ARTICLE
Wireless Home Theatre Systems: how to choose and set up yours
Published Feb 6, 2024 • Updated Oct 29, 2026 - 8 min read
Wireless home theatre systems can tidy up your setup, reduce cable clutter and still deliver immersive surround sound for movies and games. This article explains how wireless audio works, what to look for in a system and how to choose the right gear for your room and budget.
Key takeaways from this article
Wireless systems cut cable clutter while keeping the home cinema feel.
Bluetooth and RF options both connect audio without front-to-back cabling.
Choose based on room size, seating layout, TV setup and budget.
Start with a soundbar, rear kit or a speaker or two if you want to build gradually.
Check range and receiver quality to avoid dropouts and interference.
If you’re looking to upgrade your home theatre’s sound system, this guide can help you navigate this exciting world of incredible tech. The Good Guys range of home audio, wireless home theatre systems, and home wireless speakers (including portable speakers) offering Bluetooth connectivity will have you covered for all your home theatre requirements. Read on for more tips and info on what to buy and how to set up your home theatre for the best family movie night experience.
What is a Wireless Home Theatre System?
Wireless home theatre systems use different radio frequency (RF) systems to transmit the sound output from your receiver to the surrounds, or they can also use the Bluetooth technology.
Wireless never actually means completely wire-free, but you certainly won’t need wires running from the front to the back of your TV room.
Why upgrade to a Wireless System?
Surround sound stimulates the senses from all angles, creating a more immersive entertainment experience. Utilising a wireless surround system will allow you to configure your speakers in the manner which best suits your audience, without any unsightly cables in the way to distract you during your latest Netflix binge.
Reason to upgrade | Why it matters |
|---|---|
Exceptional sound | Wireless speakers used to trail wired ones, but today's Wi-Fi and dedicated wireless links carry high-quality audio with very little delay. That means you get rich, room-filling sound without running cable behind the couch. |
Installation | Wireless speakers can be easily installed to an existing wireless network in minutes, usually through the brand's app. This gives you the ability bolster your existing home theatre or begin the process of creating a new home theatre experience without the inconvenience of running cables. |
Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity | Bluetooth is very popular and works by using radio waves instead of wires or cables to connect with your television. Bluetooth is found in many products we use every day, including headsets, smartphones, laptops and portable speakers. |
Connectivity in multiple rooms | Significant improvements in the RF transmission of wireless surround sound technology ensure that your speakers are never out of range in the family home. You can take control of these speakers from one central hub, giving you the option to play the audio from your favourite film clips all across the house, or you can mix things up and play different audio in different rooms. |
Modern technology | Wireless surround sound technology continues to improve at a very rapid rate. Be sure to regularly check-in with The Good Guys either online, or in-store, for access to the latest and greatest wireless surround sound equipment. |
What to consider when choosing a Wireless Theatre System
The important things to remember are how large your room is, the TV you have, your TV setup and your budget.
Budget: there are options for every budget, but avoid skimping on the receiver if possible because a good quality receiver will ensure that all wireless components of your surround system have the best possible connection. If the budget is tight, you can always start your wireless setup with one or two speakers. The improvement in cinematic experience will be instant!
Space: there’s a sound system to suit homes of all shapes and sizes. Thanks to continual improvements in modern technology, now even the most compact of speakers can produce amazing sound. Head into The Good Guys closest to you and have a chat with one of our home theatre experts about how to configure wireless speakers in your home to maximise sound quality.
Current setup: have a good look at your room. Where is your big screen TV in relation to your seating area? Consider where you will be sitting when you watch TV and configure your wireless surround sound to ensure that you experience sound in the way that best suits you.
How you use the space: a subwoofer is the speaker responsible for producing the bass sounds of your audio experience. These speakers can sit almost anywhere in the room. However, surround sound speakers should be situated behind your seating area for optimum effect. When possible, try to ensure that the distance between your front speaker and your seating area is the same distance that separates your surround sound speakers from your seating area.
Types of Wireless Home Theatre Systems
Wireless home theatre systems range from a single soundbar to a full surround setup. Here’s how each type compares, what it does well and who it suits best.
Type | What it is | Key benefits | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Full home theatre system | An amplifier or AV receiver paired with separate speakers | Highest audio quality, room to upgrade each part over time, a true cinema feel at home | Movie lovers and audio enthusiasts with a dedicated media room or larger lounge |
Surround system | A system with extra audio channels so sound comes from three or more directions | More immersive sound for movies, sport and gaming, without rearranging your room | Families and gamers who want an immersive setup in a medium to large room |
Rear speaker kit | Wireless speakers that add rear channels to a compatible soundbar | Turns a soundbar into surround sound with no speaker cable across the room | Soundbar owners ready to upgrade to surround sound |
Tower speakers | A pair of tall floor-standing speakers for the left and right channels | Full, natural sound with deep bass, plus a sleek statement look | Music lovers and anyone with floor space in a larger room |
Portable speakers | Compact speakers that connect over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth | Easy to move between rooms or outdoors, and can link up for multi-room audio | Renters, entertainers and anyone who wants music throughout the home |
Soundbar | A slim, wide speaker mounted or placed above or below your TV | Instantly better TV sound, simple setup, minimal clutter | Apartments, smaller rooms and first-time home theatre buyers |
Will it work with my TV?
Here's our guide to what you can connect based on what your TV has!
Your TV has... | What you can connect | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
HDMI eARC | Any current soundbar, including Dolby Atmos | Best option - one cable, one remote, full Atmos from apps |
HDMI ARC | Most soundbars | Works well; some Atmos formats may not pass through |
Optical only | Most soundbars | No Dolby Atmos; you may need a separate remote |
Bluetooth only | Some soundbars and speakers | Fine for music; may lag behind the picture for movies |
Planning to add rear speakers or a subwoofer later? Choose them from the same brand as your soundbar and check the 'Works with' list on the product page.
How to set up a Wireless Home Theatre System
A helpful way to think of home theatre equipment connections is in terms of roads that deliver goods from a producer to a distributor. Source components, such as cable boxes, media streamers and Blu-ray players are the beginning points and the TV and loudspeakers are the endpoints. You need to get the audio and video signals from their source components to your sound system and video display, respectively.
Fit out the right theatre furniture: once you have a comfy couch or recliner lined up, either have your TV mounted or position it on an entertainment unit at eye level.
Connect the surround sound: most systems connect to your TV with one HDMI cable plugged into the TV's eARC or ARC port. Your rear speakers and subwoofer then pair with the soundbar wirelessly - just plug each into a power point and follow the app. No eARC? An optical cable works too, but won't carry Dolby Atmos.
Use a High-Quality Projector: there are variety of projector types that have been customised to project specific forms of media. The first step to ensuring high-quality imagery in your home is making sure that your projector is purpose-built for home theatre.
Add a Mini Bar Fridge for snacks: The Good Guys have a great range of bar fridges to make your home theatre even more inviting.
Check out our guide on creating the ultimate home theatre! The Good Guys is also here to help you install your new home theatre system. Let us take the stress out of your home theatre set up with one of our fully licensed installers.
Shop the latest Home Theatre Tech with The Good Guys
Now you’re up to date with all the latest info on audio and home theatre systems, just drop into your local store and ask one of our friendly team members for a demo today.
Frequently asked questions about wireless home theatre
No, a wireless home theatre system isn’t completely wire-free. Each wireless speaker and subwoofer still needs a power point, and most setups use one HDMI cable between your TV and soundbar. What you lose is the speaker cable running across the room to the rear speakers.
No, wireless rear speakers usually only pair with a soundbar from the same brand, and often only with certain models. The same goes for wireless subwoofers. Check the compatible models on the product page before you buy.
Wi-Fi or a brand’s own wireless connection is better for a home theatre system. Bluetooth works well for streaming music from your phone, but it can add a slight delay that puts the sound out of sync with the picture when you’re watching movies or TV.
Yes. Pair a Dolby Atmos soundbar with wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer and you’ll get 5.1 channels or more of surround sound. To get Dolby Atmos from streaming apps like Netflix, connect the soundbar to your TV’s HDMI eARC port.
A soundbar will work with almost any TV that has an HDMI ARC port, an HDMI eARC port or an optical output. HDMI eARC is the best choice because it supports Dolby Atmos and lets you control the TV and soundbar with one remote.
You don’t need an AV receiver for a soundbar system, because the soundbar does the receiver’s job. You only need an AV receiver if you’re building a home theatre around separate speakers.
A soundbar on its own suits apartments and smaller lounge rooms. Choose a 2.1 or 3.1 system with a subwoofer for deeper bass. Go for full surround sound with rear speakers when you want sound coming from behind you as well as in front.
Wireless speakers rarely drop out when they’re set up properly. Keep them within the manufacturer’s recommended range, away from microwaves and thick walls, and connected to a strong Wi-Fi signal.
Yes. Most soundbar systems let you add a subwoofer or rear speakers from the same brand later on, so you can start with a soundbar and build up to full surround sound over time.
Yes. The Good Guys Home Services installers can wall-mount your TV and soundbar and set up your home theatre system. Ask in store or book installation online.
