The Best Home Theater System

Buying Guide

Whether you love watching blockbuster movies or engaging TV shows, they are better when you have the right home theater system. The quality of the technology and how you set it up in the room makes all the difference, and can make your living room feel like a movie theater.

A home theater contains the audio and visual technology you need to have a great TV-watching experience. The center of the home theater is the television, around which everything else goes. Keep in mind that the TV is typically sold separately from the speakers. The home theater system includes the sound bar or speakers, which amplify the sound so you can hear each and every detail. It sometimes includes streaming devices, which enable you to access certain networks, shows, and movies that can’t be found anywhere else. They may also include a subwoofer and receiver, depending on the setup.

If you’re new to audio and visual technology, an important factor to consider is how easy your home theater system is to set up and put together. Often, the TV and speakers are ready to go right out of the box. All you have to do is connect everything together. Other times, you have to purchase the connecting cables separately and configure the components to work together. While this often only takes a few extra steps, it can be difficult for some shoppers.

When selecting the home theater system, be sure to have a close look at the room where it will go. Determine how much space you have to house the system. For example, do you have room for four large speakers or just a small sound bar? This will help you narrow down your home theater system options.

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• How many speakers do you need in a home theater system? While there are many configurations and combinations you can have, you will find that the five-speaker setup is quite common. This includes a center speaker, a left and right front speaker, and a left and right rear speaker. This setup typically also uses a subwoofer, which helps to amplify the lower bass sounds.
• The placement of the speakers in a home theater system is just as important as the technology itself. If you don’t have the speakers in the right spot, you will not hear the sound effects as intended. The center speaker is where most of the spoken dialogue comes from. It should be front and center of your TV. The front left and right speakers should go to the left and right of the TV, and be in front of where you sit and watch TV. The rear speakers should be behind the viewing audience, and are typically at the very back of the room.
• Should you buy the speakers in a set in a home theater system or is it better to buy them separately? What matters most is that the speakers match tonally – otherwise the sound will not be quite right. Usually, buying speakers in a set ensure this harmony.
• Don’t have room for the common five-speaker setup? Don’t worry – it’s not your only option. If you don’t have the room or budget, opt for the stereo setup, which includes just two speakers – left and right. While you won’t get the surround sound effect, you’ll still be able to have an enjoyable listening and watching experience.