Are you thinking of buying a new home theater system or upgrading your existing one?
That can be daunting task. I don't admire you!
There is so much choice out there, how on earth do you think you can make your pick for the best system that suits your preferences?
It is going to be hard work.
It's a pity that its not easier, as owning a home theater is a great addition to the home that turns the humble TV into real entertainment.
But with so many dizzying options out there, it can be a hard ball game - and you might require help finding the way through the maze of fancy names and new technologies.
What I love about home theater systems is you can mix and match different models with different brands. For example you may have a Pioneer DVD player and at the same time have BOSE speakers, as long as they remain fairly well matched then there is no problem.
But putting together home theater components requires a steep learning curve, as you need to investigate and try to find out which brand is compatible with the other.
Here are 4 tips that quickly guide's you to pick your way through the top brands for a great home theater system that meets your preferences
Tip 1. The easy way is to buy a complete home theater then you know for sure the manufacturer has got the system working perfectly.
But with all pre-made packages, though the price may be agreeable, something has to give, and in the case of home theaters that's usually the speakers - and believe me you don't want a great system with inadequate speakers.
The only way to eliminate the problem, is go to the shop, bring along your favorite "acoustic" CD, and try it out on the systems displayed there, listen carefully, if the sound is to your liking then you know the system performs well.
Tip 2. The best brands that will offer top quality include: Panasonic, Sony, Pioneer and Kenwood, also check out brands such as Yamaha, JBL, Denon, Onkyo and Bose.
Tip 3. It's always a good idea to at least investigate the opportunity of selecting the best possible combination of components that will deliver the highest entertainment value.
Say you have a sleek, elegant home theater system from Pioneer - it works like a charm, but the DVD player does not perform well with audio CDs.
But you love your music, so do you pick a Denon instead or simply choose another system with a brand that satisfies your ears.
Tip 4. Then there is the A/V receiver and speakers, which by most manufacturer standards are basic at best. The features and functions are limited when compared to the diverse potential you could get with separate receivers, just make sure the speakers and A/V receiver is compatible.
Summary
It is arguable, but I believe it is fair to say that sound is the most important aspect of the complete home theater experience. You try watching a movie where the screen is crystal clear and the sound is shady at best. It would add up to calamity for you and your family enjoying the home theater.
You just won't take pleasure in the movie and afterwards you would think to yourself "Why did I waste so much money for this home theater?"
The usual sound format is 5.1 surround - that's 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer, this is also known as Dolby Digital. If you want a more quality sound that is good, crisp and clear then try to buy a separate set of surround sound speakers, either of the same brand or from another quality (compatible) manufacturer.
