Computer speakers, home theater speakers, and surround sound systems all have a science in how to maximize the audio experience for the user. They involve knowing where to place speakers, in addition to how to use the different speaker channels. Even with the most expensive equipment available, if your speakers have not been properly configured for the room, they can sound cheap. Comparatively, if you set up a cheap pair of high quality speakers just right, you’d be surprised at the audio performance you can derive from them.
Imagine having a brand new high-definition TV setup with amazing picture quality, and all the accessories and gadgets you could want. So you sit down to watch a movie or a sports game or your favourite TV show and the sound is horrendous. Suddenly, no matter how good your flat-screen’s picture is, the experience is ruined. People give way more thought to what kind of TV they want and usually don’t give much to what speakers are preferable. Speakers are not a casual purchase. In many cases, they can make or break the home theater experience.
To know the right speaker placement for home theater audio, you must get to know the channels you’re working with. Most of us will be working with a simple two-channel stereo setup. In some cases, you’ll add a subwoofer for three channels. Additional channels can be used to create a 360-degree envelope of sound that sits around the listener. Multi-channel surround sound usually require an A/V receiver to amplify and distribute the sound signal as required. There is no maximum amount of home theater speakers required however the biggest mainstream home theater speaker collections are either 5.1 which is five speakers and a subwoofer, or 11.2 meaning eleven speakers with two subwoofers.
The subwoofer is the simplest speaker to place as it can be placed almost anywhere within the room and it should still deliver amazing low-frequency sound. Let’s say you’re working with a stereo two-channel audio speaker setup, sitting one on the left and one on the right is relatively easy to put together but there’s more to the puzzle. You want to ensure they are at listening height to the viewer, which is accomplishable using speaker mounts, in-wall speakers, or speaker stands. Also, angle the speakers inwards towards the listener, as opposed to facing outwards. Regarding larger surround sound home theater speaker systems, thankfully, a lot of those systems come with guides that show where to place speakers.
To maximize your home theater system, learning where to place your home theater speaker system is a must. Browse PrimeCables for the best deals on speaker systems and more!