Choosing the right home theater system

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Choosing the right home theater system

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Content:

• What Home Theater Speakers Should I Buy? – Buyer’s Guide for Speakers
• Best home theater systems of 2021
• Play audio in Dolby Atmos or surround sound on your Apple TV
• Small Room Home Theater Ideas For Any Budget
• Home Theater Projector Buyer's Guide
• Choosing The Best Sound System For A Small Apartment
• How to buy the best soundbar
• How To Select The Perfect Home Theater Furniture
• Can You Use Any Speakers for Surround Sound?
• What kind of home theater receiver to choose? Part 1

WATCH RELATED VIDEO: How To Choose A Home Theater Receiver - A Buying Guide

What Home Theater Speakers Should I Buy? – Buyer’s Guide for Speakers

As you construct your home theater surround sound system and begin pulling out your bookshelf speakers, tower speakers, and more, you might begin to wonder how these will mesh together to form a cohesive unit. One of the questions that may come to mind is whether you can use any speakers for surround sound. Fortunately, any speaker can be used for surround sound with the proper connection to a receiver with matching impedance ratings ohms and appropriate placement in your home theater space.

You can establish a wired or a wireless connection between the speakers, but follow the equipment specs. Particularly, as you begin to construct your surround sound system, it can be difficult to ensure that all of the connections are appropriate between pieces of sound equipment.

When hodgepodge together, a surround sound system can be a disaster. But, if you know what you are doing and can establish an appropriate and secure connection between your speakers, then you can use just about any speaker for your surround sound system. While dreaming up your new home theater , you will want to focus on the visual and the audio equipment that you place into your space. Of course, you will want comfortable seating, nice designs, and other eclectic items to make the space your own, but what makes this room distinguishable from the other rooms in your home is the ability to stream high-quality media with equipment that is hard to match.

With that said, you will want to make sure that you choose the right speakers to do the job. For a surround sound system, you will need at least a front left, right, and center speaker. Then, you can add rear and side speakers as well as additional front speakers. You will also need a subwoofer or two to highlight the bass. While this can seem intimidating at first, you will be thankful to know that there are plenty of options available on the market today.

There are many different surround sound systems that are sold as a package deal- something that makes the entire setup process a bit easier if you are just beginning. However, if you already have several pieces of sound equipment and are just wondering if you can use what you have to make a high-quality surround sound system in your home theater, then you are in luck. Fortunately, this is possible.

The main thing that you will have to pay attention to is the impedance rating on both your receiver and the speaker you plan to use. Then, you will need to establish a connection between the two devices, but you can worry about that later.

For now, you need to remember that the specifications of the two devices are the most important because it will change how effective and appropriate the connection is. When you choose to disregard these connections, you risk damaging your equipment and will experience distorted audio not worthy of even listening to. Still, as you pay attention to the ratings and specifications on each speaker that you use with your surround sound system, you might wonder which one you should pay the most attention to investing in.

And, while there are many mixed opinions out there, when you take a look at the functionality of each speaker in your surround sound system, it truly becomes clear.

The center speaker is the most important in a surround sound system in terms of functionality as it is the audio channel responsible for deciphering most of the dialogue and giving a more clear-cut audio experience with sound effects and soundtracks.

Next, the subwoofer is an important addition to the bass tones that it covers. Of course, you can have a surround sound system without the subwoofer, but it will not sound as full or robust in terms of high-quality sound. But, having a surround sound system without a center speaker will seem pretty ridiculous to almost any audiophile that you speak with. With that said, you can choose to invest your time, money, and energy into establishing a high-quality set of front speakers including the front left, right, and center speakers as you begin constructing your perfect home theater.

Then, add on rear or side speakers using surround-specific speakers or any other speakers with the appropriate connections , and you should be good to go. For example, you could use bookshelf speakers or even tower speakers for your rear surround sound speakers and be just as if not more pleased as if you had purchased speakers specifically designed for a surround sound effect.

What is important here is that the placement of the speakers and the connection with the receiver that will truly influence the overall sound quality in your home theater room.

Considering that you are working with the laws of physics when you set up your home theater surround sound system, it is really more important to have the perfect setup for your various speakers than to have speakers that are specifically designed for one part of the room.

Although this will obviously have an effect on how you are able to pull off an appropriately-sounding surround sound system. When it comes to setting up your home theater , it could take a true professional to discover the perfect system for your unique space.

However, there are many different ways that you can make sure that the surround sound speakers that you choose to use in your home theater are optimized and selected to perform at a top-tier level. So, in choosing your surround sound speakers, you will want to pay attention to the room specifications, natural acoustics, receiver specifications, media-streaming device, and your budget.

Ideally, you will select a solid set of front left, right, and center speakers complemented by at least two rear speakers and a subwoofer for a 5. Of course, there are many different ways that you can construct a surround sound system with the above example being just one of them.

Truly, it will take work to figure out what the best setup for your home theater surround sound equipment is in your unique space, but there are plenty of templates to get you started along the way. Along with that, there are some general rules of thumb that you can follow as you set them up. As mentioned above, you will want to pay attention to the room specifications.

For example, if your room is longer than it is wide, this will naturally alter the placement of your speakers compared to the alternative option. Or, if there are any strange angles that jet out in your room such as a funky wall or strange piece of furniture , then this will naturally influence your home theater setup , too.

So, you will have to think about the room specifications in terms of all of the sound equipment that can fit cohesively into the space. Read my article on the best home theater sizes and dimensions. Along with the specifications of the room, you will have to think about the natural acoustics that come with it.

Just like the funky wall or strange piece of immobile furniture would change the placement of your sound equipment, it will also change the acoustics.

You will need to think about how the audio signals will bounce from wall to wall and stream from your equipment to your ears. Ideally, you want to remove any obstacles that would distort the audio as it streams. In addition to this, be sure to pay attention to any muffling that could occur with carpeting, rugs, curtains, or other sound-absorbing pieces of furniture or decor in your home theater room.

As you select the speakers to use with your surround sound system, you will need to pay attention to the specifications of the receiver. For example, if the receiver has an impedance rating of 8 Ohms, then you need to make sure that your speaker does as well. This will help to ensure an appropriate connection between the two devices. Your other option here is to use a complete surround sound equipment set sold all in one package from your favorite manufacturer. There are many options available, so it is up to you to choose one.

But, if you opt to use your own equipment, which is totally fine, then just be sure that the bookshelf speaker, tower speaker, or another type of speaker that you plan to use can be effectively connected to your receiver. Along with paying attention to the specifications on your receiver and surround sound speakers, you will also want to make sure that you check the specifications of your media-streaming device.

For example, be sure to check whether a wired or a wireless connection is preferable, and make adjustments accordingly. This, along with many other specifications, can help influence the type of surround sound speakers you end up choosing. Finally, but likely one of your top priorities, you will need to pay attention to your budget.

Sure, we would all love to win the lottery or have endless spending money, but if this is not the case for you, then you will need to be selective about the equipment you choose.

Perhaps you can find a few high-quality speakers worth investing in and then add to your collection along the way. Quality over quantity is an important rule to remember when it comes to building your surround sound system in your home theater. Room Specifications Along with that, there are some general rules of thumb that you can follow as you set them up.

Natural Acoustics Along with the specifications of the room, you will have to think about the natural acoustics that come with it. Receiver Specifications As you select the speakers to use with your surround sound system, you will need to pay attention to the specifications of the receiver. Media-Streaming Device Along with paying attention to the specifications on your receiver and surround sound speakers, you will also want to make sure that you check the specifications of your media-streaming device.

Your Budget Finally, but likely one of your top priorities, you will need to pay attention to your budget.

Best home theater systems of 2021

Building a home theater room can often be the true endpoint of home remodeling. Once you have concluded the more utilitarian work of fixing windows and installing floors , it's time to reach deeper into the bank account and lavish attention on your entertainment needs. After all, who doesn't need a home movie theater room? But a home theater room is more than just a sofa and a screen. Certain requirements, like controlling outside light and the ability to cast a large enough picture, should be met in order to call this a proper home movie theater. Requirements apply both to video projectors and screens as well as to large, flat-screen TVs. A dedicated home theater room is a room solely dedicated to watching videos on a big screen.

Play audio in Dolby Atmos or surround sound on your Apple TV

THX can help you optimize your home audio and video experience for any type of home theater system and for any room size. THX can help you optimize audio and video for anywhere from a cozy nook to a fully tricked out home theater. Regardless of room size, your entertainment experience should be the best one possible. Here are some considerations and product suggestions for systems of all sizes and best practices for set-up. Diagrams for illustrative purposes only. The THX Certified Dominus is the closest approximation to a public cinema experience that you can achieve in your own home. Large home theaters qualify for a 7.

Small Room Home Theater Ideas For Any Budget

Thanks to streaming services, in-home entertainment has reached a cinematic summit. A Bose soundbar can do exactly that by transforming hard-to-hear dialogue and flat-sounding action scenes into a crisp and thunderous audiovisual experience. So, grab the popcorn and settle in. Packed with great features like Dialogue mode, this one-piece soundbar promises a clear audio experience.

Home Theater Projector Buyer's Guide

If you will use it primarily for listening to music, you will need a stereo receiver. If you want surround sound while watching a movie. If you use it for both listening to music and watching movies, think of an AV receiver. Make sure the new receiver has enough channels for all the speakers and the ones you will get in the future. If you want surround sound, you will need at least five channels.

Choosing The Best Sound System For A Small Apartment

Join , subscribers and get a daily digest of news, geek trivia, and our feature articles. By submitting your email, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Whether you are setting up your computer speakers or a complex home theater bundle, understanding the art and science of speaker channels and placement is the most critical step in enjoying your new sound system. Read on as we guide you through a crash course in surround sound setup. The other day a friend of ours was showing us his new HDTV setup and new speakers. When it came time to set up the speakers he had purchased to go with the TV he simply plugged them in and set them all on the shelf under his new TV. The only way for that setup to be less optimal would be if the speakers were inside a nearby closet. There is an enormous amount of energy invested in giving you a great home theater and listening experience.

How to buy the best soundbar

Stereo only uses two channels, a left and a right channel. All modern music is recorded in stereo and most movies and videos have a stereo option. A lot of media you encounter will be encoded for stereo sound.

How To Select The Perfect Home Theater Furniture

RELATED VIDEO: 5 Things to Listen for When Choosing the Best Home Theater Subwoofer

A quick look at our TV ratings will show that while many TVs these days offer great picture quality, that's not as true for sound. Only about 80 of the plus televisions in our TV ratings can deliver satisfying sound quality. One great—and increasingly popular—option is to add a sound bar speaker. A sound bar has several speakers and the electronics to power them in one thin enclosure that you connect to your TV, with no need for a receiver.

Can You Use Any Speakers for Surround Sound?

Hearing is believing. Discover the thrill of upgrading a Beovision TV with our stunning speakers and creating your own home cinema experience. Your possibilities are endless, and the experience is guaranteed to bring a smile on your face. This enables your TV to optimise the sound distribution automatically — not only to your configuration but also to your room, your listening positions, and your content. That way, you can enjoy a music system and a television and a home theatre system; all in one package. Your home cinema experience starts with authentic, powerful sound that puts you right in the stands with thousands of cheering fans or behind the wheel mid-car chase.

What kind of home theater receiver to choose? Part 1

By: Jane McGrath. If you're a film or music lover, you probably yearn for the crispest, clearest sounds to enhance your audio experience. And with all the recent advancements in technology, there's never been a better time to be an audiophile. However, navigating through all those options can be intimidating.