Are you searching for the best sound system for the PS5 or Xbox Series X|S? Then, I will give you the top options you can select for your console and home entertainment. And this is important as a good setup at home with an excellent quality surround system can make a big difference, especially if you don't use a gaming headset or plan to have both to take advantage of both consoles' immersive sound.
There are a lot of games such as Call of Duty, Halo, Fortnite, and many others, that recognizing the source of any sound is vital, as any noise that the enemy makes like walking, running, or shooting, can reveal their location and therefore improve your performance. The most common way to recognize the sound source is through a good headset like most gamers do, but if you have a decent set of 5.1 speakers or a soundbar with several drivers in the right place, you will also have the same effect.
It is important to consider that the perfect sound system depends on your personal preferences, setup and the space available, as it is different from selecting an excellent system for a spacious living room than a close-range setting such as the typical gaming desk. Therefore, I will suggest the best options depending on the space and the budget.
The Xbox Series X has Dolby Atmos available, probably one of the best surround formats at home that you could probably have for a multi-channel setting. Also, it has available DTS:X, which is another excellent option for immersive gameplay and movies. However, buying a home theatre, soundbar, or set of speakers that supports these 3D formats can be more expensive than a standard sound system.
Sony decided to use its own engine called Tempest 3D AudioTech, which is very efficient for headsets and recently for TV in-built speakers but is currently not available for soundbars and multichannel sound systems. However, you can still connect your sound device to your PS5 and in the menu, adjust the Audio format for gaming to linear PCM, which will give you the best sound quality that is possible. Now, if you are planning to watch a movie using Blu-ray, you will need to select either bitstream (Dolby) or bitstream (DTS), depending on which format the film supports. Also, from the menu, you can adjust the speaker position depending on the locations of each channel in your room.
Connecting your sound system usually is through HDMI ARC (1 Mbit / second), digital optical (384 Kbits / second), or 3.5mm connection to your Tv or monitor. However, if you want to use Dolby Atmos or DTS:X surround sound, the proper connection is through HDMI eARC (available on top TVs), which is the connection that allows more significant bandwidth (37 Mbits/second) for better sound quality and 7.1 channels.
Also, you have the option to enable CEC on your TV in order to control your sound system volume with your TV controller and avoid multi-controllers.
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I selected the three best options that you can get in 3 categories:
Best budget wired speaker and soundbars
If you are looking for the best sound system for a PS5 and Xbox Series X|S for a medium-size room or a desk setup with the console connected to a monitor, there are excellent budget speakers and soundbars 5.1 that you should consider if you want an immersive experience with surround sound quality.
1) Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System, THX, Dolby & DTS Certified
Best wired 5.1 speakers
As an outstanding multichannel speaker that can deliver excellent sound quality and a true surround experience for gaming on any console, the Logitech Z906 with THX-certified surround sound is the one that you need to consider as it can deliver at a relatively affordable price excellent sound quality and true surround experience for gaming on any console. It provides 500 Watts of power output (1000W peak) in total. Also, it supports Dolby Digital and DTS, which for its price, is a good option to consider. The surround experience is delightful as you can spot the sound source while playing if the satellite speakers are in the right place. Therefore it's recommended to use speaker stands or wall-mount. The subwoofer is small but produces a powerful bass that does not distort when pushed to the limits.
The Z906 has a central console that you can use to adjust the volume, source and surround sound. However, It would be nice if the central console had an equaliser to balance the sound. Also, it comes with a quite simple remote controller for the main functions.
This system is recommended for a small-medium room size or for a gaming desk setup with a console connected to a monitor. Also, you can connect the Z906 to your Tv or monitor using audio sources with digital optical, digital coaxial, RCA audio or 3.5 mm output.
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2) Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2 5.1 Multi-Channel Gaming Soundbar with Subwoofer
Best mid-budget soundbar for a monitor- console setup
The Creative Sound blaster Katana V2 5.1 is the latest soundbar that replaces a successful first version. It is a top choice if you are looking for a multichannel soundbar that can deliver good sound positioning while playing games or watching movies. Also, the sound can be enhanced and tuned with its very complete software and Application depending on your gaming style and preferences. The soundbar has a very helpful display, and also it comes with LED lights that are improved from its previous version and are configurable. The Subwoofer that is wired to the soundbar produces a very decent punchy sound that won't disappoint, and it is very enjoyable while playing car games such as Forza or Gran Tourismo as it makes your desktop shake.
The power output is 126 W(RMS) (252 W Peak), and the frequency range is 50-20.000 Hz. In terms of connectivity, it has many useful options for any setup such as HDMI (Arc), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, Optical-in, AUX-in, and SXFI-out.
With the Katana V2, you'll enjoy a very good immersive experience during your gaming journey. Nevertheless, if you are looking for a soundbar for your TV setup in a big space, this option is not recommended, as better options are available on the market for such purposes.
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3) RAZER Leviathan: Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound with Subwoofer
Best budget soundbar for a monitor- console setup
The Razer Leviathan is a small and more affordable soundbar with a subwoofer that is also an excellent option if you are planning to play with your console from close-range audio like a desk setup. It provides a very good virtual surround sound when is placed close in front of you. Through the combined technology of Dolby Virtual Speakers, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Pro Logic II, it is possible to locate any sound's source. Additionally, The 5.25-inch subwoofer has a very good bass that provides outstanding low frequencies without distortion.
The Leviathan has available Bluetooth V4.0 Aptx, 3.5mm aux in and optical in connection. The Frequency range for this soundbar is 180 Hz - 20 kHz.
Similar to the katana V2, this soundbar is not the right option for a TV setup as the surround sound is practically absent from a long distance.
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Best soundbars for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S with Dolby Atmos and DTS X
If you are looking for the best sound system for a medium to large room size and your console is connected to a TV, a soundbar system can be a great option for this type of setup. Even currently, the top soundbars have the technology to use the walls and ceiling of your room to create a proper 3D sound in your house. Therefore, if your room has a flat ceiling rather than one with different angles and is not very high, the surround sound will be magnificent.
Quality soundbars can sometimes be more expensive than the traditional system that requires receivers or amplifiers. However, this is an option for people who dislike having many visible cables around, especially when several speakers are deployed in the room.
It is vital to consider that you need to connect the soundbar to an eARC HDMI on your TV if you want to experience Dolby Atmos for the Series X and surround sound for the PS5, or at least the best possible sound. Also, the HDMI cables must be for a 2.1 HDMI as these high-quality formats need a high-speed data cable.
1) Sony HT-A7000 7.1.2ch 500W Dolby Atmos Sound Bar + Sony SA-SW5 300W Wireless Subwoofer + Sony SA-RS5 Wireless Rear Speakers
Best soundbar system overall
If you want to experience the best immersive surround sound in your medium to large living or gaming room while playing video games, watching movies, and listening to music, the HT-A7000 soundbar system together with the wireless rear speakers SA-RS5 wireless and the Subwoofer SA-SW5 is your best option.
The large soundbar (53 inches) has an incredible and crisp multichannel sound with a built-in subwoofer that has decent sound but is not as perfect as combining the soundbar with the SW5 subwoofer. And if you integrate the two wireless rear speakers into the whole system, the surround experience while playing video games or watching movies is top-class. The entire system is relatively easy to set up since it's wireless and there are clear instructions. Additionally, Sony offers easy pairing and a system that automatically adjusts the sound depending on where the speakers and subwoofer are placed.
The soundbar comes with 2 HDMI 2.1 that are perfect for 4K gaming at 120fps, and an optical input if the TV doesn't support ARC or eARC, analogue connection, USB and S-center out if your TV has the available options. Also, you can download an application to your iPhone or Android mobile for multiple sound adjustments.
The two high-quality rear speakers (SA-SW5) have a 180W power output, a built-in battery that lasts 10 hours with quick charging and an active sound field optimization button that you can use to calibrate the surround sound every time you move the speaker to a different spot.
The price tag for the entire system can be expensive as it is over 2K, but the sound quality is superior compared to the best soundbars in the market, such as the Samsung Q950A, Sonos Arc system, Bose 900 or the Nakamishi shockwave. Although expensive, the investment will definitely provide you with top-quality surround sound and entertainment at home for years to come.
Still, there is an option to downgrade the system as the soundbar can be combined with other rear speakers/subwoofer and save some cash by selecting the Subwoofer SA-SW3 which can noticeable have less performance than the powerfull SA-SW5, however, it is more than enough if your room is not big or you are not a big fan of a very punchy subwoofer. Also, you can select the RS3S surround speakers that also provide a very good surround sound quality.
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2) SAMSUNG HW-Q990C 11.1.4ch Soundbar w/Wireless
Best soundbar system - Price/quality
The Q990C is the best quality-price soundbar to connect to your TV and get an immersive experience while playing, as the sound is crisp and powerful. For the price, quality and what it offers, this option is the best if you compare its relatively good price with the sound quality. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS-X, which are the best surround formats for a multichannel system. The Q990C also comes with two wireless rear speakers that have excellent sound and a wireless subwoofer that is well-balanced compared with other options like the Sonos Arc Subwoofer. The system requires a bit of adjustment to make it work perfectly, but as soon as you set it well, the surround sound will impress you.
This is the best option for a gamer looking for a price/quality soundbar that can deliver a true surround experience in your gaming room without many cables around.
The connections available for the soundbar are eARC, 2 x HDMI, optical input and Bluetooth.
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Best AV receiver for PS5 and Xbox Series X
If you want to build a traditional 5.1 system or above to get the best of the best in sound, you will need an AV receiver to match the two consoles' specs in Audio and Video. However, it is crucial to ensure that the receiver is the adequate one as all the imaging capabilities can get lost when you plug your console into the receiver and then pass it to the TV. This has been an issue with the most popular receivers such as Yamaha, Denon and Marantz, as a bug does not allow 4K 120 fps using the ultra-fast 2.1 HDMI. However, some Denom and Marantz now support PS5, but the issue is currently persisting with the Series X.
The connection for any of these receivers with the Xbox Series X has to be AVR to TV (eARC HDM1 2,1), TV (HDMI 2.1) to Xbox X|S ideally.
However, Denon and Marantz are giving a free adapter that solves the issue with the Series X. the owners of the affected serials can fill out a form and receive it at no cost.
Using an AVR is probably the most complex way to have a home theatre. You also need to buy a good set of speakers, a subwoofer, the right cables for the whole system, and require extra knowledge to integrate all the equipment and set the best configuration for all the devices connected. However, it creates an opportunity to build a top-quality immersive surround system that is difficult to find in a soundbar or a typical home theatre. Also, it can be an opportunity to expand your knowledge and play with a very flexible system adapting components that you can get from multiple places, either new or second-hand.
Denon AVR-X2700H 7.2ch
Best mid-range AVR
Denon AVR-X2700H is a midrange AV 8K receiver with 95W per channel. It has fully supported 3D audio formats such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, as well as Dolby Vision, the latest HDMI specifications such as 8K/60Hz, 4K/120Hz pass-through and upscaling, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, ALLM, as well as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduces or eliminates lag and frame tearing to offer a smoother, lag-free gaming experience.
The receiver is perfect for the price range as more expensive references have extra options. But, considering the two console's specs, this AVR is more than enough for most people for the price and what it offers. Also, the X2700H delivers everything that you need for an outstanding surround sound home theatre with seven speakers without affecting the image quality.
If you select the correct setting in your TV and the AVR, the PS5 can fully deliver 4K 120 fps. For the Xbox Series X, you will need either the adapter or to connect the console and the receiver to the TV, as I explained before.
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You can claim your adapter in the US. http://www.denon.com/en-us/hdmiadapter
You can claim your adapter in the UK. http://www.denon.com/en-gb/hdmiadapter
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