An upgrade to your living room sound system can make a huge difference in the way you listen to music and watch TV. Learn how to shop for a home theater system that fits your needs and your budget with these home theater set-up tips.
Getting started
When you shop for a home theater system, first consider what you really want. Are you a serious audiophile who wants booming bass, or do you simply want to enhance your TV’s sound? Knowing what you want to experience from your home audio-visual system will help you determine how much to spend for that experience.
If you want your home theater design to include the best of everything, your best bet is to buy separate components and customize your system. You can choose your components to ensure they have enough power to fill your space with high-quality sound. Be prepared to budget generously for the best equipment, though doing a little research may help you find quality that approaches the best and remains affordable.
For the average person, building a custom home theater system may not be necessary. Instead, a prepackaged home theater system may be the best option. Prepackaged home theater systems are affordable, with decent packages starting around $200. Even if you want to upgrade to a high-definition blu-ray player, you can still find a great system for under $500. These prepackaged sets include everything you need: speakers, wires, subwoofer, and other connections. They’re made to be idiot-proof and usually install in just a few minutes.
Home theater shopping tips
Here are a few tips you can use when shopping for a home theater system:
•If you assemble your home theater system a la carte, do research to find components that work well together. Your system is only as good as its weakest link.
•With audio gear, your opinion is the one that matters most. Test out potential sound systems in the store and pick the one that sounds best to you — don’t just choose a system based on its price.
•If you already have a DVD player, you could save money by getting a system that doesn’t include one.
•Make sure a system has enough inputs and outputs. If you need to plug in components like a camcorder or MP3 player regularly, look for front panel inputs.
•Think about the kind of sound you want. If you want true surround sound, you need a full complement of speakers for the whole living room. (Keep in mind that these systems usually require you to run wires across your room to get the best effect. Only wireless home theaters don’t.) If you just want to enhance your TV’s sound, a system that includes two front speakers and a subwoofer is all you need.
Whatever system you choose, check the store’s return policy before you buy. A home theater system will sound different in the store than it does in your apartment. That’s because your own unique environment affects how sound waves reach your ears. If your new system doesn’t sound good in your apartment, you should be able to take it back.
Home theater setup tips
Keep your neighbors in mind when you set up your home theater. You may want to hear a movie from every room in your apartment, but your neighbor sure doesn’t. Keep volume levels under control by taking a few precautions during installation. Install speakers on spikes, and keep subwoofers away from shared walls to deaden loud vibrations. This way, you can enjoy your new sound system while your neighbor enjoys her sleep.
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