It is amazing when you think about all the sophisticated display
technology that goes into a modern flat-screen TV. And then you
get two tinny, 10-watt speakers to go with it. That's fine for TV
sitcoms, but it won't cut it for movie effects and soundtracks.
That's why you want a separate sound system. I'll run through your
best options from cheap to expensive. The good news: Even the
least-expensive options will dramatically improve the sound of your
new TV.
If you want improved sound for a TV in a spare bedroom or very
small living room, a three-speaker system will be your best bet. You
will also see these advertised as 2.1 systems. That's because they
have two (left and right) speakers and a subwoofer. Subwoofers are
specialized speakers that produce low-frequency bass. It gives your
music and movie soundtracks extra punch.
A good example system is the see-through Harman Kardon
Soundsticks III. This is intended for computers, but it works
fine for TVs in smaller rooms. Just be sure your TV has a
headphone jack. If you're an audiophile and have the budget, the
Bose CineMate Series II cranks out a more immersive three-dimensional
sound.
For a larger room, consider a sound bar. Sound bars are a huge a
hit with HDTV owners because they look great and cut down on
clutter. You don't have to run speaker wires from one side of the
room to the other!
The Sony HT-CT150 is a good example of a powered sound
bar. Its slender cabinet houses three 50-watt speakers. The system
includes a separate wired subwoofer. Three HDMI inputs let you
plug in your DVD/Blu-Ray player, a gaming console and a streaming
video gadget.
More-expensive sound bars include more speakers and wireless
subwoofers. They have sound-blending technology to create a
convincing surround-sound experience. You can spend $1,500 to $
2,000 on a high-end sound bar. As with conventional speakers,
consider larger and more-powerful sound bars for larger TVs and
larger rooms.
Be aware that some sound bars are non-powered and need to be
plugged into a separate receiver unit containing an amplifier. These
sound bars are typically designed to work with other speakers in a
5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. They typically take the place of
the front left, center and right speakers.
A true 5.1 surround-sound home theater system puts a discrete left
and right speaker on each side of the TV, and a center channel
speaker underneath or above the screen. The center channel
delivers more than 50 percent of a movie soundtrack, including
most of the dialogue.
The subwoofer is usually on the floor in the front of the system.
However, you can move it to improve the sound or to hide it for a
cleaner setup.
Then there are the two rear surround speakers. They deliver
atmospheric and directional sounds, such as pouring rain or bullets
whizzing by. A 7.1 system adds two more rear surround speakers to
take full advantage of Blu-ray and 3D movies that feature 7.1 audio
tracks.
Wireless speaker technology is coming along, but it'll be a few more
years until it sounds as good as wired speakers. So, you'll have to
deal with visible wires around your theater room, unless you want to
perform a major remodel and run the wires through the walls.
Your best bet is to run the wires along the baseboards. You won't
trip over them and they'll be reasonably out of sight.
For surround-sound, you can buy a pre-made home theater in a box,
or build your own system with individual components. You can find
an entry-level, easy-setup 5.1 system with a Blu-Ray player for as
little as $200.
The Blu-Ray player is often combined with the amplifier that drives
the speakers. I'm not a big fan of these systems. If the disk player
dies, your entire system is kaput.
With the Onkyo HT-S5500 package ($400), you get a real home
theater receiver and all the speakers you need for 7.1 surround
sound. You'll need to provide own Blu-ray or DVD player.
Other manufacturers offer just the speakers. You add the receiver
and disc player. A build-your-own system like this will cost you the
most money but also allows the best possible sound.
Another positive point of a build-your-own system is that you can
put it together over time. If money is tight right now, buy a receiver
and the left and right speakers. You'll have a nice stereo setup.
Later, you can add a subwoofer and the center channel. Get the
surrounds last when you're ready. For the best sound, stay with the
same speaker manufacturer - don't mix and match.
The receiver is the heart of the component system, so shop
carefully. If you think you'll want 7.1 capability and PC networking in
the future, buy a receiver with those features now.
Most home theater receivers can also drive a spare pair of speakers
on the patio or in the home office. You can buy quality 5.1 receivers
from Onkyo, Pioneer and Denon for $200-250; 7.1 receivers start at
about $400.
An amazing display and killer audio are a great first step in the quest
for the ultimate home theater. Here are some more things you'll
want to think about.
Buying home theater components is just the beginning. If they
aren't set up correctly, you just wasted your money. Learn the
right way to set up your home theater .
Streaming online video is increasing in popularity. Find out what
equipment you need and what models are the best.
Home theaters are often made up of multiple components from
different manufacturers. You might end up with multiple remotes
lying around, which is confusing. Learn how to control everything
with one remote .
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