Difference between revisions of "Create the Ideal Home Theater Audio System"
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Have you ever plugged in a brand-new television and turned it on, only to be disappointed by the horrible sound quality? More often than not, stunning visuals have to be countered with equally stunning audio presentation. Whether you're trying to recreate a true theater experience or simply looking for a cleaner sound presentation, here is a simple breakdown of what you need to do to create an ideal home theater audio system. | Have you ever plugged in a brand-new television and turned it on, only to be disappointed by the horrible sound quality? More often than not, stunning visuals have to be countered with equally stunning audio presentation. Whether you're trying to recreate a true theater experience or simply looking for a cleaner sound presentation, here is a simple breakdown of what you need to do to create an ideal home theater audio system. | ||
| − | [[Category:Home Theater]] | + | [[Category: Home Theater]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Deciding on an Audio System === | === Deciding on an Audio System === | ||
#Define your intentions. Take stock of everything you have already (if you're building a home theater completely from scratch, you can skip to the next step). Consider the type and size of TV you have, the dimensions of the room, and your intentions going forward. How many people do you want to be able to fit? Is your entertainment room spacious--which will allow for richer sound quality--or will you have to reign your ambition in a little bit? How many speakers can you feasibly place? These are things to consider before you even start planning the physical placement of your equipment. | #Define your intentions. Take stock of everything you have already (if you're building a home theater completely from scratch, you can skip to the next step). Consider the type and size of TV you have, the dimensions of the room, and your intentions going forward. How many people do you want to be able to fit? Is your entertainment room spacious--which will allow for richer sound quality--or will you have to reign your ambition in a little bit? How many speakers can you feasibly place? These are things to consider before you even start planning the physical placement of your equipment. | ||
#Measure your space. Typically, you want your seating to be positioned between the TV and the adjacent wall, not up against it; that way, you can run speakers behind your couch or chair, creating a surround-sound experience. | #Measure your space. Typically, you want your seating to be positioned between the TV and the adjacent wall, not up against it; that way, you can run speakers behind your couch or chair, creating a surround-sound experience. | ||
| − | #*This is a good time to evaluate the sound flow of the room as well. High-backed furniture and superfluous items will block or distort sound; try to keep your entertainment room as clean and low-profile as possible. <ref>http://www.crutchfield.com/S-V0RDEpHU9ZT/learn/learningcenter/home/HTpitfalls.html</ref> | + | #*This is a good time to evaluate the sound flow of the room as well. High-backed furniture and superfluous items will block or distort sound; try to keep your entertainment room as clean and low-profile as possible. <ref name="rf1">http://www.crutchfield.com/S-V0RDEpHU9ZT/learn/learningcenter/home/HTpitfalls.html</ref> |
#Pick a general audio system. You've probably seen designations such as 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, and so on. In these cases, the first number stands for the quantity of speakers, and the ".1" signifies the use of a subwoofer. Pick a speaker system that pertains to the size and location of your room. | #Pick a general audio system. You've probably seen designations such as 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, and so on. In these cases, the first number stands for the quantity of speakers, and the ".1" signifies the use of a subwoofer. Pick a speaker system that pertains to the size and location of your room. | ||
#*As a general rule, if you live in an apartment or similarly close-knit location, a 5.1 stereo system will probably be the largest one you need, since any considerate volume on a larger speaker system will be redundant. | #*As a general rule, if you live in an apartment or similarly close-knit location, a 5.1 stereo system will probably be the largest one you need, since any considerate volume on a larger speaker system will be redundant. | ||
#*Similarly, you should pick a speaker system for the space in which it will preside, not for the space you think it will eventually belong in. You can always purchase a 2.1 speaker system for a small room and add on later. | #*Similarly, you should pick a speaker system for the space in which it will preside, not for the space you think it will eventually belong in. You can always purchase a 2.1 speaker system for a small room and add on later. | ||
| − | #Block out your placement. Measure the distance from your TV to your couch, from your couch to your back wall, and from the corners of the room to where you will be sitting. Place tape where you intend to put the speakers; the main ones will sit in front of the TV, while the surround sound usually goes behind the viewer. <ref>http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DeIH93FIFXh/learn/hometheater/receiver/setup.html</ref> | + | #Block out your placement. Measure the distance from your TV to your couch, from your couch to your back wall, and from the corners of the room to where you will be sitting. Place tape where you intend to put the speakers; the main ones will sit in front of the TV, while the surround sound usually goes behind the viewer. <ref name="rf2">http://www.crutchfield.com/S-DeIH93FIFXh/learn/hometheater/receiver/setup.html</ref> |
#*You want your speakers to deliver approximately the same sound to everyone in the room, so keep this in mind as you plan. | #*You want your speakers to deliver approximately the same sound to everyone in the room, so keep this in mind as you plan. | ||
#*You will need to test your subwoofer before placing it, so don't worry about it for now. | #*You will need to test your subwoofer before placing it, so don't worry about it for now. | ||
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#*One of the nice things about setting up a multi-speaker audio system is its customizability: you can always add or subtract speakers as your environment changes. Keep this in mind when purchasing the initial equipment. | #*One of the nice things about setting up a multi-speaker audio system is its customizability: you can always add or subtract speakers as your environment changes. Keep this in mind when purchasing the initial equipment. | ||
#*When purchasing a receiver, make sure it has enough outputs for the hardware you're running, since any DVD players or consoles should be attached to the receiver rather than the TV. Similarly, make sure it has the correct inputs and outputs for your hardware; you don't want to purchase an older receiver that only has analog input (the standard red and white cables) when your TV is capable of running an HDMI cable. | #*When purchasing a receiver, make sure it has enough outputs for the hardware you're running, since any DVD players or consoles should be attached to the receiver rather than the TV. Similarly, make sure it has the correct inputs and outputs for your hardware; you don't want to purchase an older receiver that only has analog input (the standard red and white cables) when your TV is capable of running an HDMI cable. | ||
| − | #Research your options. Find a reputable brand such as Samsung, Bose, or Sony, and stick with that company as you research your technology. As you delve into specific models within these subsets, be on the lookout for common problems or longevity issues. <ref>http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2014/04/23/how-to-set-up-a-home-theater-system-a-simple-guide/2/#6e0fe4dfc479</ref> | + | #Research your options. Find a reputable brand such as Samsung, Bose, or Sony, and stick with that company as you research your technology. As you delve into specific models within these subsets, be on the lookout for common problems or longevity issues. <ref name="rf3">http://www.forbes.com/sites/geoffreymorrison/2014/04/23/how-to-set-up-a-home-theater-system-a-simple-guide/2/#6e0fe4dfc479</ref> |
#*Basics are always better to start with. You're better off getting a relatively plain receiver that does exactly what you need and no more than spending twice as much on a receiver with a ton of features you'll never use. The same logic applies to speakers. | #*Basics are always better to start with. You're better off getting a relatively plain receiver that does exactly what you need and no more than spending twice as much on a receiver with a ton of features you'll never use. The same logic applies to speakers. | ||
#*It's a good idea to research features of specific brands and models; often times, these "valuable" features turn out to be unnecessary or downright negligible. Don't spend extra for nothing! | #*It's a good idea to research features of specific brands and models; often times, these "valuable" features turn out to be unnecessary or downright negligible. Don't spend extra for nothing! | ||
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#*Places like Best Buy and Walmart tend to stock reputable brands for a reasonable price. | #*Places like Best Buy and Walmart tend to stock reputable brands for a reasonable price. | ||
#Purchase only what you need. Brands will often try to trick you into spending exponentially more money than necessary on things like gold-plated HDMI cables or triple insulated speaker cable, under the premise that you'll get better sound quality. In reality, you're not likely to notice the difference in sound quality between cheap speaker cable and its expensive counterpart, so always err on the side of inexpensive when it comes to cables. Technology needs to be replaced often enough that, unless you have an extensive budget for your home theater audio system, it isn't worth buying the top-shelf products. | #Purchase only what you need. Brands will often try to trick you into spending exponentially more money than necessary on things like gold-plated HDMI cables or triple insulated speaker cable, under the premise that you'll get better sound quality. In reality, you're not likely to notice the difference in sound quality between cheap speaker cable and its expensive counterpart, so always err on the side of inexpensive when it comes to cables. Technology needs to be replaced often enough that, unless you have an extensive budget for your home theater audio system, it isn't worth buying the top-shelf products. | ||
| − | #*For example, if you don't own Apple products, don't buy a receiver that costs more because it has built-in Airplay. <ref>http://lifehacker.com/5774324/how-to-get-more-from-your-home-theater-without-paying-a-dime</ref> | + | #*For example, if you don't own Apple products, don't buy a receiver that costs more because it has built-in Airplay. <ref name="rf4">http://lifehacker.com/5774324/how-to-get-more-from-your-home-theater-without-paying-a-dime</ref> |
#*You will need to buy speaker cable to connect your speakers to your receiver's audio outputs--use this as an opportunity to stock up in case you suffer a short-circuit or a crimped wire. | #*You will need to buy speaker cable to connect your speakers to your receiver's audio outputs--use this as an opportunity to stock up in case you suffer a short-circuit or a crimped wire. | ||
#Consider buying a warranty. After you've bought everything and signed off on all the receipts, a sales rep will usually ask if you want a 3-year warranty or something similar on your equipment. Since $30-$40 extra is infinitely less than the cost of having to purchase everything again after your basement floods, consider obliging. | #Consider buying a warranty. After you've bought everything and signed off on all the receipts, a sales rep will usually ask if you want a 3-year warranty or something similar on your equipment. Since $30-$40 extra is infinitely less than the cost of having to purchase everything again after your basement floods, consider obliging. | ||
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#*If you have a larger speaker system, place surplus speakers around or behind the seating area in an arc; this will enhance your surround-sound experience. | #*If you have a larger speaker system, place surplus speakers around or behind the seating area in an arc; this will enhance your surround-sound experience. | ||
#Place your speakers. From a top-down perspective, your front speakers should form an equilateral triangle with the center of your seating placed at the apex. Take the width of your room and the general number of people you hope to seat into account here--your speakers will need to be placed farther apart from one another if you hope to engage each member of a crowded room equally, whereas they can be fairly close together if you're the sole occupant. | #Place your speakers. From a top-down perspective, your front speakers should form an equilateral triangle with the center of your seating placed at the apex. Take the width of your room and the general number of people you hope to seat into account here--your speakers will need to be placed farther apart from one another if you hope to engage each member of a crowded room equally, whereas they can be fairly close together if you're the sole occupant. | ||
| − | #*Surround-sound speakers are best place to the immediate left and right of your seating arrangement, with the speakers elevated to roughly standing ear level. If you don't have enough room to the left and right, you can always mount the speakers behind your viewing area. <ref | + | #*Surround-sound speakers are best place to the immediate left and right of your seating arrangement, with the speakers elevated to roughly standing ear level. If you don't have enough room to the left and right, you can always mount the speakers behind your viewing area. <ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #Plug in your receiver. Once you've determined roughly where everything should go, attach your receiver to your TV and any existing pieces of hardware (consoles, Blu-ray, etc.). You should have a general A/V input (i.e., HDMI cable, optical cable, coaxial cable) to connect your TV to your receiver--this will differ based on your hardware, especially if you have older TV and receiver models. <ref>http://lifehacker.com/how-to-build-your-first-home-theater-from-nothing-474775110</ref> | + | #Plug in your receiver. Once you've determined roughly where everything should go, attach your receiver to your TV and any existing pieces of hardware (consoles, Blu-ray, etc.). You should have a general A/V input (i.e., HDMI cable, optical cable, coaxial cable) to connect your TV to your receiver--this will differ based on your hardware, especially if you have older TV and receiver models. <ref name="rf5">http://lifehacker.com/how-to-build-your-first-home-theater-from-nothing-474775110</ref> |
#*You may want to pull your TV away from the wall while you do this for ease of access. | #*You may want to pull your TV away from the wall while you do this for ease of access. | ||
#Plug your front speakers into your receiver. This is where you'll need your speaker cable; though some brands include these cables by default, you're better off buying your own. | #Plug your front speakers into your receiver. This is where you'll need your speaker cable; though some brands include these cables by default, you're better off buying your own. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
*If you're willing to spend a little extra cash, consider hiring a professional to install and calibrate your audio system. The amount you'll get back in time and sound quality will likely be worth the fee. | *If you're willing to spend a little extra cash, consider hiring a professional to install and calibrate your audio system. The amount you'll get back in time and sound quality will likely be worth the fee. | ||
| − | *Avoid buying a soundbar. Although they are becoming increasingly popular with consumers, their limited audio output and static positioning render them inferior to a true sound system. <ref>http://www.cnet.com/news/before-you-buy-a-sound-bar-speaker-read-this/</ref> | + | *Avoid buying a soundbar. Although they are becoming increasingly popular with consumers, their limited audio output and static positioning render them inferior to a true sound system. <ref name="rf6">http://www.cnet.com/news/before-you-buy-a-sound-bar-speaker-read-this/</ref> |
*Universal items such as HDMI cables, speaker cable, ethernet wires, and power strips can--and should--be purchased ahead of time. Buy these online before you set out to purchase your remaining hardware; this is by far the cheapest option. | *Universal items such as HDMI cables, speaker cable, ethernet wires, and power strips can--and should--be purchased ahead of time. Buy these online before you set out to purchase your remaining hardware; this is by far the cheapest option. | ||
*The manual that comes with your equipment will more often than not describe exactly how to hook up your speakers to one another. This is another great reason to buy everything from the same company, since most Sony or Bose speakers will adhere to the same basic guidelines as their previous or future models. | *The manual that comes with your equipment will more often than not describe exactly how to hook up your speakers to one another. This is another great reason to buy everything from the same company, since most Sony or Bose speakers will adhere to the same basic guidelines as their previous or future models. | ||
