Setting up a home theater system with a nice surround sound experience requires choosing the right speakers for your space and needs. There are many factors to consider when selecting speakers like size, type, power handling, and more. In this blog post, we will cover the various speaker options available and provide tips on how to select speakers that are a good fit for your home AV setup.
Types of Home Theater Speakers
There are different speaker types that play distinct roles in a surround sound home theater system. Knowing the basics can help guide your selection process.
Front Left and Right Speakers
These are the primary speakers that provide the main channel audio for movies and television shows. They should be capable of clear mid-range and high-frequency reproduction for dialog. Floor standing or bookshelf models are commonly used.
Center Channel Speaker
The center speaker is crucial for dialog clarity. It is positioned in the center of the front wall and matches the front left and right speakers. Opt for a model with at least 4 inches of mid-bass drivers.
Surround Speakers
These speakers, positioned on the sides and slightly behind the listening position, immersively bring ambient effects and directional cues from movies and games. Bookshelf or in-wall/in-ceiling options work well here.
Rear Surround Speakers
For 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems, add rear surround speakers behind the seating area for an even more immersive effect. Bookshelf, in-wall or Dolby Atmos up-firing modules can serve this purpose.
Subwoofer
A dedicated subwoofer handles the low-bass effects, freeing the other speakers to focus on clear mid-range and higher frequencies. Power and size depend on room size. Sealed or ported options are common.
Understanding Speaker Specifications
To ensure your new speakers have the power handling needed and frequency response suited for your home theater, consider some key spec points:
Power Handling: Measured in watts, this indicates how much power the amplifier can deliver before speaker damage. Consider your receiver's power output.
Frequency Response: The range of frequencies, in Hertz (Hz), a speaker can reproduce clearly. 80-20k Hz is typical for home audio.
Impedance: Measured in Ohms, most receivers are compatible with 4-8 ohm speakers. Stick with manufacturer's guidelines.
Sensitivity: How loudly the speaker will play at a given power level, in decibels (dB). Higher is better, usually between 85-95 dB/W/m.
Drive Units: Pay attention to tweeter, midrange and woofer size and quality for quality sound throughout the spectrum.
Choosing Based on Room Size
The size and layout of your listening space is an important factor when selecting speakers. General guidelines for different room sizes are:
Small Room (10x12 feet or less)
Bookshelf speakers for the fronts, center and surrounds are perfect.
8-10 inch subwoofer to handle low-end.
Medium Room (12x15 feet)
Graduate to floor standing front speakers if possible
Center channel can be bookshelf or compact center
10-12 inch subwoofer
Large Room (15x20 feet or more)
Floor standing speakers for all channels
Large center channel at least 6.5 inches
12-15 inch powerful sealed or ported subwoofer
Custom Home Theater (20x30 feet+)
Consider in-wall or in-ceiling for surrounds and Atmos
Two subwoofers for heavy bass throughout
Large floor standing towers or even monitor audio speakers
Testing Speakers in Your Space
The best way to determine if speakers will perform well is to audition them in your specific room. Some tips:
Bring content on your phone or laptop to test different genres of music and films.
Ensure speakers can handle high volumes without distortion.
Check for clear sound throughout the frequencies and dispersion from various angles. Nearfield positioning may require toe-in.
Evaluate center channel for loud, clear dialog even off-axis seating positions.
Consider placement and acoustics challenges like open floor plans or vaulted ceilings which impact sound.
Consult www.rtings.com for speaker reviews by size from users in different room types.
Budgeting for Your Speaker System
Top quality speaker packages or separate components can range widely in price depending on your needs and room size. Here are some common price points:
Budget Basic 5.1 Setup: $300-$500 total (bookshelf speakers, basic AV receiver, smaller subwoofer)
Mid-Range 5.1: $500-$1000 (compact surrounds, better receiver, 8-10” subwoofer)
Above Average 5.1: $1000-$2000 (floor standing fronts, separate components, better subwoofer)
High-End Home Theater: $2000-$4000 (monitor audio, separate amps, duel subwoofers, Atmos modules)
Dream Theater: $4000+ (high-end brands, modular components, acoustically treated room)
Always factor in additional costs for speaker wire, mounts, wall treatments, etc. It's better to start with a solid mid-range system within budget that can be upgraded piecemeal over time.
Final Considerations
Setting up an awesome surround sound system takes some research but selecting the right speakers is invaluable for an immersive movie watching or gaming experience. Take your time auditioning options that fit your space, budget while meeting specifications. With careful planning and due diligence, you'll end up with a speaker system perfect for your home AV entertainment needs.
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