Starting a quality home cinema system

In short: A home theater system consists of several important parts. This article tells you how to connect and adjust everything correctly to get the most out of your home theater system. Here's what you need:

• A home theater receiver so you can connect speakers and play multi-channel sound.
• A center channel speaker that is mounted above or below the video screen.
• Front (left and right) speakers, which are placed at the edges of the video screen. Most often, these are floor-standing or bookshelf-type speakers.
• Two or four surround/effect sound speakers. Which are mounted next to or (and) behind your questioning position, preferably at the ear level (while you are sitting).
• We also suggest using special effect bipolar speakers.
• One or two low-frequency speakers (subwoofers). Most often used are active ones, with integrated power amplifiers.

Want extra sound effects? If your home theater receiver has Dolby Atmos processing, you can install a pair of in-ceiling speakers. This won't be difficult for you if you plan out where to install the speakers in advance. And here we have the solution.

Now we can enjoy a Space Odyssey or a Tyrannosaurus chase through the lush jungle. Watching a movie with such a sound system will make you feel like you are in the middle of the action and will not leave anyone indifferent.

Our goal is to help you put together a home theater surround sound system that will give you the same adventures as your favorite movie characters. This introduction outlines the key factors to consider when setting up a home theater.

How to choose speakers for your room

First question When designing a surround sound system, one thing to consider is the room itself.

• How much space do you have for this?

A large, open-plan living room with vaulted ceilings requires different measures than a small or medium-sized room with low ceilings.

Floor-standing speakers are more suitable for larger, open spaces.

Bookshelf-type speakers placed on specially designed stands or wall-mounted speakers are suitable for smaller spaces.

Next question, what other tools will you need to use in that room. Is this a family room where children play? Then you might want to use in-wall speakers or wall-mounted speakers. On the other hand, if this is a room for watching movies and concerts, stationary floor-standing speakers will not harm children or pets. And you will have the maximum effect.

Where will you hear the best sound?

Consider the layout and shape of your room. Where your speakers will play and look best. Follow the advice in our previously published article on speaker placement.

Small, compact speakers simplify the selection of their location.

Is this sound system planned for a family living room? It's worth considering that if the TV and sound system will not be the center of attention, choosing compact speakers or columns will leave space and room for other needs.

Wall-mounted speakers won't take up floor space.

There is always the option of wall-mounted speakers.In this case, you will have quality sound even without installing a floor.

Create the ultimate sound quality with floor-standing speakers

If space is not an issue – choose floor-standing speakers. They will create a feeling as if you are in the center of all the events shown in the film. The volume of the speakers allows you to reproduce sound in a wider frequency range. You will feel like in a real movie theater. Floor-standing speakers, working in stereo mode, are perfect for listening to music.

Floor-standing speakers will provide sound depth and a sense of stage.

What role does each speaker play in a home theater system?

A home theater consists of several types of speakers. Understanding their importance will help you create the perfect sound system for you, one that matches the acoustics of your room.

Here are the main components of a surround sound system.

Center speaker. It reproduces dialogues, while watching a concert – vocals or instrumental solos are heard. This channel is often called the most important in a home theater system. It transmits more than 50% of the soundtrack information, including almost all of the dialogue. It also provides accuracy when reproducing effects in the center part.

The center channel speaker in your home theater system is responsible for the majority of a movie's soundtrack.

Front speakers. They reproduce the main part of the movie soundtrack, as well as most of the sound effects.

Surround speakers ensure the liveliness of special effects.

In the 5.1 system, the rear effect speakers are placed from the edge seating area.

In a 7.1 system, the rear effect speakers are placed on the sides and behind the listener (viewer).

Speakers can be placed on stands or mounted on the wall. Most traditional, bookshelf-type speakers can be used as effect speakers. Bipolar/dipolar speakers are also widely used, which emit sound in different directions, which enhances the effect.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system development.

You will need a pair or two pairs of speakers that will be mounted in the ceiling, above the side effect speakers.

A conventional 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system can be improved. This is the Dolby Atmos system.

What size and power should I choose for a subwoofer?

Movie soundtracks often surprise with impressive low frequencies. We recommend paying attention to your existing room, where the home theater system will be located. Will the room turn into a resonance chamber? First of all, you should minimally improve the acoustic properties of the room. It is advisable to choose a frequency range for the speaker itself. The larger the diameter of the speaker, the more “low” we will get. If possible, we recommend choosing a larger subwoofer.

Most often, the subwoofer is placed in the front (from the viewer's position)