Soundbars, AV receivers, subwoofers, projectors, and streaming devices — tested in real home setups. We help you build the best system for your space and budget.
Best AV receivers for home theater in 2026: Marantz Cinema 70s, Denon AVR-X2800H, and Yamaha RX-V6A tested and compared.
Best soundbars under $1000 in 2026: JBL Bar 1000, Polk Signa S4, and Sonos Arc Ultra compared for sound quality and value.
The Panasonic DP-UB820-K plays Dolby Vision and HDR10+ from the same deck, adds 7.1 analog audio out and HDR Optimizer tone mapping. The best 4K Blu-ray player for most home theaters.
The Sonos Beam Gen 2 packs Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC, and Sonos multiroom into a 25-inch bar at $499. The best compact soundbar for small and mid-size rooms.
The Denon AVR-S770H is the value AV receiver that finishes a mid-priced Dolby Atmos build. It runs a 5.2.2 system natively, decodes every mainstream surround format including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, and puts 8K/60 and 4K/120 passthrough on three of its six HDMI inputs. Its rated 75W per channel is modest, but paired with high-sensitivity speakers like the Klipsch Reference Premiere II line it drives a real 5.1.2 living-room system without strain. For a first Atmos receiver under $750, it's the sensible pick.
The Denon AVR-X3800H is the best 9.4-channel AV receiver under $2,000. It pairs full HDMI 2.1 — 8K/60, 4K/120, VRR, ALLM on six of seven inputs — with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro, Auro-3D, IMAX Enhanced, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, and a paid Dirac Live upgrade path. For a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 system in a real living room, nothing in this price band is more capable.
The SVS 3000 Micro R|Evolution packs dual-opposing 9-inch drivers, a 1,200W RMS MOSFET amp, XLR inputs, and full app DSP into an 11-inch sealed cube. Deep, tight bass from a sub that hides anywhere — for $999.99.
The WiiM Amp packs a TI TPA3255 class-D power section (60W/ch at 8Ω), an ESS ES9018K2M DAC, HDMI ARC, subwoofer out, RoomFit room correction, and Roon Ready streaming into one $299 box. It undercuts the Sonos Amp by $400 while matching or beating it on features.
The Klipsch RP-500SA II is a switchable Dolby Atmos elevation / surround speaker with a 1" Titanium LTS tweeter and 5.25" Cerametallic woofer. The matching height channel for the RP-600M II, RP-6000F II, and RP-504C II — this is how you turn a 5.1 into a real 5.1.2.
The WiiM Ultra packs an ESS ES9038Q2M DAC, 3.5-inch touchscreen, HDMI ARC, phono, subwoofer out, RoomFit room correction, and Roon Ready streaming into a $329 preamp. The best-value network streamer in 2026.
The NVIDIA Shield TV Pro pairs a Tegra X1+, 3 GB RAM, AI 4K upscaling, Plex Media Server, and full Android TV sideloading into a $199 box. The right streamer for Plex hosts, retro gamers, and anyone outside the Apple ecosystem.
The ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2 pairs a 1" cloth-dome tweeter and a 6.5" aramid-fiber woofer in a front-ported cabinet designed by Andrew Jones. The right pair under $400 for shelf-friendly home theater and music.
The Klipsch RP-6000F II pairs two 6.5" Cerametallic woofers and a 1" Titanium LTS tweeter on a 90°×90° Hybrid Tractrix Horn into a 96 dB-sensitive tower. The front stage of choice for a Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha AVR-based 5.1 in a medium-to-large room.
The Klipsch RP-504C II pairs four 5.25" Cerametallic woofers and a 1" Titanium LTS tweeter on a 90°×90° Hybrid Tractrix Horn. The matching center for the RP-600M II, RP-6000F II, and any Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha AVR-based 5.1.
The Klipsch RP-600M II pairs a 1" Titanium LTS tweeter on a Hybrid Cross-Section Tractrix Horn with a 6.5" Cerametallic woofer in a 96 dB-sensitive bookshelf. The right $749/pair to anchor a Denon, Marantz, or Yamaha AVR-based home theater.
The Sonos Sub 4 brings dual force-cancelling woofers, WiFi 6, and Trueplay tuning to a sealed wireless sub that pairs with the Arc Ultra in one tap. The right bass anchor for a Sonos system — and only a Sonos system.
The SB-1000 Pro is the cheapest sub that gives you the DSP features that actually matter — 12-inch driver, 325W Sledge amp, app-based parametric EQ — and it integrates cleanly with any modern AV receiver.
The LS800 projects a 150-inch 4K HDR image from 4 inches away. Bright enough for daylight viewing, sharp enough for movie nights. The best UST projector under $3,000.
The third-gen Apple TV 4K delivers the fastest, smoothest 4K HDR streaming experience available in a set-top box. If you're in the Apple ecosystem, this is the obvious choice.
The JBL Bar 1000 delivers true 7.1.4 wireless surround by detaching its rear speakers from the soundbar itself. The most immersive soundbar system under $800.
The Cinema 1200 is Klipsch's most powerful soundbar system — 1,200 watts, a 12-inch wireless subwoofer, and four upward-firing Atmos channels. This one shakes walls.
The Cinema 70s is Marantz at its best — warm, musical 7.2-channel Dolby Atmos processing with Dirac Live and HDMI 2.1 in a chassis that looks as good as it sounds.
The Signa S4 is the best budget Dolby Atmos soundbar. Strong dialogue clarity, a wireless subwoofer, and Atmos processing that outperforms its price tag.
The HT-A7000 delivers a 7.1.2 Dolby Atmos experience from a single bar with exceptional height processing. Sony's flagship soundbar is worth every dollar.
The LSX II LT brings KEF's Uni-Q driver technology to a compact wireless package. These are the best-sounding bookshelf speakers you can connect directly to a TV or turntable without an amplifier.
The HW-Q990D is Samsung's flagship soundbar and it earns the title. Eleven speakers, a wireless subwoofer, and rear surrounds deliver a genuine surround-sound experience without running a single wire.
The RX-V6A is the easiest path into 7.2-channel Dolby Atmos. Yamaha's legendary build quality, YPAO auto-calibration, and HDMI 2.1 support make this the best receiver under $700.
The Arc Ultra is Sonos at its finest — expansive Atmos soundstage, clean design, and the easiest setup in its class.
7.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS:X processing, 8K HDMI, and Heos multi-room audio at a price that won't break the bank.