Introduction
Whether you like to relax with some music after a long hard day or you like partying with friends into the wee hours of the night, a home music system will be a great addition to your living room or game room. Even if you spend most of your listening time alone, it will greatly enhance the experience – headphones can only get you so far. You can also use these music systems as home theatres. Is your favourite movie releasing soon but all the theatres are closed? Bring the theatre home! The best home theatres can recreate the atmosphere of an actual cinema hall and, of course, produce great music. There are many options to choose from in India today. Some might even say a tad too many options.
With the vast number of music systems available on the market, it can be difficult to zero in on a particular model. To help you do just that, we have compiled a comprehensive review of the best music systems in India. Whether you are looking for the best music system for home, the best music system for apartment, or the best 5.1 home theatre system in India, we have got you covered. Also, if you would like to come to a decision yourself, you can check out our detailed buying guide below. In this guide, we have considered every factor that could affect your purchase to make sure that you get a system according to your requirements. All the music systems we have listed are available on Amazon India.
What Is A Home Theatre System?
A home theatre, or home cinema as it’s often called, is an entertainment system that aims to create the atmosphere of an actual theatre in your living room.
Best Music Systems – Quick Comparison
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Types of Home Theatre Music Systems
There are several kinds of home music systems available. Each type takes care of specific requirements and which one you buy depends on said requirements. Below are some of the major types of home theatre music systems.
Home Theatre
A home theatre music system is the type that can provide the most immersive sound experience. It goes beyond a good visual experience with speakers at various positions to produce a realistic surround sound. While a good home theatre setup can provide a great experience, it requires a certain amount of planning. You will need a room of suitable dimensions. Also, some setups use tasteful lighting and also soundproofing.
Soundbar
A soundbar is a type of speaker whose length is much greater than its height. This makes it possible to create a surround sound effect without installing multiple speakers in different locations. They are normally cheaper than home theatres at the cost of sound quality and fidelity. Soundbars are also quite compact and can easily be mounted anywhere.
Soundbar With Subwoofer
While soundbars do a decent job of playing your music, they often fall short in the bass department. If you like your bass nice and heavy, buying a soundbar paired with a subwoofer is a good idea. The subwoofer is designed specifically to produce low-frequency notes and thus is a good option to fill in the gaps left by a soundbar. Of course, you will need extra space for the subwoofer.
Soundbar Home Theatre System
This type of music system is a combination of the soundbar and the home theatre. The soundbar and each of the other speakers can be tuned to suit your auditory needs.
Tower Speakers
Tower speakers are floor-mounted speakers that are usually more powerful than a soundbar. If chosen right, they can also be aesthetically pleasing. In general, they can produce a wider range of sounds without compromising on quality as they have dedicated drivers for each frequency range. However, they are a lot bulkier than soundbars and often look out of place in small rooms.
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Top Music System Brands In India
Let us take a look at some of the top brands that offer music systems and home theatres in India.
Sony
Sony is one of the oldest electronics brands. While their smartphones usually divide opinions, their audio products are of extremely high quality. As such, they have earned their customers’ trust, and their prices are reasonable too.
Philips
Philips is another brand that consumers trust. They offer good-quality products that do not burn a hole in your wallet, coupled with great customer service.
BoAt
BoAt is one of the newer names in the business as it is barely five years old. Based in India, they manufacture a range of audio hardware. Many of their products are aimed at the gaming community in particular.
JBL
JBL is an American brand owned by audio product giant Harman. Though their products are a bit more expensive than the competition, they have the quality to justify those prices.
Logitech
Logitech is a brand that is more famous for its computer peripherals. However, they also offer a good range of audio products like speakers and music systems that produce high-quality sound.
Top Music Systems In India – Review
Bose SoundTouch Wireless Speaker
First, on the list, we have the wireless speaker offering by one of the best brands on the market, Bose. Coming in at a price point of under thirty-five thousand, it packs in some beautiful features that make it one of the best music systems under thirty-five thousand. Firstly, you can seamlessly link it to your phone through the SoundTouch app. It allows easy access to music services such as Spotify. Secondly, it comes with Internet radio and music library playlists with six personalised presets. Apart from this, you can seamlessly control the speaker wirelessly through the Wi-Fi network in your home. The single USB port and Bluetooth technology are additional noteworthy features.
Additional Features
The infrared remote that comes along with the product provides the standard features that include play/pause/skip apart from presets and volume controls. The AUX input allows for audio connections from other sources, thereby making it an extremely versatile device. A great feature of this product is the ethernet port. If you plan to have a wired connection to your home network, you have the option to accomplish it through this product. The high-quality OLED display provides information about the song and station info, in case you make use of the Internet radio feature. Through this, you can eliminate picking up your phone and looking up the information. All of these nifty and worthwhile features make the Bose SoundTouch one of the best music systems for small cafes.
Bose Solo 5 Soundbar Sound System
Here’s another excellent product by Bose, the famous American audio equipment manufacturer. Coming in at a price point of under twenty thousand, it targets the higher end of the mid-tier price segment. The music system packs in some exquisite features that should make it worthy of your consideration. Let us take a look at some of these features in greater detail.
Firstly, the single soundbar will surely provide a much better audio experience that the inbuilt speakers of your TV. Secondly, Bose has also incorporated a proprietary feature known as the dialogue mode that ensures that every spoken word and detail stands out. Thirdly, the superior-quality Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stream music wirelessly from any of your devices. It makes the product one of the best music systems for restaurants. The Bluetooth of the Bose Solo 5 has a range of up to ten metres. You should note that performance can be impacted by obstacles such as walls, metal, or signal interference from Wi-Fi networks and other wireless devices. However, these are minuscule, and you will not be able to notice them. Apart from this, the product also comes with a universal TV remote.
Additional Features
The flexible nature of the music system allows you to position it on your TV table or mount it on the wall or your shelf using the WB-120 wall mount. Last but not least, the high-quality bass is a sure-fire way to get the best dance moves from your guests, making it one of the best music systems for parties. All of these features make the Bose Solo 5 Soundbar System one of the best music systems under twenty thousand.
Sony HT-RT3 Soundbar Home Theatre System
Up next on the list, we have the Sony HT-RT3 Soundbar Home Theatre system. Sony is known to make exceptional products, and their soundbar music system is no exception to this rule. It comes in at a price point of under twenty thousand, thus making it an excellent choice in the higher end of the mid-tier price segment. One of the best features of this product is the six-hundred-watt output power. It makes the product one of the best music systems for dance studios. With this product, you can enjoy those impressive dance moves to the fullest. The product weighs around eleven kilograms making it one of the more massive music systems. You can also enjoy high-quality Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound with this product. If you want to bring a theatre-like experience to your home, this product will surely not disappoint.
Additional Features
Other noteworthy features of this product include NFC and the subwoofer. You can easily connect the music system to your phone’s Bluetooth through NFC. With Sony’s ClearAudio+, you can be sure to get the best possible audio experience. There’s also the option of USB audio playback. Using the Songpal application, you can easily browse through the music list of your pen drive. All of these excellent features we have just seen, make the Sony HT-RT3 one of the best music systems under twenty thousand.
Logitech Surround Speaker System
Here’s another music system targeting the sub-twenty-thousand price point. It has dimensions of 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm and a weight of sixteen kilograms, making it a slightly heavy product—the surround speaker system offering by Logitech packs in some noteworthy features. Firstly, it delivers a maximum output power of a thousand watts or around five hundred RMS watts. The explosive bass that this product provides makes it one of the best music systems for home gyms. It also comes with a cable with a length of 1.8m. The system frequency response of this product is 35 Hz – 20 kHz. Finally, with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, you can enjoy a cinema-like experience right from the comfort of your sofa. It makes the product one of the best music systems for lounges and living rooms.
Additional Features
The remote that the product includes packs in some nifty features. Also, you can independently adjust the volume levels of each satellite speaker and the subwoofer. Also, you can control the power and mute all from the control panel or using the remote control. Another great feature of this product is that you can choose your listening experience by selecting either the 2.1, 4.1 or the 3D surround sound. All of these features make the Logitech Surround Speaker one of the best music systems under twenty thousand.
JBL Cinema Channel Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer
The JBL Cinema Channel is one of the best music systems for small cafes. Coming in at a price point of under fifteen thousand, it targets the mid-tier price segment. The product bundles with several unique features that should make it worthy of your consideration. Firstly, it comes with a maximum output power of two hundred and twenty watts that makes it one of the best music systems for salons. The 2.1 Channel Soundbar with extra deep bass makes it one of the best music systems with a bass on the market. Another great feature about this product is that it supports wireless music streaming through Bluetooth, allowing you to easily listen to your favourite music on Spotify and other streaming services seamlessly, without much effort.
Additional Features
Talking about the ports, the music system comes with HDMI and Optical ports. It makes the setup of the product extremely easy, and you can use various options for connectivity as well. The stylish and sleek design of the Cinema Channel Soundbar by JBL is a sure head-turner when you place it in your living room. Finally, the product comes with a one-year warranty as well. In a nutshell, all of these features make the JBL Channel Soundbar one of the best music systems under fifteen thousand.
F&D T60X Tower Speaker
Last but not least, we have the F&D T60X Tower Speaker. It comes in at a price point of under fifteen thousand, targeting the mid-tier price segment. This tower speaker packs in some exquisite features making it one of the best music systems under fifteen thousand. Firstly, it sports a three-way acoustic design and a one-inch silk dome tweeter that will provide you with the best possible audio experience. Secondly, it includes a four-inch woofer and an eight-inch subwoofer for each channel. No matter what the frequency you are listening to, this product will deliver an extraordinary listening experience. Thirdly, the elegant wooden cabinet design is a sure head-turner making it one of the best music systems for lounges. Talking about the connectivity options, the product supports Bluetooth and NFC that allows you to stream music seamlessly from your smartphone.
Additional Features
The bright LED display makes it easy to see the track and input source. A great feature about this product is the karaoke function that makes it extremely easy to turn any room into a stage. It makes the product one of the best music systems for parties. Apart from this, the product comes with a remote control that has a range of up to ten metres. The music system also comes with nifty controls on the side panel to change the volume and songs. Finally, you can also listen to FM through this product. It stores up to a hundred FM stations making it one of the best music systems with FM. All of the excellent features make the F&D T60X tower speaker one of the best music speakers on the market.
JBL Bar Studio Wireless Soundbar
Next up on the list, we have the JBL Bar Studio wireless soundbar. JBL is known to produce high-quality music systems, and this product is no exception. The JBL Bar Studio comes in a price point of under ten thousand, thereby targeting the higher end of the budget-friendly price segment. It is one of the best music systems under ten thousand on the market. A great feature about this product is the dual bass port design. It makes the product one of the best music systems with bass.
The product also supports wireless music streaming with Bluetooth, and you also have the option of optical cable and AUX cable with this product. It makes it extremely easy to plug in several kinds of audio sources, making it one of the best music systems LED TVs. Another great feature about this product is that you can use both your TV remote and the remote that comes along with the music system to control it.
Additional Features
You do not have to worry about losing a remote as your TV remote can double up as a backup option. The product also weighs only 1.4 kilograms and does not up a lot of space. You also get a maximum output power of thirty watts with this product. Finally, the JBL Bar Studio comes with a one-year warranty option. All of this makes the JBL Bar Studio one of the best music systems for restaurants.
Sony SA-D40 Multimedia Speaker System
Here’s another excellent choice in the music system market. The SA-D40 is yet another fantastic product by Sony. It comes in at a price point of sub ten thousand, thereby targeting the higher end of the budget-friendly market segment. The product comes with some excellent features that make it a great purchase. Firstly, it uses 4.1 Channel multimedia speakers. Both the centre and front speakers are of the bass reflex enclosure type. This design aids in the low-frequency response of the music system, thereby making it one of the best music systems for apartments. Secondly, the powerful bass music system also comes with a massive subwoofer and a humongous power output of eighty watts. It makes the speaker one of the best music systems for weddings.
Additional Features
Coming to the connectivity options, the music system supports wireless music that you can play through Bluetooth. The product is specially designed to work well with TVs, PCs, and music players. There is also a USB port that makes it easy to play music from pen drives. A stylish black gloss speaker finish complements the overall aesthetic of the product. Finally, the music system also comes with remote control and a one-year manufacturer warranty. All of these features should convince you to purchase this product that is one of the best music systems under ten thousand.
Philips 1000 Series HTL1045 Soundbar With Subwoofer
Next up on the list, we have another excellent soundbar with a subwoofer by Philips. As we have already seen, the Dutch conglomerate is one of the leading producers of music systems on the market. Let us take an in-depth look at their soundbar offering that packs in excellent features that make it one of the best music systems with bass. Firstly, it comes with the Bluetooth 5.0 that makes connectivity to your phone a seamless experience. Apart from this, you have the option of using the optical input or the HDMI port. Secondly, a nifty USB port allows you to play music from your pen drive as well quickly. With such great connectivity options, there’s not a lot to complain about this product.
Additional Features
A great feature about this music system is that with comes with integrated wall brackets. Mounting a soundbar to the wall has never been an easier task. Other features include the extraordinary forty-five-watt output power that makes it one of the best music systems for hip hop. The robust metallic grille enhances the music experience in your living room, and you can either place it on your TV table, wall, or any flat surface. Finally, the integrated subwoofer will bring a theatre-like experience right at the comfort of your home. With all of these great features, the Philips 1000 Series Soundbar is one of the best wireless music systems on the market.
Philips Convertible Multimedia Speaker System
The Philips Convertible Multimedia Speaker System is another excellent product offering. Philips has been a pioneer in the audio industry for a long time, and their music system offering does not fail to impress. It comes in at a price point of under ten thousand and is one of the best music systems for the kitchen. The tower speaker by Philips, packs in some noteworthy features that make it worthy of your attention. Firstly, it comes with wireless Bluetooth streaming.
The speaker delivers a maximum output of eighty watts that makes it one of the best music systems for hip hop. A great feature about this product is that it comes with a convertible soundbar. Now, you have the dual benefit of both a tower speaker and a soundbar. It makes the product one of the best music system for the living room. The speaker is slightly on the heavier side, weighing around nine kilograms.
Additional Features
The product also comes with a remote that makes it easy to control the speaker. Finally, the product also comes with a USB port, which is a nifty way to play MP3 music using the speaker. All of these features make the Philips Convertible Multimedia Speaker System one of the best music systems for restaurants.
Samsung T45E Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer
The T45E Soundbar by Samsung is one of the best music system home theatres on the market. It comes in at a price point of sub ten thousand, targeting the higher end of the budget-friendly price segment. The product comes with several noteworthy features that make it one of the best music systems for home use. Firstly, it includes a compelling bass that produces the sound of the highest quality. The 2.1 Channel soundbar and wireless subwoofers make it ideal for listening to music with low-pitch frequencies. Secondly, the product comes with several modes. Thirdly, there is the game mode, standard mode, smart mode, and surround sound expansion modes. You can be sure to find a mode that is in line with your audio preferences.
Additional Features
Whether you want to crank up the volume and listen to an explosive news debate or stream your favourite songs on Spotify or Apple Music, this music system has got you covered. With an output power of two hundred watts, you can be sure to get the best possible experience. When it comes to connector options, this product offers Bluetooth, USB, wireless and optical modes of transmission. Unlike several music systems, this product does not feature an HDMI port. Samsung has neatly integrated its smart sound technology that optimises the audio depending upon the type of content you are listening to. It makes the product one of the best music systems for parties in India. Last but not least, the product comes with a remote and a one-year warranty. All of these features make the T45E offering by Samsung one of the best music systems in the market.
boAt Aavante Soundbar
Here’s another excellent soundbar music system on the market. BoAt is an up and coming Indian brand, and their repertoire includes a wide variety of high-quality products. The Aavante Soundbar is no exception. It comes in at a price point of under five thousand, thereby targeting the budget-friendly price segment. The 2.0 Channel Sound is an excellent addition to the living room and lounges. The sleek and exquisite design is a perfect way to improve your room’s aesthetic appeal and enjoy an outstanding audio experience. You can easily control the device using the remote that comes with the product. It makes the product one of the best music systems for bars. The multi-port functionality of the product is another excellent feature. You now have the option of using the AUX or the USB port for MP3 music playback.
Additional Features
Apart from this, you can easily control the speaker using the accompanying Bluetooth 4.2. The sixty-watt output power is an excellent way to enjoy a theatre-like experience right at the comfort of your home. Apart from this, it is an excellent choice for music and news that you can listen to while performing household duties. All of these fantastic features make the Aavante offering by boAt one of the best music systems under five thousand.
Infinity Hardrock Channel Multimedia Speaker
Here’s another excellent music system offering. Infinity by Harman produces some of the highest quality audio equipment. Their multimedia speaker offering is no exception. Coming in at a price point of under five thousand, it is one of the best outdoor music systems. It packs in some jaw-dropping features that are worthy of your attention. Firstly, it has an audio output of a hundred watts and a powerful thumping bass, making it one of the best music systems with bass. The powerful bass is an excellent way to get the party started and make your guests feel at ease. Secondly, the product also comes with a 2.1 Channel multimedia speaker. Talking about the connectivity options, the product supports wireless Bluetooth streaming making it extremely easy to control it. The music system also comes with a 3.5’’ full-range driver for the satellite speakers and a 6.5’’ bass driver for the subwoofer.
Additional Features
The product includes three equaliser modes as well. These are the music, movie, and gaming modes. It also comes with a USB port that makes it extremely easy to play music through a pen drive. A great feature of this product is the WMA dual format decoding that provides you with the best possible audio experience. Finally, the product also comes with a subwoofer and an infrared remote. There is also the option of RCA to AUX connectivity. All of these features make this speaker one of the best music system home theatre.
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How To Choose Home Theatre Music Systems in India – Buying Guide
When it comes to music systems, there is no one-size-fits-all option. Your choice of equipment depends on various factors like the dimensions of the room where you’ll use it, whether you need it to be portable, and so on. In this section, we give you the lowdown on what features to look for and help you make an informed decision.
Purpose
If you are planning to buy a music system to watch movies, or a home theatre, in other words, it is worth spending a little extra to achieve that true cinematic feeling. Home theatres often require extra investments like modification of the room and soundproofing. As a result, if you then skimp on the equipment, you may not have the best experience. If you just want to upgrade your music-listening experience, you do not have to invest too much to see a difference. Similarly, for gaming, surround sound is normally more important than high quality. So you can choose more affordable models.
Size of The Room
Not everyone has the option of constructing or designing a separate room for their home theatre. In that case, there are a few guidelines to consider. For starters, the size of the screen should be proportional to how far away you sit – you should be able to take in the whole screen without straining your eyes. If you are setting it up in your living room, make sure that it doesn’t dominate the room – too many stray cables can be an eyesore. Also, the larger your room, the more powerful your speakers have to be, and vice versa. If possible, try to visualise a plan before choosing a home theatre or music system.
Power
The power output of the speakers is an important factor to consider. If you like loud music with heavy bass, you can choose speakers with high power output(150-200 W). High-power speakers are advisable for movies too. If you listen only to light or classical music, you won’t need too much power. The power also depends on the size of the room to some extent.
Compatibility
Home theatres involve quite a few speakers, so you must be able to connect all of them to the output channels. The AV receiver should also be able to handle its share of devices such as USB drives or AUX inputs. This receiver is the main device that powers your audio, so make sure it is compatible with as many devices and speakers as possible. Besides, if you stream movies a lot, the AV receiver will have to be compatible with the streaming device too.
Portability
While installing a home theatre is usually a fairly permanent decision, portability is a good feature to look for if you move frequently. In this case, purchasing a full-blown home theatre setup may not be a good idea as installing and uninstalling it can be quite cumbersome. There are several compact, lightweight options from which to choose. These are usually also easy to set up by yourself. If you require maximum portability, you could limit the number of speakers and instead buy a compact model like a soundbar.
Technology
To achieve the true feeling of a theatre, you will need multi-channel audio output. Here, “channels” refers to the speakers. For example, in a 7.1 speaker setup, the 7 means that you hear the audio from seven different speakers. The 1 means you have one subwoofer for enhanced bass. The bare minimum for a music system is two speakers to create stereo sound. If you want to create a truly immersive experience, you will need at least five speakers and one subwoofer. If you want to go even further, you can choose Dolby Atmos installations in which you have two or more ceiling-mounted speakers to create ultra-realistic sound. All of this is most useful for watching movies. If you are only going to listen to music, a stereo setup is enough, though extra speakers never hurt.
Warranty
With the number of components in a home theatre system, a good warranty is of great importance. Almost all the leading brands have good policies as their products are of high quality. Besides, they also provide adequate customer care in most cases. Buying a slightly expensive product from a trusted brand is always better than buying a cheaper version from an unheard-of one.
Price
The price of your music system entirely depends on your budget and usage. If you regularly watch movies with family or friends, it isn’t a bad idea to purchase more costly models with several speakers and so on. If you are only going to use it for listening to music or gaming, a full-fledged home theatre setup may be a waste of money and space.
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Music Systems – Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most frequently asked questions about music systems in India.
What music system should I buy?
This depends on why you are buying a music system. If it is only for listening to music, a regular stereo system is enough. If you regularly watch movies and want a better experience, a home theatre is a good option.
What are the types of music systems?
The major types of music systems are home theatres, soundbars, stereo systems and floor-mounted or tower speakers.
Are music systems with wireless speakers good?
Wireless speakers are more convenient due to the lack of pesky cables and wiring. They can also be repositioned more easily. However, there can be sound quality issues like latency or interference. But wireless technology has been improving a lot and good-quality wireless speakers can be a great addition to your home theatre.
Can I buy music systems with a turntable?
Yes, you can find turntables online. Though they are slightly more expensive, they are worth it if you already have a vinyl collection. Make sure to buy one with a built-in amplifier; otherwise, you will have to buy one separately.
Are there exchange offers for music systems?
Most brands offer exchange benefits, letting you exchange your old system for a price reduction. You also get extra benefits if it is the same brand.
What is the GST rate for music systems?
The GST rate levied on music systems is 28%. This is usually included in the MRP of the product.
Where can I repair my music system?
Major brands have dedicated service centres in most cities. They can usually service your system at your home. While buying the music system itself, make sure that the particular brand provides customer care in your city.
Do I need a music system rack?
Many home theatres and music systems involve floor-mounted speakers. However, a dedicated rack for your music system can add to the aesthetic appeal of the room while keeping cables hidden.
Which music systems are good for Zumba?
If you conduct Zumba classes, you will need music systems with powerful speakers(100 – 150 W) as they presumably take place in fairly large rooms. This will make sure that everyone can hear the music equally well. You can also invest in multiple speakers.
Can I buy music systems from third-party vendors?
Buying music systems from official brand outlets is always the best option. If you are buying from a vendor, make sure they are authorised and trustworthy.
Conclusion
Purchasing a music system can be a difficult decision. There are several choices on the market, and the task can be quite daunting. In this article, we simplified the entire process for you. First, we looked at what a home theatre system is along with the various kinds of home theatre systems available in the market. We then took a look at some of the formidable brands in the market. After this, we took a good look at some of the best product offerings on the market. Finally, we discussed the buying guide comprising of the several factors that you should consider before making a purchase decision. It was followed by a FAQ section to help you resolve queries that you may have.
Keeping the several factors in mind, you should consider the JBL Bar Studio Wireless Soundbar . With stellar ratings and an excellent price point of sub ten thousand, this product will not disappoint.
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