Outside of the quality of the screen or the display technology that you choose for your big screen system, your choice of the right home theatre speakers is probably the next most important choice you can make. Why? Because good quality audio combined with the big screen reality of the visual make for the total ultimate big screen experience, and the audio component is not a place where you want to cheap out.
Your surround sound system should be at least Dolby 5.1, and with the latest technologies available, it’s not a quantum leap in price to go with a Dolby 7.1 system. A system like this “divides” the sound going to your speakers, so that the high ranges go through these speakers, the mid-ranges go through those other speakers, and the bass is pumped through a footstool-sized sub-woofer. If you wanted to, you could even go the extra mile with your home theatre speakers and look into expanding your audio system with “Bass Shakers” which are attached to your loungers and/or sofas, which is further detailed at this site in the home theatre seating article.
But the key here is the use of surround sound, which uses technology to make it appear that the sound is coming from all around you. Of course, a key component in allowing your home theatre speakers to emulate this is the placement of the speakers. In a typical surround sound system, you have 4 high-range speakers. It is usually recommended that these be hung from the ceiling in the four corners of the room where the big screen system is located. Next you have 1 or 2 mid-range speakers, which I usually put on either side of the big screen, about 1 to 1.5 feet away from the edge. Finally, the sub-woofer is located on the floor next to the big screen itself, ideally elevated off the floor on some kind of decorative platform about 4 to 6 inches. Now all of this said, much of this will of course depend on the makeup and characteristics of the room you have designated to house your big screen and home theatre speakers, but this can be viewed as a general rule of thumb.
If running cables all over is not your idea of a good time, one of your options here is to use a wireless system. This consists of a wireless transmitter near your surround sound amplifer, and a wireless receiver that your home theatre speakers plug in to. Where this type of setup is most useful is in the ceiling-mounted high-range speakers, since it is generally a major pain in the backside to run physical wiring through drywall, into the attic, then drop it again through the ceiling at exactly the right place. If your home carpentry skills are a bit on the lean side, you may wish to consider a wireless setup for those speakers.
Home Theatres
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One of the most important aspects of a home theatre doesn’t even involve the TV, the DVD player, the projectors (if chosen) or even anything electronic. What good is having the best home theatre in the entire neighborhood if everyone has to sit on metal folding chairs to enjoy it? Finding comfortable but appropriate seating not only allows a solid level of comfort throughout any viewing event, but it also enhances the entire home theatre experience.
Obviously cheap metal folding chairs you can buy for $10 at Wal-Mart are probably not your best choice for home theatre seating. That would actually be a major whiff. The choices for various home theatre seating options are extensive, and each has some solid merit and may depend on how many people you generally plan on having over to enjoy the system.
Some people like movie theatre type chairs to give it an authentic experience, while for others a comfortable sofa of several recliners is as good as it gets. Don’t limit your options, either. This is your home theatre system, and you should get not only seating that works well for the look and feel of your system, but seating that you will legitimately enjoy using. If you want recliners, you can even consider massage recliners, high quality (i.e. not dragged off the corner after college lets out for the summer) top of the line recliners.
Home theatre seating is important because if you aren’t comfortable while watching a great home theatre system, then what’s the point of the rest of it? It doesn’t matter how good the rest of the system is because no one will be comfortable watching anything. In fact, the right home theatre seating is arguable almost as important as the sound and picture quality of the home theatre itself! If you don’t like the idea of a couch in a home theatre set up, consider a series of recliners in a row. Not only do you get the amazing comfort of recliners, but by having them lined up in a row you can still have the effect of a theatre setting.
If you’re still confused as how to choose appropriate home theatre seating, consider the following check list:
* Is it comfortable?
* How many are usually going to be here? A lot, or only a few?
* Is the room big enough so no one is crowded?
* Do you have the budget to create the theatre you want with the furniture you want? Do you need to downgrade slightly?
* With recliners, can you still see everyone from a relaxed position? Can everyone else?
* Do you have full support?
These are important questions, and if you can answer all of them confidently, then congratulations, you’re on your way to an excellent home theatre set up that you, your family, and your friends are going to enjoy immensely. Above all, find what’s right for you, since no matter how social you are, this is, in the end, for you to enjoy.
Home Theatres
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