Basics of Home Theater

Starting a home theater journey is exciting! The best first step is to determine your budget and space, and then prioritize the core components: an AV receiver, front speakers, and a subwoofer. You can always expand later.

Where to start:

1. Plan Your Space & Budget

Choose a Location: A room with minimal windows and a rectangular shape often provides better acoustics and light control. Bonus rooms, game rooms, or spare bedrooms work well, but a living room is also fine.

Set a Budget: You can start small and build up over time. Decide what you're comfortable spending initially and what components you might add later.

Consider Acoustics: Simple steps like adding rugs on hardwood floors, acoustic panels, or heavy curtains can significantly improve sound quality by reducing echoes.

Here are key considerations for starting your home theater, including component selection and room planning:

2. Select Core Components

The essential components for a basic system are:

Display: Decide between a large flat panel TV or a projector and screen for a truly cinematic size.

AV Receiver (AVR): This is the brain of your operation, processing audio and video signals and powering your speakers. Look for one with enough channels (e.g., 5.1 or 7.1) to support your future expansion plans, multiple HDMI inputs, and features like 4K/HDR pass-through.

Speakers: Start with a quality pair of passive front left and right speakers (bookshelf, floor-standing, on wall, in-wall, or in-ceiling).

Subwoofer: This adds the deep bass that makes movies impactful. It's an important early addition that dramatically improves the sound experience.

3. Gradual Expansion Path

You don't need everything at once. A common upgrade path looks like this:

Start: AVR + Front Left/Right Speakers + Subwoofer. This is a 2.1 system.

Next Upgrade: Add a center channel speaker. This is crucial for clear dialogue, as most speech in movies comes through this channel. You now have a 3.1 system.

Further Upgrades: Add surround speakers (side or rear) for an immersive 5.1 or 7.1 setup. Ultimate Setup: Incorporate Dolby Atmos speakers for overhead sound effects, taking you to a 5.1.2 or 7.1.4 system and beyond.

4. Setup and Calibration

Placement is Key: Position your main left and right speakers at a 45-60 degree angle from your main listening position, with the center channel directly centered below or above the screen.

Run Calibration: Most modern AV receivers come with a microphone-based setup assistant (room correction) that automatically adjusts the speaker levels and delays for optimal sound in your specific room.

Start with a solid foundation, prioritize quality components for the most realistic home theater experience, and enjoy the process of building your personal cinematic experience at home!

Give us a call to help you navigate the many options to find the perfect sound for your family room or dedicated theater room.