How to Choose the Best Home Theater Systems

If you want to maximize the experience of watching movies, TV shows and gaming sessions, a home theater system is a must-have. These audio and video devices recreate the cinema experience right in your living room – making watching them more immersive than ever before.

Installing wireless systems is generally simpler than wired options and often includes all necessary components in one package. Plus, many of these systems boast great sound quality that’s THX certified.

Table of Contents

HDMI connectivity

HDMI is a fast connection standard that can transmit video and audio signals between your television or other display device, compatible home entertainment components, and compatible home theater setups. Furthermore, it supports multichannel surround sound – making it an ideal option for home theater setups.

HDMI 2.1 — this 2017 update introduces a dramatic boost in bandwidth capacity, enabling higher video resolutions and refresh rates. It also supports 4K resolution and HDR color gamut.

HDMI ARC (audio return channel) and eARC (electronic audio return channel) capabilities can help you reduce the number of cables needed to run from your TV to a soundbar or receiver. Plus, when combined with HDMI-CEC, you’re able to control audio volume levels and other features on connected devices from your television remote.

Compatible with your TV or projector

Smart TVs and projectors are electronic devices that display images or videos. They may also be connected to other electronic devices like laptops and tablets for convenient access.

One important distinction between projectors and televisions is their brightness ratings. Therefore, you should select the projector that best fits your room based on how much light it requires to see clearly. If you want brighter images in dark rooms, opt for a higher-brightness model; conversely, if lightening up lighter spaces requires lower brightness settings.

Projectors and TVs differ in that they lack inbuilt TV tuners, meaning you must use a separate media streaming device or cable box to watch broadcast programs. While this may not be an issue if you’re just watching movies and shows, it could prove an inconvenience if you plan to use the projector as your main television for live television viewing.

Speakers

When purchasing a home theater system, it’s essential to know the types of speakers available. The ideal sound reproduction systems boast speakers with wide frequency response – meaning they can reproduce sounds across an extensive spectrum of frequencies.

It’s essential to select a sound system that supports surround sound technologies like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as these enable sounds to be placed precisely where desired in your room.

When selecting a speaker system for your home theater, there are various options to choose from, such as 2.1, 5.1 and 7.1 options. When making your selection, take into account how big your room is.

Subwoofers

Subwoofers are essential components of any home theater setup, as they reproduce low-frequency sounds that traditional speakers cannot reproduce on their own. This includes kick drums, bass guitars, and movie sound effects like explosions.

The ideal home theater subwoofers should be able to blend in seamlessly with your speakers and produce powerful, impactful bass audio. Avoid listening to bass that sounds overpowering or muffles midrange frequencies; look for a subwoofer with multiple bass settings so you can customize it according to your preferences.

You can use the rear-panel controls to modify your subwoofer’s settings, but SVS also offers a free app that allows for on-the-spot adjustments to these same parameters. This makes it simple to fine-tune your bass without ever having to get up from the couch.

The price

Nothing brings family and friends together like watching a movie or sports event from the comfort of your own home. A great home theater system can make all the difference, but there are some things to consider when shopping for one – including price point.

You have two choices for home theater systems: buy a “home theater in a box,” which comes with all necessary components, or you can build your own. Whichever option you opt for, make sure it meets both your needs and budget. If money is tight, an AV receiver might suffice which allows you to quickly connect speakers, gaming console, Blu-ray player and TV without breaking the bank.