If you want to enjoy immersive sound at home, you might be interested in buying a surround sound system or a home theater. These systems can enhance your movie-watching and music-listening experience by creating a realistic and spacious sound field. But before you buy one, there are some factors you need to consider so that the product suits and fulfils your requirements excellently. In this article, I will guide you through the six factors to consider before buying surround sound system/ home theater and help you to choose the one that suits your needs. So let’s begin with the list of factors.
Room size
It is the most essential factor to consider before buying a home theater system because it affects the sound quality, the screen size, and the seating arrangement, which are already built, and you cannot alter them. The only option is to buy a surround sound system that fits into your living settings and decor. According to research, the best room size for a home theater is at least 20’ x 20’, whereas the minimum required room size is approximately 15’ x 15’. However, if you want the best experience, you should opt for a larger room.
The room size also determines the optimal distance between the screen and the seats. A general rule of thumb is to multiply the horizontal width of your screen (not the diagonal width) by 2 to get the minimum distance and by 5 to get the maximum length. For example, if your screen is 50 inches across, your sofa seats need to be at least 100 inches away from the screen.
Another factor to consider is the shape of the room. Ideally, you want a rectangular room with no windows or doors on the side walls. This will help reduce unwanted reflections and echoes that can degrade the sound quality. You also want to avoid rooms with high ceilings or irregular shapes that can create acoustic problems.
Speaker placement
Before buying a surround sound system/ home theater, you should consider where speakers of your newly purchased home theater system will be placed in your current existing room/ decor. It would help if you also consider whether you will install a 5.1ch surround sound system in your room, a 7.1ch based home theater system or a Dolby atmos supported system. A thumb rule is that if your room is of size 20 x 20 or more, speaker placement of 7.1ch or Dolby atmos surround sound system will be easy to manage, and if your room is around 15×15, then it would be convenient for you to place speakers of 5.1ch based surround sound system easily.
Speaker Placement Considerations for 5.1ch based Surround Sound System
For a basic ch 5.1 system, which consists of two front speakers, one center speaker, two surround speakers, and a subwoofer, you need to place the speakers as follows:
- The front, left, and right speakers should be at an equal distance from the center of your screen and form an arc with your center speaker and primary listening position. They should be at ear level or slightly higher when seated.
- The centre speaker should be placed directly above or below your screen and aligned with the centre of the screen. It should be tilted slightly up or down to face your ears.
- The surround speakers should be placed on the side walls or slightly behind your primary listening position, at a 90-110 degree angle from the centre of your screen. They should be 2-3 feet above ear level when seated.
- The subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room, but it is recommended to place it near a corner or a wall for better bass response. You can experiment with different locations until you find the one that sounds best.
Speaker Placement Considerations for 7.1ch based Surround Sound System
- The front, left, and right speakers should be placed as in the 5.1ch system.
- The center speaker should be placed in the 5.1ch system.
- The surround speakers should be placed on the side walls, slightly in front of your primary listening position, at a 45-60 degree angle from the center of your screen. They should be 2-3 feet above ear level when seated.
- The rear speakers should be placed on the back wall or slightly behind your primary listening position, at a 135-150 degree angle from the centre of your screen. They should be 2-3 feet above ear level when seated.
- The subwoofer can be placed as in the 5.1 system.
Speaker Placement Considerations for Dolby Atmos based Surround Sound System
- The front, left, and right speakers should be placed in the 5.1 or 7.1 system.
- The centre speaker should be placed as in the 5.1 or 7.1 system.
- The surround and rear speakers should be placed as in the 5.1 or 7.1 system.
- The height speakers can be either ceiling-mounted or upward-firing. If ceiling-mounted, they should be placed above your front left and right speakers and above your surround or rear speakers, aligned with them horizontally. If upward-firing, they should be placed on top of your front left and right speakers and on top of your surround or rear speakers, angled up towards the ceiling.
- The subwoofer can be placed as in the 5.1 or 7.1 system.
Speaker Type
Speaker type is an important factor to consider when buying a home theater system, as it affects the sound quality, the number of channels, the placement and the cost of the system. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- The type of speakers can be either floor standing, stand mount, in-ceiling, in-wall, or wireless. Floor standing speakers are large and powerful, but they take up floor space and may not match your decor. Stand mount speakers are smaller and more flexible, but they need stands or shelves to be placed at the right height. In-ceiling and in-wall speakers are discreet and save space, but they need professional installation and may not deliver optimal sound quality. Wireless speakers are convenient and easy to set up, but they need batteries or power outlets and may have connectivity issues.
- The type of subwoofer can be either passive or active. A passive subwoofer relies on the power and signal from the amplifier, while an active subwoofer has its own built-in amplifier. An active subwoofer usually delivers more bass and volume, but it also needs a power outlet and may cost more.
- The type of soundbar can be either standard or Dolby Atmos. A standard soundbar is a single unit that simulates surround sound by using multiple drivers and digital processing. A Dolby Atmos soundbar has additional drivers that fire upwards or sideways to create a more realistic 3D sound field. A Dolby Atmos soundbar can also be paired with wireless rear speakers and a subwoofer for a more complete system.
Amplifier Power
Amplifier power affects buying of a surround sound system in terms of:
The loudness and clarity of the sound
- The power output of the amplifier, measured in watts, indicates how loud it can drive the speakers without distortion. A higher power output usually means a louder and clearer sound, but it also depends on the sensitivity and impedance of the speakers. You should match the power output of the amplifier to the power handling of the speakers for optimal performance.
The number and type of Speakers
- The number of channels of the amplifier indicates how many speakers it can power independently. A 9-channel amplifier can power up to nine speakers and a subwoofer, while a 5-channel amplifier can power up to five speakers and a subwoofer.
The features and connectivity of the Amplifier
- The features of the amplifier affect how you can control and stream content to the system. Some amplifiers have built-in support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Heos multi room, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Bluetooth, USB, and AirPlay. These features allow you to enjoy immersive surround sound formats, access online music services, control the system with your voice, and stream audio from various devices. The connectivity of the amplifier affects how you can connect your sources and devices to the system. Some amplifiers have multiple HDMI inputs and outputs, phono stage input, optical input, coaxial input, and RCA input. These inputs and outputs allow you to connect your TV, Blu-ray player, game console, turntable, CD player, and other devices to the system.
Compatibility
Compatibility of various components of TV and surround sound system affects buying of a surround sound system in terms of:
The audio output and input options of the TV and the sound system
- You need to make sure that the TV has an audio output option that matches the audio input option of the sound system. For example, if the TV has an RCA or 3.5mm analog output, you need a sound system that has an RCA or 3.5mm analog input. If the TV has a digital optical or HDMI-ARC output, you need a sound system that has a digital optical or HDMI-ARC input. If the TV has a Bluetooth output, you need a sound system that has a Bluetooth input.
The surround sound format support of the TV and the sound system
- You need to make sure that the TV and the sound system can support the same surround sound formats, such as Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. These formats provide more immersive and realistic sound effects by using additional speakers or drivers that fire upwards or sideways to create a 3D sound field. If the TV and the sound system do not support the same surround sound formats, you may not be able to enjoy the full potential of your audio content.
Budget
Last but most affectable factor before buying a surround sound system is budget and it affects the buying of a surround sound system most in terms of:
The quality and quantity of the sound system components
- A higher budget usually means a higher quality and quantity of the sound system components, such as the amplifier, speakers, subwoofer, soundbar, cables, and accessories. A higher quality and quantity of the sound system components usually means a better sound performance, more features, more connectivity options, and more flexibility in placement and configuration.
The type and size of the sound system
- A higher budget usually means a larger and more complex sound system, such as a speaker package or a wireless-powered speaker system. A larger and more complex sound system usually means a more realistic and immersive surround sound experience, but it also requires more space and wiring. A lower budget usually means a smaller and simpler sound system, such as a soundbar or a soundbar package. A smaller and simpler sound system usually means a more convenient and elegant solution, but it may not deliver the same level of sound quality and customization as a larger and more complex sound system.
The trade-offs and compromises of the sound system
- A lower budget usually means that you have to make some trade-offs and compromises when buying a surround sound system, such as settling for fewer channels, lower power output, fewer features, fewer connectivity options, lower quality components, or less reputable brands. These trade-offs and compromises may affect the sound performance, functionality, compatibility, durability, or reliability of the sound system. A higher budget usually means that you have more choices and flexibility when buying a surround sound system, and you can get the best value for your money.
Hope you got very much wise on the subject after reading this detailed article and it certainly will help you in buying a surround sound system/ home theater system. All surround sound system reviews and comparisons placed on this platform are carried out after catering to all above mentioned factors, which means that you can certainly rely on tests and experiments carried out before choosing any system which suits you the best.