A primer on assembling a high-quality home theater system

In short: A home theater system consists of several important parts. This article tells how to correctly connect and adjust everything so that we have a full-fledged result. Here's what you need:

• A home theater receiver (receiver) so that you can connect sound speakers and reproduce multi-channel sound.
• A center channel speaker that mounts above or below the video screen.
• Front (left and right) sound speakers, which are placed on the edges of the video screen. Most often, these are floor-standing or shelf-type speakers.
• Two or four surround/effect speakers. Which are fixed next to or (and) behind the place of your question, it is recommended in the earlobe (while you are sitting).
• We also offer the use of special effect bipolar sound speakers.
• One or two low-frequency speakers (subwoofers). Most often active, with integrated power amplifiers are used.

Want additional sound effects? If your cinema receiver has Dolby Atmos audio format processing, you can install a pair of ceiling-mounted speakers. All this will not be difficult for you if you do it after coordinating the installation locations of the speakers in advance. And here we have the solution.

Now we can happily immerse ourselves in Space Odyssey or go on a Tyrannosaurus chase through the lush jungle. Watching a movie with the help of such a sound transmission system will allow you to feel like you are in the making of the events and will not leave anyone indifferent.

Our goal is to help you put together a home theater surround sound system to experience the adventures of your favorite movie characters. This introduction covers the key factors to consider when installing a home theater.

How to choose speakers for your room

The first issue to consider when designing a surround sound system is the room itself.

• How much space do you have for this purpose?

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.

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

Another question is what other tools you will have 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 it is a room intended for watching movies and concerts, stationary 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 the speakers sound and look their best. Follow the tips from our previous article on speaker placement.

Small, compact columns simplify the selection of their location.

Is this sound system useful in a family living room? It is worth considering that if the TV and sound system will not be the center of attention, by choosing compact speakers or columns, you leave space and room for other uses.

Wall-mounted speakers will not take up floor space.

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

Create maximum sound quality with floor standing speakers

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

Floor-standing speakers will provide sound depth and stage feel.

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

A home theater consists of several types of sound speakers. By understanding their importance, you will be able to perfectly assemble the sound system you need, which corresponds to the acoustic properties of your room.

Here are the basic components of a surround sound system.

Central column. Through it, dialogues are reproduced, while watching a concert - vocals are played or solos performed by instrumentalists. This channel is often referred to as the most important in a home theater system. It carries more than 50% of the audio track's information, including almost all of the dialogue. Also provides precision in reproducing effects in the central part.

The center gas column of your home theater system is responsible for most of the movie's soundtrack.

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

Surround speakers ensure the vibrancy of special effects.

In a 5.1 system, the rear power speakers are built from the edge seating.

In the 7.1 system, rear effect speakers are placed from the sides and behind the back of the listener (viewer).

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

Building a Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system.

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

You can upgrade the usual 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound system. It's a Dolby Atmos system.

What size and power to choose a subwoofer?

Movie soundtracks often surprise with effective low frequency. We recommend paying attention to your existing room where the home theater system will be located. Won't the room turn into a resonance chamber? First of all, the acoustic properties of the room should be minimally arranged. It is advisable to choose a frequency range for the column 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 low-frequency speaker is placed in front (from the position of the viewer)