| So you've already shelled out big bucks for | | | | (Left & Right) + Subwoofer + 1 Rear Surround |
| that flat panel TV, but what about sound? | | | | |
| Stereo sound enhances television and movies | | | | - 7.1 Setup: 1 Center Channel + 2 Front |
| by immersing you in the on-screen action, | | | | Channels (Left & Right) + 2 Rear Channels |
| surrounding you in atmospheric music and | | | | (Left & Right) + Subwoofer + 2 Rear Surrounds |
| sound effects. Get the most out of your | | | | |
| plasma or LCD flat screen purchase by | | | | Speaker Layout and Positioning |
| investing in a quality sound system. | | | | |
| | | | Not many people know that different speaker |
| Basic Speaker Setup | | | | layouts are recommended for viewing versus |
| | | | listening. For general TV and movie viewing, |
| Not every home theater needs an expensive, | | | | place the front channel speakers at the edges |
| state-of-the-art surround sound system. | | | | of your flat panel TV, pointing toward the |
| Depending on your room size and budget, you | | | | seating or viewing area. The center channel |
| may find that a simple two-speaker setup is | | | | speaker should be positioned either above or |
| all you need to enhance your TV-watching | | | | below the flat panel TV. Rear channel |
| experience with stereophonic sound. A | | | | speakers should be positioned either high up |
| two-speaker setup is best positioned in front | | | | on left and ride side walls, or set just |
| of the listener, preferably with one speaker | | | | behind the viewing area in a dipole setup. |
| placed on each side of the TV. Different | | | | For music listening, all speakers should be |
| audio channels produce different types of | | | | placed in a manner that surrounds the |
| sound, which vary by manufacturer. Testing a | | | | listening area in a circle with all |
| pair of speaker's sound quality in store | | | | components equidistant from the center. |
| before buying is recommended. | | | | |
| | | | If your TV viewing or music listening area |
| Home Theater Surround Sound Setup | | | | seems too small to fill with so many |
| | | | speakers, consider purchasing specialty |
| For a truly immersive TV-watching experience, | | | | speaker stands and mounts to save on space. |
| go the extra mile and invest in a multiple | | | | Some types of speaker mounts enable you to |
| speaker setup to create a home theater with | | | | install speakers into your walls and |
| surround sound. A basic home theater setup | | | | ceilings, freeing up much-needed floor space |
| (4.0) requires four speakers to create | | | | and surface area. Smaller speakers can also |
| surround sound, but adding a subwoofer will | | | | be placed on tabletops and bookshelves. Many |
| provide those rich, deep, low bass sounds | | | | pieces of home entertainment furniture have |
| that round out the overall effect. | | | | special built-in shelves or cabinets for |
| | | | holding speakers. Large speakers can be |
| Below is a quick breakdown of surround sound | | | | mounted or, depending on personal taste, left |
| speaker setups: | | | | freestanding on the floor. |
| | | | |
| - 4.0 Setup: 2 Front Channels (Left & Right) | | | | Speakers can usually be purchased in complete |
| + 2 Rear Channels (Left & Right) | | | | sets. Many stores sell surround sound |
| | | | systems that consist of a group of speakers, |
| - 4.1 Setup: 2 Front Channels (Left & Right) | | | | a subwoofer, plus an audio receiver |
| + 2 Rear Channels (Left & Right) + Subwoofer | | | | component. It is almost always more |
| | | | cost-effective to purchase speakers in sets |
| - 5.1 Setup: 1 Center Channel + 2 Front | | | | like these, and you'll find they're easier to |
| Channels (Left & Right) + 2 Rear Channels | | | | set up as well. Now that you're familiar |
| (Left & Right) + Subwoofer | | | | with the basics of stereo speaker sound, |
| | | | you're on your way to creating a great sound |
| - 6.1 Setup: 1 Center Channel + 2 Front | | | | setup to compliment your new flat panel TV! |
| Channels (Left & Right) + 2 Rear Channels | | | | |