There are a number of things that you should consider before purchasing home theater speakers. Depending upon the brand you purchase and the components that make up the rest of your system, you might find that you experience unwanted distortion or that the speakers you choose simply can?t handle the volumes at which you set your surround sound system. Take the time to talk to employees at the home theater equipment store and, if possible, listen to demo speakers that have been set up in-store so that you can get a feel for any distortion that might occur.
There are a lot of speaker systems out there, ranging from the PSB Image Series to the various Dali Ikon lines. To help you in making the right decision, make sure that you keep the following considerations in mind.
Distortion
One of the most common causes of audio distortion is having the volume set too high or having too much power coming through the speaker cables. Different speakers can have different amounts of distortion, so it?s important that you choose a brand that will have as little distortion as possible. This is definitely one situation in which you want to talk to a professional. Provide them with as much information about your home theater system as you can, including the type of receiver and amplifier that you?re using and how you plan to have the speakers mounted, so that they can better match you with something that will meet your needs.
Placement Requirements
Not all speakers are going to be mounted the same way, or even be the same size. You?re going to have to consider the space that?s available to you as well as the types that you want to include in your home theater system. You?ll need to choose from among tower speakers, in-wall speakers, wall-mounted speakers, and even in-cabinet speakers in order to decide how you want your speakers to appear. Tower speakers will require floor space or at least something to set them on, whereas wall-mounted speakers will need to have enough support within the walls to keep them from pulling out their mountings. In-wall speakers are unobtrusive, but require alterations to the walls that can be inconvenient if you decide to remove them later, while in-cabinet speakers are built in to you entertainment center or other audio cabinet but are limited on where they can be placed. Of course, a combination of different types can be used as well to help you get the most out of your speaker arrangement.
Volume Limitations
Just as some speakers will start generating distortions at higher volumes, others can also be seriously damaged if you try to turn the volume up to a higher level than they are designed to handle. Home theater speakers that can handle higher volumes may cost a bit more, but that cost is worth it if you plan on having music, movies, or other audio playing at higher levels. If you don?t want to have your audio system turned up very high, you might be better off with standard speakers.
Bass/Treble
It is important to remember that specialized speakers such as woofers and tweeters are also available and can be used to customize your audio experience to your preferences. Be sure to get assistance in designing your home theater system?s speaker arrangement so that you can bring out exactly the sounds that you most want. Many audio professionals can help you to find the perfect balance that will take your surround sound audio to the next level and make sure that you?re finished with the end result.
~Ben Anton, 2008
Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Ronny's 5th St. Audio Vision. You are invited to visit Ronny's Audio Vision and read more at http://www.ronnysaudiovision.com
Mirage Touch Panel Software For Home Theater / Whole-House Audio demonstrated by Microsoft at CEDIA
Autonomic Controls, the leading provider of integration software for Microsoft Media Center has announced a new product that enables remote access to music and video media using UMPC's and touch panels.
Furniture Blue Presents New Online Room Builder For Home Theaters, Media Rooms
Furniture Blue offers an Internet application that customizes a home theater for any size area. From the convenience of your computer, design an arrangement by launching the Room Builder on FurnitureBlue.com. Choose from a variety of seating and furniture options to create the ideal configuration.
Media Room & Home Theater Lighting
Media room lights or home theater lighting is a great way to liven up your entertainment area for your family and guests Homeowners, who own a media-theater room, are always looking for new ways to expand on the technological aspects of home theater lighting system
Gildan Audio Announces Three New Audio Book Bestsellers from Gildan Media Corp
Hear Gary Hamel - ranked as the #1 Influential Business Thinker in the WSJ - explains what fuels long-term growth. Learn How to Negotiate When Yes is Not Enough with Danny Ertel & Mark Gordon. Finally, Becoming a Resonant Leader will help you chart a journey to better leadership.
Simple Steps To Follow Before You Buy Your Home Theater Audio System
If you're ready to buy a home theater audio system here are some tips to help you find the right system for you.
Analog Devices' Audio and Video Technologies at Center of New Yamaha Digital Home Theater Receivers : ADI's Blackfin Digital Signal Processing Inn
Analog Devices, Inc. (NYSE: ADI) today announced that Yamaha Corporation (TOKSE 7951) is using ADI?s Blackfin® processor and three ICs from the Advantiv? advanced television solutions portfolio to drive high-end functionality, flexibility and intuitive operation in three audio video receivers (AVRs) from its 2008 line. In addition to providing and integrating Blackfin and Advantiv advanced television solutions components that enable true-to-life audio and video, ADI collaborated with Yamaha to engineer additional turnkey functions including HDMI? (High-Definition Multimedia Interface?) repeater capability and a Blackfin-controlled user interface.
Home Audio Speakers: Considerations When Buying Home Theater Speakers
There are a number of things that you should consider before purchasing home theater speakers. Depending upon the brand you purchase and the components that make up the rest of your system, you might find that you experience unwanted distortion or that the speakers you choose simply can?t handle the volumes at which you set your surround sound system. Take the time to talk to employees at the home theater equipment store and, if possible, listen to demo speakers that have been set up in-store so that you can get a feel for any distortion that might occur.
Smart Fox, LLC Officially Launches Smart Fox Homes
Smart Fox LLC announced today that it has launched its new website Smart Fox Homes. The site, http://www.smartfoxhomes.com , offers both free and low-cost packages for advertising homes "for sale by owner" (FSBO). Smart Fox Homes targets home sellers and real estate investors throughout the U.S. who want to sell their own homes and save on real estate commissions.
Room Lighting For Home Theaters - Control And Ambiance
Room lighting control is an important aspect for home theaters -- especially if you have a front-projector and screen set-up. Video projectors often demand a controlled lighting situation due to the lower light output of their displays. Room ambiance is another important function of lighting during a viewing as you most likely not want your guests to sit in darkness (unless it is a really creepy horror flick). Reflected room lighting is a consideration as well as you do not want a glare on the screen -- whether it be ambient light from a window or merely reflections of a lamp within your room. Ambient window lighting is major when determining your living room layout or designing a dedicated viewing room. A dedicated room would of course be ...
Bring Home The Home Theater Audio System!
Home theater audio system is gaining popularity all over. The interpretation of music has changed nowadays. People just don't want to hear the songs; they want to hear it clearly and too with special added effects. Everything changed with the introduction of the Dolby sound system in the 70's and ever since the way music was heard, changed. Now everyone wants to have their own home theater audio system. People want their audio systems to be trendy and in sync with the latest sound system. The home theaters have further added to its popularity. The popularity of these home theater audio systems is growing day by day and it's bound to grow even more in the coming future. This is one thing which the music lovers just can't miss.
Home Theater AV Magazine Online 'Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity' Launches New Site
Home theater audio and visual magazine online re-design brings the high end audio and home theater enthusiast, the best online technical reference and resource guides.
Cyber-Rain Expands Distribution Network, Now Available Through Home Automation Retailer Smarthome
Award-winning sprinkler control system saves users 30-70% on watering bills.
Autonomic Controls Announces Touch Panel Software For Home Theater and Whole-House Audio
Autonomic Controls, the leading provider of media integration software for AMX, Crestron and HAI systems has announced a new product that enables remote access to digital music and video media using UMPC's and touch panels.
Home Automation Enhances Your Lifestyle and Saves Money - Exciting Home Automation Applications
Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care of things for you, automatically, without you having to lift a finger? You bet it would. That is the promise of home automation.
Home Theater Headphones Deliver True Surround Sound and Realistic Game Audio
LTB Audio systems, Inc. is about to begin shipping their newest addition to True 5.1 Surround Sound wireless headphones. The Q-Home FX series offers the experience of a home theater audio system and the ability to game on a console system with the privacy and comfort of headphones. The new headphones are based on several patented technologies for true 5.1 separation of spatial audio channels and robust wireless functionality that allows them to deliver actual surround sound from movies, DVD's and gaming systems.