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CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of its soundbar and AV system testing, from simple stereo system speakers to Dolby Atmos systems. In the CNET AV Lab, I do comparative testing, pitting similar systems against each other side by side.

I evaluate the performance of each system with a number of different types of content, including movies, music, TV shows and games. I use a number of test scenes, including the opening of Mad Max: Fury Road, for playback of the spatial audio standard Dolby Atmos for systems and sound bars that support it. I also use the Thanator Attack scene of Avatar (26.53) to test a product's dynamics and detail retrieval.

When it comes to music, I use a number of CNET test tracks that you can find here in a Tidal or Spotify playlist. Tracks such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds' Red Right Hand, with its deep bass and tenor vocals, help determine a system's ability to track male voices in particular, without sounding congested. The song also helps with uncovering hidden details and the relative dynamics a speaker system is capable of. Using both types of content -- movies and music -- I then grade the sound quality of each product. I evaluate characteristics such as speech clarity, dynamics/volume, bass response and musical playback.

CNET's dedicated audio lab in downtown New York includes a selection of televisions (with HDMI eARC), plus Apple TV 4K and Roku Ultra streamers, a Microsoft Xbox Series X and an Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player. I also use Roon music software to stream to individual devices or the Oppo player as needed.

Soundbars offer a lot of performance in a compact package and cost much less to get up and running than a speaker system. You can even choose one with advanced features such as Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. Some soundbars offer an upgrade path, including optional subwoofers and rear speakers, which is a great feature.

If you want to truly mix and match speakers, however, an AV receiver is for you. Unlike soundbars, receivers are able to support many more sources including record players and FM radio with six or more HDMI inputs. You can start your system with just a couple of stereo speakers, but given that you can get a full 5.1 Klipsch system for under $500, you don't really need to wait.

Home theater systems are notoriously difficult, with several options and technical specifications to choose from. Here are the most important factors to consider.

Channels

An audio channel is a stream of data encoded into its source, like music or a movie soundtrack. Music is often encoded with two channels, left and right, called stereo sound. These two channels play distinct and separate audio signals, giving you a soundstage. The newest movies and TV shows often have several channels of audio data -- most often five channels plus a subwoofer -- encoded into their source material. If you're looking for the full surround-sound experience, you'll need more channels in your speakers or more speakers to support more channels.

Subwoofer integration

Designed to produce low-pitched frequencies, subwoofers add power and dimension to your home theater sound. Subwoofer integration is the process of using volume and signal processing to blend a subwoofer with an existing system. Soundbar and subwoofer combos do this automatically, but AV receiver owners can use a calibration routine (or do a manual calibration) to add a third-party sub.

Connectivity

You'll want to consider your system's connectivity to make sure all your loose cables are put to use. The most common analog audio connection is a single pair of audio RCAs (the red and white connectors), while a digital coaxial (or digital coax) is most common for digital audio. If you're hoping for a wireless experience, many home theater systems come equipped with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity options to minimize wires. HDMI uses cables to simultaneously transmit digital video and audio. Make sure you know which types of connectivity your TV or projector supports before making a purchase.

Dolby Atmos capability

Dolby Atmos is a technology that adds height channels to traditional stereo and mono audio formats to create a three-dimensional audio experience. The number of channels is expressed as x.x.x, where the first number is surround channels, the second is subwoofers, and the last is heights, e.g., 5.1.2. If you're looking for a more realistic and immersive audio experience, you'll want to make sure your home theater system supports Dolby Atmos.

Sony STR-AN1000 Receiver: Sony went away for a couple of years but came back better than ever with the STR-AN1000. This model offers all of the latest features, including HDMI 2.1 (4K/120Hz) support. It includes "works with Sonos" certification, but the reason to buy it is that it's a solid performer, especially with video games. To learn more about its latest features, read our full Sony STR-AN1000 review.

Yamaha RX-A4A Receiver: The Yamaha is great for a home theater receiver, but doesn't sound as good with music streaming. Still, as the Onkyo offers balanced performance across both, it's my current favorite. Learn why it might fall short in our full Yamaha RX-A4A review.

Fluance XL8F Tower Speakers: Want the biggest sound? You'll need big speakers. The fit and finish of the large Fluance XL8 towers is unmatched by other speakers at its price. The sound of the XL8F is open and thrilling but never shrill, and when fed a movie soundtrack, these speakers simply zing. They're no slouch with music either. If you truly want the maximum speaker for your money, the huge Fluance XL8F has no equal. Read more about them in our full Fluance XL8F review.