Are you in the market for a new home theater system? With so many options out there, it can be tough to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together this home theater buying guide to help you navigate the world of TVs, speakers, and all the other gear you need for the ultimate movie-watching experience.
The Television
Let’s start with the centerpiece of any home theater: the TV. When shopping for a TV, the first thing you need to decide is what size you want. If you’re setting up your home theater in a smaller room, a 40-50 inch TV might do the trick. But if you have a big living room or a dedicated home theater room, you might want to go bigger. Just keep in mind that the bigger the TV, the more expensive it’ll be.
Once you’ve decided on the size of your TV, you’ll want to think about the type of TV you want. There are three main types of TVs: LED/LCD, OLED, and QLED. LED/LCD TVs are the most common and the most budget-friendly. They’re a good choice if you’re on a tight budget, but they don’t have the same deep blacks and rich colors as OLED and QLED TVs. OLED TVs are more expensive, but they offer some of the best picture quality you can get. They’re especially good for movies and TV shows with a lot of dark scenes, as the blacks are truly black. QLED TVs are similar to OLED TVs in terms of picture quality, but they’re more budget-friendly.
Another important factor to consider when shopping for a TV is the resolution. If you’re shopping for a new TV, you’ll want to look for one with 4K resolution. 4K TVs have four times the number of pixels as 1080p TVs, so the picture is much sharper and more detailed. If you want to future-proof your home theater, you might also want to consider an 8K TV. 8K TVs have even more pixels than 4K TVs, but the content to take advantage of it is still limited.
Once you’ve chosen your TV, it’s time to start thinking about the speakers. If you want the full home theater experience, you’ll want a sound system that includes a receiver and a set of speakers. The receiver is what connects all your devices (like your TV, Blu-ray player, and gaming console) and sends the audio to your speakers. When shopping for a receiver, look for one with plenty of HDMI inputs, so you can connect all your devices.
So What Home Theater Speakers Should You Get?
When it comes to home theater speakers, there are two main types: bookshelf and floor-standing. Bookshelf speakers are smaller and more affordable, making them a great choice for smaller rooms or if you’re on a tight budget. They’re also easy to tuck away on a bookshelf or on a stand, so they won’t take up too much space. But if you have a big room and you want a more immersive movie-watching experience, you might want to consider floor-standing speakers. These bad boys are larger and more expensive, but they deliver more sound and create a more enveloping experience.
Once you’ve decided on the type of speakers you want, you’ll want to think about the number of speakers you need. The standard setup for a home theater system is a 5.1 setup, which includes a center channel speaker, left and right front speakers, left and right rear speakers, and a subwoofer.
The center channel speaker is where most of the dialogue in a movie comes from, so it’s an important part of the setup. The left and right front speakers handle the main sound effects and music, while the rear speakers help create a more immersive experience by providing surround sound. The subwoofer is what delivers all the low-frequency bass that you feel in your chest during action scenes.
Another factor to consider when choosing speakers is the size of your room. If you have a big room, you’ll want speakers that can deliver plenty of sound, so you’ll want to choose larger speakers or add more speakers to your setup. But if you have a smaller room, you might not need as much sound, so you can go with smaller speakers or fewer speakers.
When it comes to speaker placement, it’s important to get it right. For the best experience, you’ll want to place your front speakers at an equal distance from the TV and angled slightly toward your listening position. The center channel speaker should be placed directly above or below your TV. The rear speakers should be placed behind your listening position, and the subwoofer should be placed in a corner of the room or near your front speakers.
Now, let’s talk about speaker wiring. If you’re setting up a home theater system, you’ll want to make sure you have the right cables to connect your speakers to your receiver. The most common type of speaker cable is called speaker wire, which is a pair of wires that you strip and attach to your speakers and receiver. There are also pre-made speaker cables that have connectors already attached, which can make the process a little easier.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that some home theater systems come with a set of speakers and a receiver, all in one package. These home theater in a box systems can be a convenient and budget-friendly option if you’re just starting out, but they may not deliver the same sound quality as a separate receiver and speaker setup.
The AV Receiver: The Brains of the Operation
If you’re looking to create the ultimate movie-watching experience, one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll need is an AV receiver. But with so many different types of receivers out there, it can be tough to know which one to choose. That’s why I’ve put together this guide to help you pick the perfect AV receiver for your home theater system.
First off, let’s talk about what an AV receiver does. Basically, an AV receiver acts as the central hub for your home theater system, connecting all your gear and controlling the sound and video. An AV receiver takes the audio and video signals from your various sources, like your Blu-ray player, game console, and streaming device, and sends them to your TV and speakers. And because most AV receivers have multiple HDMI inputs, you can connect multiple devices and switch between them easily.
Now, let’s talk about what to look for when choosing an AV receiver. First and foremost, you’ll want to make sure the receiver has enough HDMI inputs to accommodate all your gear. If you’re just starting out, you might only have a few devices, but over time you might add more, so it’s always better to have more HDMI inputs than you think you’ll need.
Another factor to consider is the number of channels you need. The most common home theater setup is a 5.1 setup, which includes a center channel speaker, left and right front speakers, left and right rear speakers, and a subwoofer. If you have a bigger room or you want a more immersive movie-watching experience, you might want to consider a 7.1 or even 9.1 setup, which adds more speakers for more surround sound.
The power output of an AV receiver is also important, especially if you’re using floor-standing speakers. The power output of an AV receiver is measured in watts per channel, and you’ll want to choose a receiver with enough power to drive your speakers to their full potential. If you’re using bookshelf speakers, you might not need as much power, but if you’re using floor-standing speakers, you’ll want a receiver with more power to fill your room with sound.
Another feature to look for in an AV receiver is built-in streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. If you’re a big streamer, you’ll want a receiver that has these services built-in so you can access them easily from one central place. And if you’re looking for even more convenience, you might want to consider a receiver with built-in voice control, so you can control your home theater system with just your voice.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that some AV receivers come with a set of speakers and a subwoofer, all in one package. These home theater in a box systems can be a convenient and budget-friendly option if you’re just starting out, but they may not deliver the same sound quality as a separate receiver and speaker setup.
The Blu-ray Player
Another piece of gear you’ll want to consider is a Blu-ray player. If you’re a movie buff, a Blu-ray player is a must-have. Blu-ray discs have more storage than DVDs, so they can store more data, including high-definition video and better audio. Plus, Blu-ray players often come with built-in streaming apps, so you can watch movies and TV shows from popular services like Netflix and Hulu.
First off, you’ll want to make sure the Blu-ray player you choose is compatible with the TV you’re using. Most Blu-ray players will work with most TVs, but if you have a newer TV with 4K resolution, you’ll want to choose a 4K Blu-ray player. 4K Blu-ray players will give you the best picture quality, but you’ll need a 4K TV to fully enjoy the extra resolution.
Another factor to consider is the type of discs you want to play. If you’re looking to play DVD or Blu-ray discs, you’ll want to choose a player that can handle both formats. If you’re a big music fan, you might also want a player that can play CDs, and if you’re into classic movies, you might want a player that can play SACDs or DVD-Audio discs.
An additional factor to consider is the connectivity options. Most Blu-ray players have HDMI output, which is the easiest way to connect the player to your TV, but you’ll also want to check for other options like Ethernet, USB, and Wi-Fi. If you want to stream movies and TV shows from the internet, you’ll want to choose a player with built-in Wi-Fi, and if you want to connect other gear, like a soundbar or a streaming device, you’ll want to choose a player with more connectivity options.
The speed of the Blu-ray player is also important, especially if you’re a fast-forwarder or a skip-to-the-good-part type of person. Faster players will let you skip ahead or go back in a movie more quickly, so you can get to the good stuff faster. And if you’re into gaming, you might want to choose a player that has low latency, so you can enjoy a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that some Blu-ray players come with extra features, like the ability to stream movies and TV shows, or to access online content like YouTube and Netflix. If you’re a big streamer, you might want to choose a player with built-in streaming services, but keep in mind that you’ll need a fast and reliable internet connection to enjoy these services.
Universal Remote
If you’re looking to take control of your home theater system, a universal remote might be just what you need. With so many options on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back with this guide to choosing the perfect universal remote.
First and foremost, compatibility is key. You’ll want to make sure the universal remote you choose will work with all the gear you’ve got, from your TV to your sound system and everything in between. Before you buy, check the manufacturer’s website to see if they have a list of compatible devices. If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to reach out to their customer service for help.
Once you’ve got compatibility covered, it’s time to think about the buttons. You want to make sure the universal remote you choose has all the buttons you need to control all your gear, like volume, mute, and power. Some remotes also come with programmable buttons, which can be a lifesaver if you’ve got a lot of gear and want to keep everything organized.
Another thing to consider is the number of devices you’ve got. If you’ve got a lot of gear, you might want to choose a universal remote with a large screen that can display everything at once. This way, you don’t have to flip through different screens to control different devices.
The layout of the buttons is also important. Some universal remotes have buttons that are too small or too close together, which can make them a pain to use. Look for a remote that has buttons that are easy to press and in a layout that makes sense to you.
Finally, think about the design of the remote. You want to choose a remote that looks good and feels comfortable in your hand. Some remotes are made with high-quality materials, like aluminum or leather, which can make them feel great to use. Others come with backlit buttons, which can be a lifesaver if you like to watch movies in the dark.
Cables
HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) cables are essential for transmitting high-quality video and audio from your gear to your TV. If you’ve got a 4K TV, you’ll want to make sure you get an HDMI cable that supports 4K. If you’re planning on upgrading to an 8K TV in the future, look for an HDMI cable that supports 8K. It’s always better to future-proof your setup if you can.
Next, you’ll want to think about speaker cables. If you’ve got a surround sound system, you’ll need speaker cables to connect your speakers to your AV receiver. Make sure you choose the right gauge (thickness) of speaker cable for your setup. A thicker gauge cable will deliver better sound quality, but it’ll also be more expensive.
Optical cables are also a must-have for a home theater system. They’re used to transmit digital audio from your gear to your sound system. Optical cables are great because they’re thin and flexible, making them easy to run through tight spaces. Just make sure you get the right type of optical cable for your setup (like Toslink or S/PDIF).
If you’re using a sound bar, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got an HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) cable. This type of cable allows you to send audio from your TV back to your sound bar, so you can enjoy high-quality sound without the hassle of running a bunch of separate cables.
That’s it, folks! With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect home theater system for you. Just remember to have fun and enjoy the movie-watching experience!
