The next components to consider for your home theater system are the loudspeakers. Just as the size and type of room dictates the type of video display device you need, the same factors also affect the speakers you need for your home theater. Two key points to remember:
A. Before you buy - listen to several types of speaker setups.
B. Consider buying the same brand and related model speakers for your home theater. This will insure that you will have a better acoustical match between both the speakers and the room. Check out more on Loudspeakers: Loudspeaker Basics and Products.
5. A Subwoofer:
The advent of home theater has introduced the Subwoofer to many consumers. A subwoofer is a specialized speaker that only reproduces the extreme low frequencies present in movies or music. There are several types of subwoofers you can use in a home theater system, and, once again, the size and type of room, and issues such as whether the room is carpeted or not will help you determine which subwoofer is right for you. Once again, you need to perform listening tests.
6. Source Components:
At a minimum, you need some type of DVD player for your home theater system. Two things to consider in a DVD player: Progressive Scan and Upscaling capability. This will insure you get the best possible image from your DVDs, especially if you are viewing them on an HDTV.
Since all DVD players can play CDs, you many not need a CD player. However, having a separate CD-only player in a home theater system is quite common, especially if it is a high-end unit providing better CD audio performance.
Also, if you decide to get a Blu-ray Disc player to access true high definition source content, instead, or in addition to, a DVD player, you can also use it to play standard DVDs and, in most cases, audio CDs as well. For more on the Blu-ray Disc (or HD-DVD) player option, check out my articles Before You Buy a Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD Player, and Blu-ray and HD-DVD FAQs.
In addition, you may also want to include a DVD recorder or DVD recorder/VCR combination in lieu of your old VCR. However, you can still use your old VCR (especially if it is a HiFi Stereo unit) with your home theater system.
Also, you need to decide how you will receive your primary television programming: Antenna, Cable, or Satellite.
7. Surge Protector:
Surge protectors are the unsung heroes of a home theater system. Although they are not foolproof, providing your system with some sort of surge protection is a good idea. You never know when you might have a sudden power outage, or even a brown out that may affect your system.
8. Connection Cables and Speaker Wire:
You can't have a home theater system unless everything is connected; whether you buy basic connection cables and speaker wire or the really high-end stuff. The main things to consider is to use the right type, right length, and to connect everything correctly. Some connections are color coded - make sure the colors on the cable ends match the connections on your components - this makes life a lot easier.
In terms of speaker cable, the gauge of the cable can be a factor, depending on the distance the speakers are from the amplifier or AV receiver. I use 16 or 14 gauge speaker wire myself. 18 gauge is very thin and should not be used for longer distances.
One of the most confusing parts of a home theater system is not all components and the connections, but actually managing an controlling it. Each component in a home theater system comes with its own remote, leading to a collection that can number half-a-dozen or more. One solution is to opt for a sophisticated, but easy to use, universal remote that can control most of the functions of each of your components. After the initial hurdle of programming the remote for your system, such a device will enable everyone in the family to use the home theater system without frustration.
10. Furniture:
You have a fancy home theater system, now you need some comfortable furniture that will make you want to spend your time with your home theater. Your furniture can be of the traditional sofa and chair variety, or you can opt for specialized home theater furniture that include features such as built-in cup holders and extra-overstuffed padding.
Final Take
There you have it, the basic elements of a well-balanced home theater system. There is no home theater system that is exactly like another, everyone has different rooms, budgets, brand preferences, and decorative tastes when it comes to home theater. The key thing is to keep the basic elements of a well-balanced home theater in mind, while assembling it according to your own needs and tastes.
Although putting together a basic home theater system is not a complicated as it seems on the surface and be a nice weekend project for most consumers, if installing a high-end custom home theater, make sure you enlist the aide of the professional home theater installer.
For some additional resource articles that go into more specifics on how buy items for your home theater, check out the following:
Home Theater Connection Gallery
Buying a Television - What You Need to Know
Before you buy a Video Projector
Before You Buy a Rear-projection Television
Before You Buy an LCD Television
Before you buy a Plasma Television
For a perspective on setting up the optimal audio system, check out the article posted by Gary Altunian, About.com Guide for Stereos Getting Started With A Stereo System.
