Home Theater

Home Theater – Optimize your system with the best speaker setup

There are no hard-and-fast rules for what turns a room with a TV into a full-fledged “home theater”. At the very least it’s a bigger, better picture with bigger, better sound. But it isn’t just electronics junkies and lottery winners who are going in for home theater systems… condo owners who want a more engaging cinema experience — minus the overpriced popcorn — are upgrading as well, thanks to affordable options for nearly every budget.

To set up a theater in your condo, you’ll first need to acquire the necessary components: TV, receiver, DVD player, speakers… and of course, you’ll have to put it all together. The idea is to make your home theater feel as much like the real thing as possible.

The Seating Position – The display should be front and center and at eye level, not off to the side so people have to strain their necks. This is the focal point of the system and will affect all of your speaker placements.

Left and Right Speakers – Both speakers should be equidistant from your TV (and you) -a good set up is usually three feet away on each side. Also, they should be placed at ear-level height when you are seated.

Center Speaker – Aptly named, the center speaker should be centered with your TV and your seating position, It can be placed above or below your TV; the most important aspect is that it be as close to your ear-level as possible

Left and Right Speaker Angle – The angle of your left and right speakers should be a straight line. As a starting position, the speakers should be pointed at you, angled inward for the best sound.

Subwoofer – The subwoofer delivers bass, which is omnidirectional sound. That means that the subwoofer can be placed in a variety of locations, and the angle is unimportant. You should not, however, put it in a corner, or it will create “boom” bass that is both too heavy and too muddy. For the best rumbling effect, put it on the floor behind the seating area or against a wall.

Left and Right Surround Speakers – These speakers should be placed to the sides of your seating position. These speakers are designed to be just above ear-level to maximize ambiance.

… and note that speakers sound better when they’re on stands or mounted on the wall rather than set atop bookshelves or cabinets.

When thinking home theatre, remember that in the end what’s important is not snazzy new technology or killer specs but how comfortable and enjoyable your home theater is to you.

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