Using your gaming PC with headphones is fine, but what if you could get a cinematic listening experience here, too? That is where surround sound systems for your PC come in. With one of these, you can achieve theater-level sound at home. Plus, you can use them to enhance your music listening and movie-watching experiences as well. So read on to find out our eight picks for the best surround sound systems for your PC.

Our picks for the best surround sound systems for your PC

If you want to get your PC equipped with surround sound that sounds good and is not a hassle to get set up, then the SteelSeries Arena 9 Gaming Speakers are what you need. This set comes with five speakers for immersive audio. The sound quality is great, with clear mids that let you hear the nuances of soundtracks, deep bass that adds energy and tension to dramatic moments, and sharp highs that punctuate key moments.

Getting this system up and running is a breeze, too. The wireless rear speakers are simple to place wherever you like. Plus, you do not need a receiver or special sound card to use these speakers. They accept USB-C input that gets you listening in a snap. There's a control pad included, too. That way, you can adjust settings on the fly to always have the best listening experience.

Note that to get the best listening experience with these speakers, you will need to download an app. And you cannot adjust the channels individually; they will all have the same settings. But these are small trade-offs for such an easy-to-use surround sound system for your PC.

Surround sound can get expensive fast. Thankfully, there is the Monoprice Premium 5.1 Channel Speaker System. It comes with five speakers and a subwoofer. They sound clear and detailed. You can enjoy deep, rich bass from the subwoofer while the speakers deliver immersive mids and highs that enhance any gaming soundtrack. Plus, these speakers have upward-firing drivers, which means sound will feel like it is coming from all around you.

The speakers themselves are compact, so they won't dominate the room you put them in. They also have mounting holes, so you can attach them to a wall, if you want. The subwoofer accepts both speaker and line-level inputs, meaning it will work with more types of receivers, too.

These speakers may not look all that appealing, but they are functional and reliable, and cost much less than many other options. You will need a receiver or soundcard with speaker outputs for them to work, so keep that in mind, but you're saving so much cash that shouldn't be too big of a concern.

If price is no object, then consider the Q Acoustics 3000i 5.1 (3010i) Home Theater Speaker Package. This stylish speaker package boasts quality construction for outstanding sound. You can enjoy detailed, rich playback of almost anything you listen to. The subwoofer boasts a deep, powerful bass that still lets you pick up on the nuances in low notes, too.

You can put these speakers on stands, if you want, for a customized setup. And the speakers use matte materials that blend in with almost any room. Furthermore, wall mounting is a breeze, thanks to the recessed connection terminals.

These are incredibly expensive speakers, no doubt, but their construction quality and sound playback are worth it if you have the cash. You will need to pair them with a high-quality receiver for the best results, so make note of that before you splurge on them.

Setting up speakers all over a room can get annoying. If you want to avoid that hassle, consider the Creative Sound Blaster Katana V2X Soundbar. It is designed to work with gaming PCs, so it will not take up too much room on your desk. You still get a rich, clear sound that makes you feel like you setup a surround sound system, too. Plus, the bass response is great thanks to the subwoofer.

This system accepts USB as an input option, meaning there is no special cabling required. You do not need a receiver, either. As another bonus, you get a remote, so you can change settings on the fly without leaving your chair. There is also a built-in microphone, so calls and live chat during games can still happen without a headset.

While a soundbar may not feel quite as immersive as a full set of speakers, it comes awfully close for far less hassle. And for such a low price, it's a quick and easy way to get better sound on your PC.

Many speaker systems for surround sound on a PC look rather boring, but the Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack bucks that trend. The speakers boast black surrounds with gold accents that will look great in any room. Sound quality is solid, with clear, crisp detail that suits many types of games and music. The bass response is excellent, so the "thumps" and "bumps" of drums and other instruments will come through clearly.

Another handy feature is the wireless subwoofer, which lets you place it almost anywhere. You can also get a remote for simple and quick changing of all the settings.

This system requires a receiver or soundcard with speaker outputs, so keep that in mind. Still, if you demand good looks, they are worth a look.

Complicated setup processes can turn many people off surround sound, which is why the Logitech Z906 5.1 Surround Sound Speaker System is such a breath of fresh air. This system comes with a receiver and connects directly to a PC in a snap. The remote is clearly marked and doesn't overload you with buttons, either.

The sound quality of this system is great, with THX-certified speakers that deliver cinema-like sound. You can enjoy deep bass and clear, detailed mids and highs all from your PC.

This system may not boast the best looks, and it can get hot when in use, but it is super easy to get working, and that is a great feature to have, especially if you're less tech-savvy.

Craving more channels? Then try the Nakamichi 7.2.4Ch 800W Dolby Atmos Soundbar. It accepts up to 7.2 channels for lots of immersion and detail. Sound quality is great, thanks to the two subwoofers that deliver powerful bass and the two satellite speakers that add additional detail in the mids and highs to every track.

Despite being 7.2 channels, the setup is still quick, thanks to the soundbar that accepts multiple kinds of inputs, including RCA, HDMI, and coaxial. If you have a large room, this system makes it a snap to get surround sound into every corner.

You will need lots of desk space for the soundbar, so consider that before committing to a purchase, but if you want to try even more channels, it's worth the sacrifice.

Do you want the most channels without having to fiddle with that many speakers? The LG Soundbar with Dolby Atmos 9.1.5 Channel audio delivers. The sound quality is outstanding, with up-firing satellite speakers that add even more nuance and reflections. The bass response is excellent, thanks to the subwoofer that pumps out deep, rich, low notes.

You also get room calibration, so you can optimize the way this soundbar operates based on where it is. And you can pair Bluetooth devices with it for even more playback options.

This soundbar is big and expensive, so your PC setup will have to have space under your gaming monitor to accommodate it. But if you want to have the maximum number of channels a shot, it's worth it.

Best surround sound systems for your PC: Final thoughts

You've got plenty of options when it comes to getting surround sound on your PC. If you want something that works out of the box, consider the SteelSeries Arena 9 5.1 Gaming Speakers. They connect directly to your PC, offer great sound quality, and are a breeze to set up. If that seems pricey, then the Monoprice Premium 5.1.4 Channel Immersive Home Theater System is a good choice, but it will need a receiver to work. And for those unconcerned with dropping huge amounts of cash, there is the Q Acoustics 3000i 5.1 (3010i) Home Theater Speaker Package that boasts excellent sound and build quality, but a super-high price and the need for a receiver.