer or “EQ” settings allow you to adjust specific audio frequencies, such as bass, mids, and treble, to tailor the sound to your preferences and room acoustics. Properly tuned EQ will make your speakers sound better–dialogue will sound more clear, bass will feel more impactful and the whole soundscape will feel more balanced and immersive.

Most wireless systems come with presets like “Movie,” “Music,” or “Game,” which are optimized for specific content types. Switching among these is a good starting point. For the best results, use manual EQ adjustments or a system’s auto-calibration feature (e.g., Sonos Trueplay) to fine-tune audio to your room.

Finding the right settings for your setup and space takes some trial and error, but here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Boost the midrange frequencies slightly and reduce bass to make dialogue stand out, especially during scenes with heavy background effects or music.
• For cinematic sound, increase bass for impactful low-frequency effects and slightly enhance treble for sharp, dynamic highs.
• Avoid over-boosting mids to prevent crowding out other audio elements.
• For music, aim for a more balanced EQ to ensure vocals, instruments, and bass are equally emphasized.