How Much Does It Cost to Install Surround Sound per Unit?
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. 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.
In-ceiling speakers: Adding in-ceiling speakers to an existing media set-up will cost, on average, between $200–$500 per pair.
External receiver or amplifier: If you don’t have them already, you’ll also need to add an external receiver and, ideally, an amplifier, which you can buy as a single component for an average of $400–$1,000.
Full-room surround sound: If you’re building a full surround sound system from scratch, you can expect to pay an average of $700 per room.
Home theater kit: Instead of assembling individual components, you can also purchase an out-of-the-box home theater kit, which includes a full set of speakers along with a console that serves as a receiver and amplifier. A model with true surround sound can cost as much as $4,000.
What Kind of Surround Sound Set-Up Can I Get on My Budget?
There is a wide range of potential surround sound configurations you can choose from, depending on your budget.
$300
The lowest end of the average cost range is unlikely to get you a full surround sound system from scratch, but for $300, you can take your existing audio set-up 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, start by adding a set of in-ceiling speakers for $200, including all the hardware. You’ll need to add one more speaker to the front to accommodate all six channels, which will add $50 if you stick to a more affordable model. Another $40 will get you the brackets required to mount the speakers in a configuration suited to the room.
$700
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.
$1,000
If you’ve got $1,000 to bring your surround sound dreams to life, you might choose between a higher-end 5.1 surround set-up 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 set-up. If the highest quality sound is your priority, opt for a mounted set-up, and budget $300 for an amplifier, $200 for the receiver, $450 for speakers, and $50 for brackets. If, on the other hand, a clean-looking, integrated set-up 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, with 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 $400, and you’ll need to spend at least $50 for all the brackets you will need. That leaves $550 for a set of seven inexpensive speakers plus a subwoofer.
$1,500
A $1,500 budget offers you the choice between outfitting a single room with a top-quality 5.1 surround sound set-up, at an average cost of $1,120, or going for a two-room set-up with more modest components, at an average cost of $700 per room.
$4,000
If you’re planning to spend $4,000, your best bet will be to spring for a high-end, out-of-the-box surround sound system. The package will include a central console, all the audio components and hardware you need for sparkling 5.1 surround sound, and 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 outfit at least five rooms with enveloping surround sound.
$6,000
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, and another $1,000 for the brackets and back boxes that can give you a sleek, integrated speaker installation.
How Much Does It Cost to Install Surround Sound Yourself?
Hiring a local surround sound installer will typically cost between $100 and $500. Installers charge an average of $50 to $100 per hour. If they’re just installing and connecting mounted speakers, the job shouldn’t take more than two hours. If they’re putting in a full new system with integrated speakers and running wires through the walls, it can go up to five hours. You can knock that amount off your estimate if you plan to install it yourself.
You can typically install an out-of-the-box home theater system without much difficulty. If, however, you’re designing your own set-up and would like guidance on speaker placement—or especially if you’d like to hide the wires behind your walls—it may be worth calling in the pros.
Surround Sound Installation Cost Breakdown
A full surround sound system contains a number of different elements.
Speakers: $50–$500 apiece
In-wall wiring: $35–$75 per wire
Brackets: $10–$30 apiece
Back boxes: $30–$50 apiece
Amplifier: $300–$800
Smart Hub: $500+
Installation: $100–$200 total
What Factors Influence the Cost to Install Surround Sound?
Your decisions about some crucial variables will affect the final cost of your surround sound system.
Number of Rooms
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 and $1,000 per room.
Wired or Wireless
Many newer surround sound systems function with wireless connectivity, but if you’re buying an older or higher-end model with wiring and you wish to conceal them from view, expect to pay an additional $35 to $75 per wire.
Mounted or Integrated Speakers
As with any speaker installation, you’ll face the choice between mounting them on brackets, shelves, or the ceiling or using cutouts in the walls to keep them out of sight. The latter option, integrated speakers, will add between $20 and $30 per cutout.
