| With over 500 models of home theater speakers | | | | Home theater owners or designers must determine |
| available through a generous number of high and | | | | the listening requirements and preferences for a |
| low-end brands, many consumers rely on salesperson | | | | specific room in order to create a quality home theater |
| to lead them in the right direction. Consumers with only | | | | space. Room size and layout are important factors as |
| a limited budget will undoubtedly flock to the cheapest | | | | this will dictate the speaker configuration. Logistics like |
| option available to suit there needs. This however, | | | | electrical outlet placement, room size, and useable |
| nearly always results in a less than ideal sound system | | | | room space strongly affect the type of equipment that |
| that fails to meet the expectations or needs of the | | | | can and should be put in the room. Home theater |
| owner. It is therefore a good idea to educate one's self | | | | speakers are available in many sizes. However not all |
| on the best brands, speaker styles and specifications | | | | sizes are meant for all rooms. Large speakers are not |
| that will fit a home's needs before making a choice. A | | | | advantageous for small rooms because they will need |
| home theater speaker system is typically made up of | | | | to be played at a much lower volume. This may cause |
| a front speaker, left and right speaker, a | | | | distortion to the audio. Lower quality small speakers |
| center-channel speaker, a pair of surrounds, and a | | | | used in large spaces may produce a tinny or thin |
| subwoofer. A home owner may mix-and-match | | | | sound if they are unable to produce enough sound at |
| components but help from a professional is advised to | | | | a decent output level. Speakers of similar size may |
| make sure the speakers are all compatible. These | | | | differ greatly in their sound output or reproduce |
| speaker types come in varying sizes, sound output | | | | different levels of sound unequally so it is very |
| and design. The following are the types of styles in | | | | important to listen to various speaker brands and sizes |
| which these speakers may be found: Floor-Standing | | | | and compare them before buying. Speakers are |
| speakers are the largest home theater speakers | | | | available in a variety of encasement types - natural or |
| available. They can be shifted around the theater area | | | | laminated wood, metal, and occasionally plastic, but |
| or be moved to another home. Bookshelf or Cabinet | | | | often preferences may be limited by brand or model. |
| speakers stand independently, just like floor standing | | | | Speakers are as varied as tennis shoes so make sure |
| speakers, but are smaller and can be placed on or in | | | | you try on several and know how they fit into your |
| entertainment centers or shelving to save space. | | | | home theater before making a purchase. ~ Ben Anton, |
| In-Wall speakers require no floor space, and can | | | | 2008 |
| disappear if matching the walls. Their quality is usually | | | | Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Ronny's |
| very good, but they need professional installation and | | | | 5th St. Audio Vision. We invite you view the latest |
| wiring. On-Wall speakers are recommended for use | | | | on-wall and cabinet home theater speakers from |
| with a flat-panel television. They provide exceptional | | | | vendors like Quad and Dali at Ronny's home theater |
| sound as well as a pleasing aesthetic component. | | | | speaker and home theater system store. |