Do you want a cinema experience in the comfort of your home? Home theaters are audio systems that provide great surround sound–just like the cinema! If you would love to get one, check out some of the best ones we researched and picked for your consideration.
Home theater buying guide
Despite not being a new technology, home theater systems are still in vogue due to their effectiveness. We have provided the following buying guide to ensure you make the most informed decision while shopping for one.
What is a home theater?
A home theater system comprises five speakers, a subwoofer, and a center channel or a soundbar and a subwoofer. The former is the typical setup and includes four identical satellite speakers, one wired or wireless subwoofer, and one center channel.
The setup is arranged by placing the left and right front speakers on both sides of the central channel and the rear speakers to the left and right of the center channel.
Usually, the four satellite speakers are identical, but on rare occasions, the front speakers can be bigger than the rear ones. The subwoofer can go next to the central channel, but it’s best to try it out in different spots to find its sweet spot.
How does a home theater system work?
For a typical theater system to work, there must be an A/V receiver, or amplifier, in the setup. Some brands include it in their home theaters, but you have to buy it separately most of the time. However, if your setup has an active soundbar, you won’t need a receiver because it has its surround sound processor and amplifier.
Either way, the system processes the audio signal sent to the receiver or soundbar. It then converts the sound and transmits it to the speakers for output. These sound signals are sent and received through a wired or wireless connection.
What are the functions of home theater components?
Each component in a home theater system plays a vital role in the final output you hear as a listener. Without further ado, we shall list and explain them below.
A/V receiver
The audio/visual receiver is like the CPU of a home theater system. It consists of audio/video inputs and outputs, a surround sound processor, a preamplifier, and power amplifiers for each channel. It may also have HDMI ports and support WiFi or Bluetooth for wireless connections.
The primary purpose of the receiver is to receive signals, interpret them, and amplify them before finally transmitting them to the speakers.
Satellite speakers
These are divided into front and rear speakers. The front speakers are arranged at a specific angle at the front of the center channel, delivering realistic sounds.
On the other hand, rear speakers are placed behind the setup (on the left and right) and help broadcast quiet sounds like background voices or subtle sound effects, making them very important for surround sound. Similar to the front speakers, they are arranged at a specific angle to the listening area.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer is essential in producing surround sound and is designed to deliver deep and rich bass. It achieves this by broadcasting lower frequencies (between 20-200Hz) from heavy instruments like the bass guitar or kick drums or movie sound effects like an explosion or shootings in a war scene. They can be wired or wireless.
Center channel
The center channel’s purpose is to deliver conversations or dialogues in movies as clearly as possible. It does the most work in a surround sound setup, adding more emphasis or depth to special effects in film.
What are the types of home theater speakers?
The different types of speakers used in home theater setups are detailed below.
Standing speakers
These speakers are tall and placed directly on the floor. They contain drivers of different sizes to cover a wide frequency range; the drivers could be small or large and typically range between 1-10 inches.
Standing speakers are generally used as left and right front speakers. They come in different heights and designs, but every design ensures an optimal listening experience.
Bookshelf speakers
These speakers are common and have driver sizes ranging from 5-7 inches, so they are smaller than standing speakers. They usually have a built-in driver and tweeter and can be placed on the floor or mounted on the wall.
Depending on the brand’s quality, they are used as front left and right or surround sound speakers.
Wall-mounted speakers
As their name suggests, they are mounted on the wall. They are best suited as rear speakers, and the placement height depends on the sound stage. Because of their wall-mountable nature, they are generally smaller and lighter than bookshelf speakers.
In-ceiling or in-wall speakers
These speakers are mounted inside a wall or ceiling as enclosures, improving the sound quality produced. They come with different sizes of drivers, but it usually doesn’t exceed 8 inches.
What are the factors to consider when buying a home theater?
Home theaters are an excellent way to enjoy home entertainment and to get the most value for your money; consider the following.
Audio quality
Of course, you want the home theater you’re considering to deliver the best audio quality. It should be capable of producing rich and clear sounds at higher frequencies. Further, it should produce good surround sound for an immersive experience while watching movies, and the bass should be deep or thumping, especially when listening to music.
Power
At the very least, your speakers should have the minimum power rating recommended. The human ear can hear volume changes across three decibels, requiring twice the power. For instance, if a channel is rated 60W, you’ll need 120W for higher sounds. The ideal power rating for each channel in a setup is 125W.
Wired or wireless
Depending on your preference, you can opt for wired or wireless sound systems. Wired systems are effective, but you may find them outdated and their cables cumbersome. Wireless connections eliminate cables and are faster, so if you want that, confirm the system supports Bluetooth or WiFi.
Room size
Your room size determines the type of speakers or setup you’ll get. If you have a small room, then a 2.1 system will be better. However, if you have a large room, you can opt for a 5.1 system, and if it’s even larger, a 7.1 system.