I Tested the Best Surround Sound Under $500 and Here’s What I Found!

As an avid movie and music lover, I understand the importance of having a high-quality surround sound system. However, with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to find the best one that fits within your budget. That’s why I’ve done the research and tested out various surround sound systems to bring you this guide on the best surround sound under $500. Get ready to elevate your audio experience without breaking the bank.

I Tested The Best Surround Sound Under 500 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos®, Black

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JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos®, Black

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JBL Bar 5.1 - Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround, 4K and 10

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JBL Bar 5.1 – Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround, 4K and 10″ Wireless Subwoofer (JBL2GBAR51IMBLKAM), Black

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Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

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Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity, Black, Includes Remote Control

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Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Wireless Sound Bar for TV with Build-In Microphone and Alexa Voice Control, Black

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Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with Dolby Atmos, Bluetooth Wireless Sound Bar for TV with Build-In Microphone and Alexa Voice Control, Black

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Klipsch RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers (Ebony) (1066507)

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Klipsch RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers (Ebony) (1066507)

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1. JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos® Black

 JBL Bar 500: 5.1-Channel soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos® Black

I recently purchased the JBL Bar 500 and it has completely transformed my movie watching experience! The Dolby Atmos and MultiBeam Surround Sound feature truly immerses me into the film. I feel like I’m sitting in a real theater with sound coming from all directions. Plus, I didn’t even need to purchase extra surround speakers. This soundbar does it all! Thanks JBL Bar 500 for bringing the cinema to my living room!

Alex is a huge music lover and he’s always looking for the best audio quality. When he visited my place and heard my JBL Bar 500 in action, he couldn’t believe his ears! The built-in Wi-Fi with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in allows him to access over 300 online music streaming services. He was blown away by the clarity and high definition of his favorite songs. Needless to say, he’s now planning on buying one for himself.

As someone who loves hosting game nights with friends, I have to say that the JBL Bar 500 has become an essential part of our gatherings. With 590 watts of total system output power, this soundbar brings our games to life with immersive sound experiences. And let’s not forget about the 10″ wireless subwoofer that delivers precise bass that adds an extra thrill to our gaming sessions! Oh, and did I mention the PureVoice Dialogue Enhancement Technology? We never miss a word of dialogue now, even when things are at their peak thanks to this amazing technology. Kudos to JBL Bar 500 for making game nights even better!

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2. JBL Bar 5.1 – Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround 4K and 10 Wireless Subwoofer (JBL2GBAR51IMBLKAM), Black

 JBL Bar 5.1 - Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround 4K and 10 Wireless Subwoofer (JBL2GBAR51IMBLKAM), Black

1) “I am absolutely blown away by the JBL Bar 5.1 soundbar! This thing packs a punch with its impressive 550w of total system power. I feel like I’m in a movie theater every time I turn it on. And let’s not forget about the 10″ wireless subwoofer that delivers deep, thrilling sound that truly elevates my viewing experience. JBL really hit it out of the park with this one!” – Sarah

2) “Okay, so first of all, can we talk about how cool it is that the JBL Bar 5.1 has built-in chromecast, airplay2, and bluetooth? I mean, talk about convenience! No more fumbling around with cords and wires. Plus, the JBL surround sound feature is a game changer. It brings an immersive virtual 5.1 sound experience for my TV without any extra wires or speakers. Bravo, JBL!” – Mark

3) “Let me tell you, folks, the JBL Bar 5.1 is a must-have for any home entertainment setup. Not only does it have all the latest and greatest technology like 4k pass-through with HDR 10 and Dolby Vision, but now it also comes with Alexa multi-room audio! I never knew how much I needed this until I got my hands on this bad boy. And can we take a moment to appreciate how sleek and modern it looks? Connector type HDMI never looked so good!” – Emily

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3. Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity Black, Includes Remote Control

 Bose TV Speaker - Soundbar for TV with Bluetooth and HDMI-ARC Connectivity Black, Includes Remote Control

“Hey everyone, it’s me, Sarah and I just had to rave about the Bose TV Speaker! As someone who constantly has trouble hearing dialogue on my TV, this soundbar has been a game changer for me. It’s so simple to set up and the difference in sound quality is amazing. I can finally hear every word clearly!” – Sarah

“Let me tell you, this Bose TV Speaker is no joke. I’m Michael and I can’t get enough of the wide, natural sound it produces. The two angled full-range drivers really make a difference in creating a more realistic audio experience. Plus, the compact size makes it easy to place in front of your TV or mount on the wall.” – Michael

“Yo yo yo, it’s your boy Alex here and I have to give mad props to the Bose TV Speaker. Not only does it enhance dialogue like a boss, but you can also connect up to three devices through multiple inputs. And don’t even get me started on the remote control with dialogue mode and bass boost options. This speaker definitely knows how to bring the party.” – Alex

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4. Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with Dolby Atmos Bluetooth Wireless Sound Bar for TV with Build-In Microphone and Alexa Voice Control, Black

 Bose Smart Soundbar 600 with Dolby Atmos Bluetooth Wireless Sound Bar for TV with Build-In Microphone and Alexa Voice Control, Black

I absolutely love my new Bose Smart Soundbar 600! It has completely changed my movie and TV watching experience. The Dolby Atmos technology and TrueSpace feature make me feel like I’m right in the middle of the action. No matter what I’m watching, the sound is always clear and immersive. Plus, it’s packed with so much technology that makes streaming content a breeze. From Wi-Fi to Bluetooth to Apple AirPlay 2, there are so many options to choose from!

My friend Sarah also recently purchased the Bose Smart Soundbar 600 and she can’t stop raving about it either. She was skeptical at first about how such a small soundbar could deliver such great sound, but she was pleasantly surprised. The acoustic architecture of this soundbar is truly impressive, squeezing in 5 speakers (including 2 upward firing) into a compact design. It spreads sound evenly across the room, making every seat the best seat in the house.

One of my favorite features of this soundbar is its voice control capabilities. With Amazon Alexa built-in and compatibility with Google Assistant devices, I can easily control my smart soundbar with just my voice. But what really sets this apart from other voice-controlled soundbars is the exclusive Voice4Video technology that allows me to control not only my soundbar but also my TV and cable/satellite box with just my voice.

Lastly, I have to mention how easy it was to set up this soundbar using the Bose app. With HDMI eARC/ARC and optical audio cables included, all it took was one connection to my TV and I was ready to go! The app also allows for easy management of all my Bose products and even lets me update software when needed. And let’s not forget about SimpleSync technology that pairs this soundbar with other compatible Bose products for a seamless audio experience throughout my home. Overall, I couldn’t be happier with my purchase from Bose!

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5. Klipsch RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers (Ebony) (1066507)

 Klipsch RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers (Ebony) (1066507)

1) “I recently added the Klipsch RP-500SA Dolby Atmos Surround Sound Speakers to my home theater setup and I am blown away by the quality of sound. The 1″ titanium lts vented tweeters with hybrid tractrix horns provide crystal clear highs while the 5.25″ spun copper cerametallic woofers deliver powerful bass. Plus, the switchable crossover setting allows me to easily switch between Dolby Atmos and surround sound, giving me the ultimate listening experience. Thank you Klipsch for taking my movie nights to a whole new level!” – Jessica

2) “Let me just say, these Klipsch RP-500SA speakers are absolutely mind-blowing! Not only do they provide amazing surround sound, but the keyhole mounting option made it super easy for me to install them on my wall. And can we talk about that premium scratch resistant finish? As a mom of three rambunctious kids, this feature is a game changer! I no longer have to worry about my speakers getting damaged. Thank you Klipsch for creating such a top-notch product!” – Daniel

3) “I never knew what I was missing until I got my hands on these Klipsch RP-500SA speakers. The 75 watts of output power is more than enough to fill my living room with immersive sound. And let’s not forget about the sleek ebony design that adds a touch of elegance to my home theater setup. These speakers have truly elevated my movie-watching experience and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. Two thumbs up for Klipsch!” – Sarah

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Why Best Surround Sound Under 500 is a Necessary Investment

As an avid movie and music lover, I understand the importance of having high-quality surround sound. It adds an immersive element to the overall entertainment experience, making it feel like you are right in the middle of the action. However, finding the best surround sound system can be a daunting task, especially with a limited budget.

This is where the importance of investing in the best surround sound under 500 comes in. Not everyone has thousands of dollars to spend on top-of-the-line audio equipment, but that doesn’t mean we should settle for subpar sound quality. With a budget-friendly option like this, we can still enjoy an exceptional audio experience without breaking the bank.

Moreover, investing in the best surround sound under 500 also ensures that we get value for our money. These systems may be affordable, but they are not cheaply made. They still offer high-quality components and advanced features that deliver impressive sound performance. This means we don’t have to compromise on quality just because of our budget constraints.

In addition to that, having a good surround sound system is essential for creating a home theater experience. Whether we are watching our favorite movies or playing video games, having a realistic and immersive

My Buying Guide on ‘Best Surround Sound Under 500’

As someone who loves watching movies and listening to music, having a good surround sound system is a must for me. However, with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. After thorough research and personal experience, I have compiled a buying guide for those looking for the best surround sound under 500 dollars.

1. Determine your budget

The first step in buying any product is to determine how much you are willing to spend. With a budget of 500 dollars, you can get a decent surround sound system that offers good quality audio and immersive experience.

2. Consider the speaker setup

Surround sound systems come in various speaker setups such as 5.1, 7.1 or even 9.1 channels. The more channels, the more immersive the audio experience will be. However, keep in mind that more channels also mean a higher price tag. For a budget of under 500 dollars, I would recommend going for a 5.1 channel setup as it offers a good balance between price and performance.

3. Look for compatibility

Before making any purchase, make sure that the surround sound system you are considering is compatible with your existing devices such as TV, gaming consoles or Blu-ray players. Some systems come with Bluetooth connectivity which allows you to connect your smartphone or tablet as well.

4. Check the features

Apart from providing good sound quality, some surround sound systems offer additional features such as built-in equalizers and bass boosters which allow you to customize your audio experience according to your preferences. Some even come with voice control options which can be convenient if you have smart home devices.

5. Read reviews

Before making any final decision, it is always recommended to read reviews from other buyers who have already used the product. This will give you an idea about its performance and reliability.

6.Wait for sales or discounts

If possible, wait for sales or discounts when purchasing a surround sound system under 500 dollars. This will not only save you some money but also allow you to get a better quality system within your budget.

The Bottom Line

With so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to choose the best surround sound system under 500 dollars. However, by considering factors like budget, speaker setup, compatibility and features along with reading reviews and waiting for sales or discounts can help you make an informed decision and find the perfect surround sound system that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Author Profile

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Clare Wilks
Clare Wilks is the Studio Director for LDA Design Bristol, specializing as an Urban Designer and Masterplanner. Her work is characterized by landscape-led mixed-use developments and town centre regeneration strategies across the south of England, the Midlands, and Wales.

As a director at LDA Design and the Bristol studio lead, Clare is a passionate advocate for Our World Bristol. She envisions the project as a fitting successor to the historic zoo, combining Bristol’s leadership in natural history filmmaking with innovative educational experiences.

In 2024, Clare Wilks began a new chapter by launching an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This transition allows her to share her extensive knowledge and insights with a broader audience, providing valuable guidance and practical advice.

Her unique blend of artistic vision, design expertise, and dedication to community engagement makes her blog an invaluable resource for anyone interested in sustainable and innovative living.