| There are many decisions out there pertaining to home | | | | movies, dipoles would be the way to go. However, if |
| theater. Often, the quest to find the perfect setup can | | | | you want to incorporate SACD and DVD audio into |
| ensure finding one's own insanity, similar to working for | | | | this same system, going with more of a direct |
| the boss; no pun intended. Where to begin, where to | | | | bookshelf or smaller tower is often recommended. |
| end; that is the question. Like finding the perfect | | | | With dipoles, the phase on one of the tweeter is |
| woman (ok we all know the perfect woman doesn't | | | | reversed to enhance the feel of space in your listening |
| exist), but finding the perfect home theater can often | | | | environment with movies. Bookshelves or towers will |
| feel like you're digging for gold. Whether it's a complete | | | | create a fuller response due to the increased |
| 5.1 or 7.1 system or even a 2-channel setup, you're in | | | | excursion present in each driver and larger internal |
| for a headache if you don't know where to start or | | | | volume of cabinet. These are suggested for rears with |
| even the right questions to ask. | | | | SACD and DVD audio to represent that of a live |
| First, you need to start with the source; the means to | | | | concert. |
| power your system. Many go with a receiver where | | | | The .1 in a home theater system stands for the sub. If |
| you have a processor as well as an amplifier built into | | | | it were .2 or a 5.2 system, there would be 2 subs |
| one to save space in a HT center. The other option | | | | helping to equalize bass response, producing an |
| would be to go with separates. One unit processes | | | | essential balance for action/adventure movies. |
| the information, while the other unit does the | | | | Subwoofers come in different forms for use in several |
| amplification. Separates enable a better sound quality, | | | | applications. A common type of subwoofer is one that |
| but generally cost more than a receiver. | | | | has a porthole built into the cabinet, releasing the |
| You'll next want to choose the speakers that suit you | | | | pressure. This design allows for a lower bass |
| best or sound the best to you. Once you choose a | | | | response as the driver has the opportunity to attain a |
| brand, you'll want to stick with that particular brand and | | | | lower frequency response. This type of subwoofer is |
| or same series for all speakers across your HT setup. | | | | ideal for movies, and by placing the sub into a corner |
| This will enable a proper timbre-match and assure | | | | of the room, explosions come to life more effectively. |
| what you're listening to is the way the recording studio | | | | Another type of subwoofer is one with no port hole |
| intended it to be. Timbre-matching is also crucial for | | | | built in or known as a sealed enclosure. This sub will |
| generating those subtle yet effective sounds, and | | | | play tight and accurate with the rest of the |
| having a powerful amp will only make these sounds | | | | frequencies, making this sub the most musically |
| more life-like. | | | | sounding and versatile to play with both movies and |
| A set of speakers for the front left and right of your | | | | 2-channel music. The bass response isn't generally as |
| TV should be the first set of speakers you invest in. | | | | low as that of a ported design, but often sounds |
| This decision should be based off the fact on whether | | | | cleaner and more refined in the sealed enclosure type |
| you're going to be using these speakers for movies, | | | | due to increased decay. |
| 2-channel music, or both. The size of room you're | | | | Another design, not quite as popular as the first two, is |
| placing these speakers is also a big factor in terms of | | | | the passive radiator type. This design utilizes an active |
| choosing between a tower speaker and a bookshelf. | | | | driver with one or more 'fake' drivers on opposite sides |
| Tower are generally recommended for 2-channel | | | | of the cabinet that act in a way to increase excursion |
| music, as then you wouldn't necessarily need a sub to | | | | of the overall subwoofer itself. This provides for an |
| achieve a low end response. Having towers are also | | | | efficient method to achieve a lower frequency yet |
| beneficial for movies, where a full and more accurate | | | | maintain a proportional cabinet design. These subs are |
| response would be created for movies. If your room is | | | | generally used for movie settings, but can also be used |
| on the smaller side, bookshelves may be the way to | | | | for music although a delay may occur as these subs |
| go. | | | | are purposely built to fulfill sub-low frequencies. |
| The speaker often depicted, as the most important in | | | | Speaker wire is needed to transfer the electrons from |
| an HT environment is the center channel, as about | | | | your receiver/amplifier to each channel, where by the |
| 60% of the information pertained in a movie comes | | | | means of electromagnetics, these electrons are |
| through this channel. Having a center speaker with | | | | transformed to audible sound waves. The thicker the |
| larger drivers and a decent-sized internal cabinet | | | | speaker wire, the higher the potential for more |
| volume will prove valuable for maintaining a constant | | | | electrons to travel to each speaker. If you're running |
| volume across all channels in your HT system, | | | | speaker wire longer than 25 feet, it's often |
| regardless of the movie. | | | | recommended you have speaker wire at least 12 |
| Rear speakers are the next selection for your HT | | | | gauge. |
| system. If this system is going to be used primarily for | | | | |