| Outside of the quality of the screen or the | | | | speakers. In a typical surround sound system, |
| display technology that you choose for your | | | | you have 4 high-range speakers. It is usually |
| big screen system, your choice of the right | | | | recommended that these be hung from the |
| home theatre speakers is probably the next | | | | ceiling in the four corners of the room where |
| most important choice you can make. Why? | | | | the big screen system is located. Next you |
| Because good quality audio combined with the | | | | have 1 or 2 mid-range speakers, which I |
| big screen reality of the visual make for the | | | | usually put on either side of the big screen, |
| total ultimate big screen experience, and the | | | | about 1 to 1.5 feet away from the edge. |
| audio component is not a place where you want | | | | Finally, the sub-woofer is located on the |
| to cheap out. | | | | floor next to the big screen itself, ideally |
| | | | elevated off the floor on some kind of |
| Your surround sound system should be at least | | | | decorative platform about 4 to 6 inches. Now |
| Dolby 5.1, and with the latest technologies | | | | all of this said, much of this will of course |
| available, it's not a quantum leap in price | | | | depend on the makeup and characteristics of |
| to go with a Dolby 7.1 system. A system like | | | | the room you have designated to house your |
| this "divides" the sound going to your | | | | big screen and home theatre speakers, but |
| speakers, so that the high ranges go through | | | | this can be viewed as a general rule of |
| these speakers, the mid-ranges go through | | | | thumb. |
| those other speakers, and the bass is pumped | | | | |
| through a footstool-sized sub-woofer. If you | | | | If running cables all over is not your idea |
| wanted to, you could even go the extra mile | | | | of a good time, one of your options here is |
| with your home theatre speakers and look into | | | | to use a wireless system. This consists of a |
| expanding your audio system with "Bass | | | | wireless transmitter near your surround sound |
| Shakers" which are attached to your loungers | | | | amplifer, and a wireless receiver that your |
| and/or sofas, which is further detailed at | | | | home theatre speakers plug in to. Where this |
| this site in the home theatre seating | | | | type of setup is most useful is in the |
| article. | | | | ceiling-mounted high-range speakers, since it |
| | | | is generally a major pain in the backside to |
| But the key here is the use of surround | | | | run physical wiring through drywall, into the |
| sound, which uses technology to make it | | | | attic, then drop it again through the ceiling |
| appear that the sound is coming from all | | | | at exactly the right place. If your home |
| around you. Of course, a key component in | | | | carpentry skills are a bit on the lean side, |
| allowing your home theatre speakers to | | | | you may wish to consider a wireless setup for |
| emulate this is the placement of the | | | | those speakers. |