SURROUND SYSTEMS

WHARFEDALE DX-2

Wharfedale has a proud tradition over many years of proving that bagging a good surround sound speaker system doesn’t have to cost the earth. The latest and quite possibly greatest example of this is the brand’s DX-2 system which, despite costing just £399, produces punchy, deftly balanced, dynamic and surprisingly bass-rich sound from a small but well-built combination of four smart bookshelf speakers, a healthy-sized subwoofer and a dedicated centre channel.

£399, wharfedale.co.uk

KRIX 11.1.10 IN-WALL SYSTEM

If money really is no object and you want a home theatre that crushes most commercial cinemas, an in-wall system from Australian brand Krix is the stuff of dreams. Krix can provide configurations galore, but we know from personal experience that an 11.1.10 system comprising the monumental MX40 screen speaker array, Cyclonix 12 rear channels, three Megaphonix Centres, eight Megaphonix Flat speakers and seven Phonix height effect speakers sounds so spectacular it hurts. In a good way.

£53,000 total, invisionuk.com

LOGITECH Z906 SYSTEM

And now for something completely different. For starters, the Z906 package is the only system here that ships with a multi-channel amplifier. A 500W amp, in fact, with support for six compatible sources via a variety of audio connectors. Next, while it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, its sound has earned quality certification from the independent THX organisation. Finally, the relative immediacy and tightness of its sound makes it a particularly effective option for gamers.

£349.99, logitech.com

DALI OBERON ‘ON-WALL’ SYSTEM

For haters of speaker clutter who don’t fancy eviscerating walls to accommodate in-wall speakers, Dali’s Oberon on-wall models are a genius alternative. These elegant, lightweight speakers combine unusually large 29mm soft dome tweeters with down-firing bass ports and Dali’s trademark soft magnetic compound wood-fibre woofers to deliver powerful, detailed sound from cabinets just 120mm deep. Partner four Oberon on-wall speakers with the Oberon Vokal centre and Sub E9-F subwoofer for best results.

£1,826 total, dali-speakers.com

SONY HT-A9

Comprising just four relatively small and unusually circular speakers rather than the usual five or, if a subwoofer is involved, six, Sony describes the A9 as a 360 Spatial Sound Mapping system. This describes the way a combination of the speakers’ innovative design and clever processing can generate a remarkable 12 phantom speakers, creating a remarkably immersive and detailed sound stage with minimal impact on your decor.

£1,599, sony.co.uk