Sony Ht-A9

The Sony HT-A9 is aimed at those that don't have the dedicated space for a soundbar below their TV or don't have the space to symmetrically place speakers around their room. Placing the speakers at odd positions around the room in fact works in the system's favour so long as the speakers are facing you. It provides an incredibly immersive experience once calibrated and the system has a lot of low-end thumps so you don't miss the theatre. Each of the 4 speakers is huge and that's a good thing as it provides an immersive virtual surround sound experience. The control box is minimal. The overall sound output is fantastic, offering a very good experience with no distortion at high volumes and the overall sound being extremely clear. The only con with the system is the absence of traditional connectivity options like optical and the fact that the speakers are white which means just like the PS5, you can expect this to get a little dirty after some use. But that's just me nitpicking. If you don't have the space or symmetry for a soundbar or home theatre, then the HT-A9 should be at the top of your list as it offers a surround sound experience without you needing to redo your room's interiors.