The cost to install surround sound is $780 on average, but serious audio buffs may opt for high-end features, which can bring up the price.
Surround sound installation costs between $240 and $1,321, or an average of $780. However, there is a lot of variation between affordable and luxury components and between tweaking an existing speaker setup or purchasing a full surround sound kit as an essential part of your new media room.
Surround sound can make you feel like you’re right in the middle of the action. Originally designed for movie theaters, a surround sound system feeds an audio track through multiple channels that play out of a set of speakers arranged throughout a space. Let’s review the installation costs of this highly coveted home feature.
You can install surround sound on a variety of different budgets. We’ll take a look at several different price ranges and the surround sound features that you can install for each.
| Feature | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| 5.1 surround | $300–$1,700 |
| 7.1 surround | $400–$4,000 |
| In-ceiling speaker | $250–$500 per pair |
| Receiver/amp | $400–$1,000 |
| Brackets | $10–$50 apiece |
| Back boxes | $30–$50 apiece |
| Smart hub | $500+ |
| Full-room system | $750 per room |
| Home theater kit | $4,000 |
| Installation | $100–$200 |
Hiring a local surround sound installation company will cost between $250 to $1,500. Installers charge an average of $50 to $100 per hour. Your pro should be able to handle all your audio needs, from a simple installation and mounting to a new system with all the bells and whistles. Keep in mind that more complex installations will raise your final cost.
There is a wide range of potential surround sound configurations you can choose from, depending on your budget.
The lowest end of the average cost range is unlikely to get you a full surround sound system from scratch, but for $400, you can take your existing audio setup from mundane to spectacular 5.1 surround sound.
Let’s say you’ve already got two front-facing speakers and a subwoofer running through a dual-receiver amplifier. If you stick with less expensive speaker models, you can start by adding:
A set of in-ceiling speakers for $300, including all the hardware
One more speaker to the front to accommodate all six channels, which will add $50 for an affordable model
The brackets required to mount the speakers for another $40 to get the configuration you need for the room
A budget of $700 can bring 5.1 surround sound to your home, even if you don’t already have any of the components you’ll need.
Budget $300 to $450 for a set of five speakers and a subwoofer of modest quality
An adequate receiver will run an additional $200
Set aside $40 for brackets to mount the rear speakers
If you’ve opted for higher-end speakers, you’ll have to handle the installation yourself, but if you’ve purchased less expensive models, you would still have $150 for a two-hour professional install.
If you have $1,000 available to bring your surround sound dreams to life, you might choose between a higher-end 5.1 surround setup or a more modest version of 7.1 surround.
If your media room is on the smaller side, you’ll get the most bang for your buck on the higher-end 5.1 surround setup that you can arrange around your TV stand or wall mount.
If the highest quality sound is your priority, opt for a mounted setup, and budget:
$300 for an amplifier
$200 for the receiver
$450 for speakers
$50 for brackets
If, on the other hand, a clean-looking, integrated setup is most important, you might spend:
$210 for the in-wall wiring
$180 for the back boxes that will keep the equipment in place behind your walls
A remaining $610 for the receiver and speakers
If your room is large enough to physically accommodate seven speakers and a subwoofer, while leaving enough space so that the sound is not overwhelming, you might consider a modest 7.1 surround sound system.
A dual-receiver amplifier will cost $500
At least $50 for all the brackets you’ll need
$450 for a set of seven inexpensive speakers plus a subwoofer
A $1,500 budget offers you the choice between outfitting a single room with a top-quality 5.1 surround sound setup, at an average cost of $1,300, or going for a two-room setup with more modest components, at an average cost of $700 per room.
If you’re planning to spend $4,000, your best bet is to spring for a high-end, out-of-the-box surround sound system. The package will include a central console and all the audio components and hardware you need for sparkling 5.1 surround sound. Plus, these kits include instructions that make DIY installation a breeze.
Alternatively, if your priority is adding surround sound throughout your house, you could opt for less pricey components and use that $4,000 to outfit at least five rooms with enveloping surround sound.
With $6,000 to spend and a large enough space, you could install a top-quality 7.1 surround sound system in one glorious media room. You’ll want to budget:
$4,000 for a set of seven high-end speakers plus a subwoofer
$1,000 for a high-performing receiver amplifier
$1,000 for the brackets and back boxes that can give you a sleek, integrated speaker installation
Your decisions about some surround sound variables will affect the final cost to install your system. Find out more about the different features and factors so your budget stays on track.
Surround sound systems are designed to function properly within one room, not multiple rooms. If you want to add surround sound to your whole home, rather than just a media room, you can expect to pay between $500 to $1,000 per room.
Many newer surround sound systems function with wireless connectivity, but if you’re buying an older or higher-end model with wiring and you want to conceal them, expect to pay an additional $35 to $75 per wire.
As with any speaker installation, you’ll face the choice between mounting them on brackets, shelves, or the ceiling. You can also create cutouts in the walls to keep them out of sight.
The cost to install ceiling speakers is the more expensive option, averaging around $250 to $500 per pair. Integrated speakers are more affordable but will still add between $20 to $30 per cutout.
You can add surround sound to your home in many different formats. True surround sound comes in two different configurations.
Most common in home theaters is 5.1 surround, which features six audio channels and requires five speakers plus a subwoofer. Costs for a 5.1 surround sound system range between $300 to $1,700.
On the other hand, 7.1 surround, which adds two additional channels and two more speakers, is mostly found in large cinemas—though home systems are available. Costs for this type of configuration start at $400 to $4,000.
Sound system prices can vary dramatically depending on whether you’re looking for a basic setup or theater-level sound. Simple sound systems can still deliver a fantastic listening experience, so don’t worry if you’re starting on a smaller budget. Home theater kits cost around $4,000.
The choice also depends on what you’re listening to—not all films and music are recorded for theater-quality listening, so you may not need the most expensive equipment to get the most from your favorite content.
If you’ve already got a basic speaker system at home, upgrading to surrounding sound might involve just adding another speaker or two or an extra audio channel. If you’re starting from scratch, you’ll have equipment and installation costs. We’ll break down the cost details for both situations in the next section.
Since surround sound installers charge $50 to $100 per hour, you could save hundreds or even thousands on labor by installing your own surround sound. If you choose to DIY, you’ll only need to pay for materials and the sound equipment.
You can typically install an out-of-the-box home theater system without much difficulty. If, however, you’re designing your own setup and would like guidance on speaker placement—or especially if you’d like to hide the wires behind your walls—it may be worth talking to an electrician for expert support.
If your home already has a surround sound system, you may wonder how the cost to upgrade it compares with the cost of installing an entirely new system. For a few hundred dollars, you may be able to swap out outdated features of your system with newer ones—greatly improving the quality of your current system.
However, you might decide that it makes more sense cost-wise to install a new surround system. Compare the total project cost with your expected return on investment to help you make a decision. Installing a new surround system can cost anywhere from $200 to $4,500.
While the cost of surround sound installation might not exactly be music to your ears, tune into the following cost-saving tips.
Shop around for deals on new or used sound systems. Many budget-friendly brands make high-quality systems that can meet your audio needs without breaking the bank.
Invest in the high-end features that are important to you, and pass on those you can live without.
Get multiple quotes from installers to compare prices.
If you’re having surround sound installed in multiple rooms, ask your installer if they offer bundle discounts.
Even if you’re doing a DIY job, consider hiring a pro to help you with the planning phase of your project. This can help you avoid installation mistakes and save money in the long term.
In many cases, the addition of surround sound can give your home a luxurious edge. However, it’s important that your system works well with the layout of your home and is of good quality. Otherwise, this addition may not appeal to prospective buyers. If your surround sound system comes with a home theater, you may see returns of around 65%.
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A soundbar is a system with multiple directional speakers that mimics but does not match the fidelity and full dynamic range of surround sound. At the highest end, soundbar packages may include a set of additional speakers that can achieve 360-degree sound.
For movies, television, and games that feature surround sound output, no other setup than true 5.1 or 7.1 surround is capable of matching the fidelity and presence they offer. If, however, music is your audio priority—or you tend to favor older movies and broadcast television that’s unlikely to include surround sound output—you might be better off putting your money toward two high-quality speakers designed to reproduce stereo sound.
