Home Theater Speaker System
Basics
When it comes to a home theater, sound is almost important
as sight. One of the biggest differences between a regular
television room and a movie theater - home or otherwise - is in
the sounds.
What's missed by using only a
television's speakers or poorly placed speakers is a lot. If
you've ever seen "Saving Private Ryan" in the theaters and then
at home, without good speakers, the difference is amazing. In
the theater, the bullets seem to whiz right by your ears. The
commotion on Normandy beach seems more realistic. It's the
sounds as well as the sights that take you there.
In the case of a regular speaker system on a television, a lot
of the action is lost. The sense of actually witnessing history
is removed as the sounds are muffled or their location of
origin lost in the shuffle. The experience the director
intended the viewer to have is gone.
Creating a good sound system for a home theater doesn't have
to be a huge, costly venture either. But it's an investment
that makes all the difference in the world.
A good home theater has generally at least five speakers.
There needs to be three in the front - right, left, and center.
There are two surrounds also in this set up. Both generally in
the back on either side. Additional speakers can add to the
realism of the sounds, but five will do the trick on a
budget.
Many companies offer the basic five in a single package with
a receiver to help quickly set up the home theater experience
in any home. These generally work on most televisions and can
take an ordinary viewing experience and make it
extraordinary.
When setting up the basic speakers, follow the instructions
that come with the system. Accessories can be added if you'd
like the back speakers to play to their full potential. These
include wall-mounting devices and even telescoping stands for
back placement.
The best way to set up a home theater surround sound system is
by experimenting with the sounds. Pick a movie with a lot of
good sound action and pop it in. Position the speakers so the
effect is similar to a movie theater. With how much rooms can
vary in sound quality and even with furniture absorbing some of
the waves or blocking them, there is no set way to set up a
sound system. The best way is to play around and figure out
what works in your home theater.
Speaker systems can get elaborate, but those on a budget
don't have to be left out of the surround sound experience. A
standard five pack of speakers can make a huge difference.
|