A home theater system is your golden ticket to an immersive, cinematic viewing experience without leaving the comfort of your own home. Having an A/V receiver, subwoofer, and satellite speakers all working together gives you a much better sound quality than your TV’s internal speakers. However, it might be difficult to hone in on the perfect home theater system, what with so many different models, brands, and features to consider. This manual is meant to serve as a starting point for those considering purchasing a home theater system.
Some Things to Think About Before Buying a Home Theater
Channel architecture
Different home theater systems range from simple 2.0 stereo configurations (2 speakers + no subwoofer) to high-end 11.1 surround sound systems (11 speakers + 1 subwoofer). There is no universally accepted formula for determining the optimal number of speakers for a given room size, but in most medium-sized home theaters, a 5.1 system (5 speakers + 1 subwoofer) is the norm for creating a truly immersive surround-sound experience. A larger space may necessitate a system with more than seven channels.
Type of speakers
You can spread out your speakers as you like, as there are many different sizes and shapes to choose from.
Bookshelf speakers
These bookshelf speakers are small enough to fit on a shelf, but powerful enough to play audio in the midrange and above. Alternatively, you can mount them on the wall.
Floor-standing speakers
These are available in a variety of sizes and are capable of handling a wide spectrum of frequencies.
Speakers installed in the wall or ceiling
To achieve a minimalistic and sophisticated appearance, these speakers can be flush mounted into the wall or ceiling.
Layout
It’s recommended that front speakers be placed at a same distance from the screen and at ear height, while surround speakers be placed approximately 110-120 degrees behind the listening position and 1 to 2 feet above head level. It’s also important to place the center speaker at ear level.
Budget
A home theater in India can cost anywhere from 1500 (less than $2) for a simple 2.1-channel unit to several hundred thousand rupees (over $10,000). There are brands and styles available to meet every budget, so it’s up to you to determine which features are essential and which are only icing on the cake.
Viewing angles
A large screen has the potential to evoke realistic cinematic feelings, but it is vital to consider all of the available viewing angles before watching. When viewed from twice the screen’s diagonal width away, the ideal viewing angle is between 30 and 40 degrees. Ideal viewing position has the screen’s center at eye level.
Brand
There are a plethora of low-priced home theater systems to choose from. On the other hand, if you care about quality, longevity, and support, it can be worth it to spend a little more now on a well-known, dependable brand. Philips, Sony, Logitech, Mitashi, and Samsung are just a few of the reliable brands out there.
Compatibility
Before committing to a purchase, make sure your home theater components will work with your current setup. Be sure there is an extra HDMI port on your TV or projector for connecting additional cables.
