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