23+ Best home theater system low price ideas in 2021 (2023)

FAQs

What is the most important speaker in home theater setup? ›

A center channel speaker is the most important speaker in a surround sound setup because it does most of the work. Most of the action, and conversation, in a movie, happens front and center on your screen, meaning that the center channel is the one reproducing it.

Expect to pay somewhere in the $500-$3,000 range for a professional design and for ultra high-end theaters, design can be upwards of $15,000 or more. It's money well-spent to ensure that you're getting the right layout and equipment for the room.

IMAX with laser vs Dolby Cinema is just a difference between the screen size and audio plus visual quality. IMAX with laser has a much bigger screen compared to Dolby Cinema, but Dolby comes out on top with crisper images, higher resolution and more impressive audio.

The alternative to surround sound is stereo sound. Stereo systems require a front left and front right speaker.

How Many Watts Home Theater Do I Need? The more wattage power you have under the hood, the better your theater will sound. And, odd but true, a high-power theater actually seems louder at lower volumes. 125 watts per channel is the ideal amount of power to have without fear of ever running out.

Move your speakers at least 2-3 feet away from the nearest wall. This will minimize sound reflections, which can negatively impact playback clarity. Adjust speaker angle (toe-in). Angle your speakers inward so they're pointed towards the listener - more specifically, at a point directly behind the listener's head.

If you listen to music more than any other audio, you don't need five or more speakers. You really only need two. Music is made for stereo sound, and that's how most of it is still mixed. So instead of spreading your money out over five decent speakers, pick up two really good speakers.

That being said, the experts at the Home Theater Academy recommend a room size of 24 ft X 15ft with a standard ceiling height of 9ft for a fully immersive experience. A larger room allows you to perfect your seating arrangement and acoustics for the optimal experience.

If you plan to invest in a home audio system, expect to spend about $4,000 to $6,000. These costs vary depending on the components you choose to install. For instance, if you only install the speakers and wiring systems, you may end up spending as little as $2,000 to $3,000.

Choose a room that's at least 15 feet wide and 20 feet long and you should have a good basis to start building your home theater. You may be a bit cramped if you opt to go smaller than this minimum home theater room size.

How to build a home theater room on a budget? ›

For true home theater sound, you need a minimum of 3 speakers (left, right, and center). For true surround sound, a minimum of five (left, right, center, and two rear.)

A basic setup may include a TV, AV receiver, Blu-ray or DVD player, and a media streamer. You will also need at least five speakers and a subwoofer for 5.1 surround sound. Below is a general outline of how to connect these different components.

A leap forward from surround sound, Dolby Atmos allows you to experience multi-dimensional sound with incredible clarity that brings you deeper into the story. With Dolby Atmos, sound can be precisely placed anywhere in the cinema, even overhead, creating an immersive soundscape that sounds more like real life.

The diegetic sound is the most important element of film that connects us to the story and characters. It's what makes movies, TV shows, video games, etc., so immersive. The sound can be anything from a character's voice or music playing in the background to an on-screen explosion.

Expert-Verified Answer. The sound is deeper and more precise with Dolby Atmos than with conventional Surround 7.1 systems due to the addition of overhead sound and superior calibration software.

The most important speakers are probably the center, front left and front right. These are the ones that do most of the work when reproducing a movie soundtrack. However, getting the best possible positions for all your surround sound speakers is vital to get the best out of your system.

For a full audio experience, you'll want to go with a surround-sound system. But if you just want to experience some nicer audio than your TV's built-in speakers can provide, pick up a soundbar and take your TV watching to the next level. You'll be able to tell the difference right away.

Dolby Atmos takes Dolby's traditional 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound setups a step further by adding a third, overhead dimension. You're no longer constrained to a stereo system or standard six- or seven-channel arrangement.

The watt rating is a rough guide to how loud a subwoofer might be able to play, but it doesn't have to be louder. You always control the volume. In fact, a 1,000-watt sub may sound better at "regular" room volumes than a 100-watt sub. Though quite common, 100-watts really isn't that much when we're talking subs.

How many watts do I need for a good sound system? ›

Much depends on your listening habits and your speaker's efficiency. If you like loud uncompressed music and your speakers are 90dB efficient, 200 Watts is likely plenty of power for you. If you only listen to light classical, jazz and don't expect them to rock the house, 50 Watts is adequate.

Amplifiers capable of putting out 10-20 watts of power will be capable of making your system fully functional at a normal listening volume. More specifically, if you have an average-sized room (about 12 feet) and listen at an average volume, you will likely only need 50 watts of power for your speakers.

The 38% rule says that in a rectangular room, on paper, the best listening position is 38% of the way into the room from the shortest wall. Avoid placing your listening position directly in the middle of the room.

What Makes High-End Speakers More Expensive. The cost of a speaker comes from more than the electronic components themselves. High-End speakers can be more expensive due to the design of the speakers, the quality of materials, the durability and weight, and even the branding.

Placing a subwoofer in the corner of a room can increase its output, making it sound louder. The great thing about a subwoofer (especially a wireless subwoofer) is it can be situated almost anywhere on your floor space. There is no formula for locating the best spot. And, it's truly your personal preference.

It is true that in general, bigger speakers are capable of producing a greater range of frequencies with ease compared to smaller speakers.

Sounds at or below 70 dBA are generally considered safe. Any sound at or above 85 dBA is more likely to damage your hearing over time. Researchers have found that people who are exposed over long periods of time to noise levels at 85 dBA or higher are at a much greater risk for hearing loss.

Here are some rules of thumb to tell if the sounds around you are too loud: You find yourself speaking loudly or shouting so people an arm's length away can hear you. (Or you have trouble hearing someone talking in a conversational volume when you're an arm's length away.) The noise hurts your ears.

A 7.1 system is a great choice for larger rooms where sound may get lost in the space. It provides a deeper surround sound listening experience. Theater quality media designed for a 7.1 system will come through clearer than it would on a 5.1 system.

a 5.1 system has 5 speakers including a front left and right and a front center speaker. It also includes rear left and right speakers plus a subwoofer for a surround sound experience. A 2.1 system is just the Left and Right channel in the front and a subwoofer.

What is the difference between a home theater system and surround sound? ›

The short answer is that a home theater system refers to the complete package: TV, DVD/Blu-Ray player, and — yes — surround sound speakers. In other words, all home theater systems have surround sound, but the best surround sound systems aren't always found in home theaters.

Which is better: DTS or Dolby Digital? Based on the specs alone, DTS beats its rival with higher bit-rates that promise a more realistic movie experience. That said, other factors such as signal-to-noise ratio and speaker calibration mean that plenty of audiophiles would rate Dolby above DTS.

We recommend installing four Dolby Atmos enabled speakers whenever possible. The use of four speakers will make the placement of overhead sounds more accurate, and you'll get more precise, realistic sounds when an object, such as a helicopter, passes overhead.

With surround sound, it's only possible to have sounds coming from four or so directions. In comparison, 3D sound enables the listener to perceive sound from every direction - including above and below them. Further, the best 3D sound technology enables listeners to pinpoint the directional sound.

The higher the bit rate, the better. You'd think that Dolby Atmos, being the more widely known brand name, would be the one with the higher bit rate. However, it's DTS:X has the higher bit rate. Dolby Atmos delivers a slower bit rate.

Dolby Digital is the name for what has become a family of audio compression technologies. Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, has a superior listening experience in the way it creates a superior illusion.

The Bottom Line. 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 channel speaker setups are options for home entertainment audio listening. 2.1 is the best option for music-only listening and/or if you want a basic setup for upgrading your TV sound without a lot of speakers. 5.1 is the most common option for getting a home theater audio experience.

5.1 surround sound. In a 5.1 system your surround speakers are best placed to the left and right of your listening position. Space them apart the same distance as your front speakers (or a little wider), and face them toward you.

With a 5.1 setup, you should place the surround speakers behind the listener at a 110-120-degree angle. This is the first “true” surround sound setup because it actually envelops the listener in sound from all directions.

The choice between a soundbar and surround sound system may come down to your living arrangements. If you have a small apartment, the compact design of soundbars make them the go-to choice. However, if you have the space, surround sound setups will almost always provide a better listening experience.

Is A sound Bar better than a speaker? ›

Speaker sets offer better audio quality than soundbars. This is partly because of their size. But it's also because by placing speakers throughout a room, you can achieve genuine surround sound. Speaker sets are ideal for providing an immersive experience while watching movies or playing games.

If you're a home theater fan, then a surround-sound system is probably what you're after. Having a 2.1, 5.1 or Atmos 5.1. 4-channel setup delivers an audio experience that can't be beat by a soundbar at any price. The sound is bigger and more enthralling, an advantage that's particularly important in large rooms.