EmailExperts say that audio is as important as video for creating a satisfying home-theater experience, yet the sound provided by even the best HDTVs falls short compared to what you can get with a home theater system with five to seven properly placed speakers. Although you can assemble such a system -- including a home theater receiver, a Blu-ray or DVD player and the needed speakers -- on your own, buying everything in one kit simplifies selecting a system and setting it up. There are still some decisions to be made, however, and here are some you should consider:
- Decide whether you want a Blu-ray player. Home theater systems are available with or without a Blu-ray Disc player. The advantage of those with a Blu-ray player is that they are easier to set up and often, but not always, easier to use. In addition, the Blu-ray players in home-theater kits support the latest Blu-ray technology and largely perform as well as their stand-alone counterparts, especially when viewing Blu-ray discs. Blu-ray home theaters can also play back standard def DVDs, and performance is also generally good, though not necessarily as good as you can get with the best stand-alone DVD players. Home theater systems with integrated DVD players are also available, though few do very well with reviewers.
- Decide whether you want a component-based or integrated system. Component-based home theater systems generally provide superior audio performance, along with better flexibility and easier upgrade paths. However, they are usually more expensive, bulkier and harder to set up and use. Integrated HTIBs are generally more stylish and easier to set up and use; although audio is good, it still falls short of what you can get with a component system. The other disadvantage with an integrated home theater system is that users are locked in to the Blu-ray Disc or DVD player that comes with the system, and often can't easily upgrade or replace the included speakers.
- Larger, less attractive speakers often perform better. Many home theater systems are packaged with small and/or highly styled speakers. These offer the advantage of easier placement and a more attractive appearance, but they sometimes sacrifice audio performance that's provided by beefier alternatives.
- How many audio channels do you want or need? You'll see 5.1- and 7.1-channel HTIBs. The advantage of the extra rear channels in 7.1 systems is that they can do a better job of creating a convincing surround-sound field. The disadvantage is that many listening locations can't easily accommodate proper placement of the additional speakers, and relatively few DVDs or Blu-ray Discs -- and no HDTV broadcasts -- are encoded with the extra rear channels.
Types of Systems
The task of assembling and connecting a home theater audio system can be daunting, especially for the uninitiated. Separate purchasing decisions need to be made about the A/V receiver, speaker system and, if needed, the DVD or Blu-ray player. Then there are the issues of wiring up the whole thing and integrating the system with your TV display.
A prepackaged home theater system simplifies this whole process. A home theater in a box combines a head unit (most typically an integrated A/V receiver and Blu-ray or DVD player) with a five- or seven-piece speaker system plus a subwoofer. Some home theater systems include a traditional A/V receiver, leaving the selection of a Blu-ray Disc or DVD player to the buyer.
The biggest advantage offered by an all-in-one home theater system is simplicity. Having a system of components selected to work well together reduces the number of crucial buying decisions to one. In addition, many home theater systems sport features such as automatic speaker balancing, color-coded cables and quick connect guides to make the task of setting up the system as painless as possible. The trade-off is a loss of flexibility, because the upgrade options and connectivity in a home theater system are often limited. Home theater systems in which the DVD/Blu-ray player is a separate component, or that require you to add your own, are a little more flexible and easier to upgrade, but are also more complex to hook up.
You'll see home-theater systems labeled as 5.1 or 7.1. That designation refers to the number of sound channels. For example, a 5.1 system will have five audio channels -- right front, center front, left front, right surround and left surround -- plus a subwoofer. Home theater systems designated as 7.1 add rear left and right surround channels to the mix.
More information on home theaters, including the many different types of surround-sound formats, can be found in the ConsumerSearch article on Setting up a Home Theater.