Home theater checklist Having a great sound to watch television and movies can make a big difference in your entertainment experience. As technology improves so does the level of sound technology developed in movies and internet streaming devices. For example Blu-ray technology has High-Definition sound that is better quality and focuses on surround sound. However, none the above mentioned technologies will matter if a home theater system is not installed or planned properly. A home theater system can be designed in various ways depending on the budget, room layout, and the capability of the power amp receiver. Most systems include a 5.1 or 7.1 surround option. This means one system has five speakers: two front speakers, a center channel, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer. Or for a 7.1 option two front speakers, center channel, subwoofer, and two middle speakers.
Prepackaged Vs. separate receiver Regardless, of which option you choose it is important that you also have a receiver component that can have speakers hook up to it. The most common receiver will be a pre-packaged one that may include a Blu-ray player built in with a way to also control the sound to the speakers. This type of setup can be a good option for a worry free system that will deliver a surround sound experience. However, using separate components meaning a receiver power amp that is designed for various types of surround sound will provide more options. A pre-packaged set for example will include all of the required speakers, and speaker wire which is usually a 16 or 18 gauge wire. Often the quality of speakers in these systems is ok, but lacks a real range of sound. On the other hand having a separate component receiver means that you can purchase or find speakers that are better quality or that have a more dynamic range. You can also use a higher quality speaker wire that will make the receiver have a faster sound response to the speakers. This will create better sound and overall performance of the system. There are also many preprogrammed surround sound options on separate receivers, which offer more accurate sound. Basically, a separate receiver offers chances to upgrade in the future, whereas the pre-packaged option is limited and you have to stay with what you purchased for the life of the product.
Home Theater dont’s If you purchased a pre-packed or separate component system do not line up all of the speakers in the front right by the television. Surround sound means that the speakers should be strategically placed so that you the listener can hear the sounds from various angles. The two front speakers should be spread out to the side of the television while the center channel is placed in the center front. Then the subwoofer which delivers the bass and lower tones should be placed on the ground usually in a corner in the front of the room near a wall. Then the two rear speakers should be placed behind the listener at ear level or mounted on the rear wall angled down. Photo Credit: Dinfo.gr, Farm4