Home Theater Room Set-up Part Two

Too many people purchase from speaker stores without knowing how to properly set them up. As a result, these consumers find themselves using the speakers in terrible locations. In order to know where to place your speakers you need to not only consider the dimensions of your room, but you need to also know what speakers are designed for particular frequencies and types of sounds. This helps you optimize your speaker placement and maximize the capacity of each speaker you own.

1.) Much of the music you hear comes from the front speaker. This also reproduces sound effects, and speech

2.) The center speaker plays the same role as the center speaker, but it is much more important. It drives the speech and music forward to listeners.


3.) The surround speakers are small but incredibly powerful. In the proper location they bring a more rich movie and t.v. viewing experience. Place them as shown. Though it is popular to try to put one at each corner, this does nothing more than using two flanking surround speakers, but it is more expensive.

4.) Rear speakers are perfect for full-bandwidth bass and providing great realistic sound. The proper placement of these speakers is incredibly critical. In the wrong place you will notice that the sound is pretty muddled. However, when properly placed and calibrated, these speakers lend a great difference to your home theater experience.

5.) The sub-woofer is a critical component of your home theater. You want deep, rich bass you need to make sure that your sub-woofers are in the right place. Most people make the mistake of placing their speakers in the rear of the audio room. This will still sound good, but again there will be an abundance of bass that won't be easy to overcome. Place your sub-woofers near the front of the room for optimal effect.

6.) Use these as the main measuring points in your room. Always try to establish equidistant points from the television to ensure that everyone is getting the same listening/viewing experience.

Brilliant Home Theater Room Ideas & Setup!

      A home theater is all about the giant-sized video screen and is usually set up in a “5.1” speaker format. The digit on the left side of the decimal tells us about the number of normal speakers that that particular system has. The numeric value on the right side, tells us about the number of subwoofers connected with it. Most of the people normally set up a home theater system in a room that is dedicated to provide the music listening, television watching, and extreme quality movie viewing experiences for the whole family. A conventional home theater room features a bombastic surround sound system, a 50 inch or bigger high-definition TV screen, and more than one rows of theater style comfortable seating.

In other words, a home theater system can be defined as a dedicated space to watch movies, that is equipped with a big video screen, (front screen projection or PLASMA flat panels or Liquid Crystal Display), in combination with a multichannel, surround sound system, and is the amalgam of two different types of media: audio and video. The theater system seeks to reproduce a movie theater experience and mood, with the help of its different video and audio components.

The Home Theater Speakers

The speakers of a home theater system are normally placed at the height of the listener. Surround sound speaker isn’t like a bookshelf speaker, it must not be kept hidden. In fact, these speakers should be mounted on stands and placed just behind the person that is watching television. Speaker shelves and brackets must be fastened to at least one joist or stud. As far as ceiling and in-wall speakers are concerned, they are secured with an essential mounting bracket after cutting a hole in the ceiling or wall between the framing members. It will be very unattractive to have a clutter of speakers that are hung on the wall with their wires.

Home Theater Floors

The ways to soundproof the floors are numerous. This completely depends on what the finish is of the floor that is going to be installed. It would be way better for you to use a soundproof floor underlay if you are planning to put pad and carpet on the floor of your theater room. It is advised that you put carpet on the floors of these rooms. Their floors must not be bare.

The Front Projector

Front projection systems are for those rooms that are dedicated for the home theater systems. Where you can regulate lighting, and which can be darkened even during daytime. Front projection provides the most unspoiled picture. Projectors are generally placed just below the ceiling across the room from the HDTV screen which makes the quality of picture crystal clear.

A home theater is really fun. It provides you a place to have lots of fun with the people you should spend some time with. Where you can relax and entertain yourself. The seating of that area must be very comfortable. After all, you want a place to unwind, release your anxiety and make yourself comfortable!

Home Theatre Speaker Setup

Came accross this video of someones home video speaker setup, pretty cool.

OLED Display Technology

It's hard to believe that with the recent advent of LCD and Plasma displays that they could potentially become obsolete in the near future. These technologies are barely over a decade old, and are considered to be in their incubation stage so to speak. So what is pushing back this wonderful technology that we originally considered to be the wave of the future? LG's OLED technology is threatening to make the other two obsolete, for a variety of reasons.

Less than a centimeter thick, 50+ inch OLED models can be carried in one hand

First, let's consider one of the main benefits of the existing technology. LCD or liquid crystal display is the king of power saving. Especially when you consider the stingy amount of power the LED's consume you are looking at a great cost savings over the life of your television. Also, due to it's typical matte surface, LCD's are well suited for viewing in a den, or kitchen, or any other area with a lot of light, because there will be very little, if any glare at all. This is completely different from your typical plasma T.V. Also, although both, Plasma T.V.'s and L.C.D.'s are rated to last approximately 60,000 hours. Plasma T.V.'s can typically be hampered by plasma "burn-in". "Burn-in" occurs when when still images appear on the screen too long and remain there when the channel is changed. This is problematic, because without intervention, burn-in can last quite a while.

Next, consider some of the things that make the plasma TV one of the more exciting display options. First, plasma has the ability to render colors in one of the richest pallets known to humans. For instance, it is known to display some of the richest blacks which highlights scenes done in darkness, or the shadows. These T.V.'s are more suited for home theaters because of their reflective surface. However, even plasma T.V.'s are not the epitome of display development.


Enter the OLED, or organic light-emitting diode display. This new technology being unveiled in the U.S. this year (made debut at the Cannes Film Festival), is the crowning glory of all display technologies for a plethora of reasons. For the carbon footprint conscious, the OLED is the obvious choice at it uses less power than the plasma, LCD, or even LED versions. The technology itself is otherworldly. Layers thinner than paper are covered with organic molecules that give off light in a very predictable, consistent way when charged with electricity. As a result of that LG found a way to harness that technology to render beautiful displays. Imagine a T.V. that is so thin and flexible that it can literally be rolled up when you are finished watching it. Currently the price for a large sized model (55 inches and over) is $9,000 U.S. but as technology becomes mainstream this number is expected to decrease significantly.

A brand new innovation in displays

The most impressive thing about OLED technology is that LG wants to translate this into computer monitors that resemble place mats and mobile phones that make i-phones look like the first cellphones (brick models) ever made. The applications promise to be endless and we are possibly looking at the demise of two of the most newly introduced but highly regarded technologies conceived in recent years. If your budget allows it, the OLED's are a surefire way to dazzle your audiences and families, as well. They would undoubtedly make an outstanding addition to your home theater.

Batcave Home Theaters System: Custom, Dream Home Theaters

There are plenty of home theater applications that run from a low to medium budget project. However, once in a while there are home theater set-ups and the owner pulls out all of the stops to define a one-of-a-kind audio experience of a life time. According to Yahoo.com, one such individual from Connecticut that had the vision (and the money) to create an absolutely breathtaking, amazing Batcave Home Theater adventure, that is reminiscent of those of the movie stars. Many stars are boasting $2 million dollar set-ups, but the unnamed Connecticut resident is as faceless as they come.

Amazing Detail (posted by elitehts.com)

This dark knight theater is a masterpiece in that it evokes images from the original batcave, complete with bookshelves, batman armor built to scale, stalactites, and old train station lighting. The gargoyles and the batman logos lend decor and flavor to the existing decor. There are plenty of touches that make this dream theater unique but the sound and crystal clear projection are absolutely top quality components.

I, for one think this home theater is what dreams are truly made of, and would love to draw inspiration from it. I think that some elements (the cheaper elements) would be excellent to implement into my own home theater system. At least the theater seating and the ceiling and floor lighting would be amazing to incorporate. Look for your source of inspiration, even if you are on a budget to differentiate your home theater from everyone else. It would be worth it to sacrifice a couple of bookshelf speakers in order to lend a little bit of character to your home theater with the addition of a couple of style cues. Good luck in your future home theater endeavors.

Low Cost Surround Sound System

Visual and audio systems seem to be a part of our recreational activities, ever since the birth of technology. Today we have surround sound systems that brings us movie theater effects even though we’re just at home. Big companies like Sony, Samsung, Sharp, and LG are leading brands for surround sound systems. The usual price is approximately $230- $300, which is a bit expensive if you actually consider the cost of the rest of your components. Remember that we aren't discussing an entire home theater setup, but rather just the surround sound aspect of it. If your budget is tight and you'd consider owning a cheaper one, even though it’s not brand name, such as Sony or Samsung, then you would be delighted to know that there are affordable surround sound system that cost half the price, and are readily available in today’s market.

Quick Reference for Surround Sound Set-Up

A consumer recently demonstrated how he was able to assemble a $131 surround sound system instead of paying double the price.  First, he selected an RCA surround sound system, with the Oppo BDP-103, and AT & T U-verse service for $101.00 dollars (usual price is $ 150.00- $200.00). An RCA allows you to view movies and videos via an optical input wire, connected to your cable box, television set, and DVD player that gives you a higher and more-detailed definition of visual images. While AT&T U-verse is a fiber optic technology that allows networking from your computer, thus bringing video clips straight to your television. To complete the package, he bought cable wires and small speakers, which cost $30.00. Therefore, he spent $131.00 in total for the surround sound system, which is much less compared to the typical branded ones.

Possible Surround Sound Speaker Configuration

It may be true that having the expensive home theater system can provide a higher, and more clear definition of visual images and audio. However, a simple and less luxurious surround sound system may not be that bad, after all. This is especially true if you can’t afford to buy those "time-tested" brands. The main issue here is not really the cost or the capability of the home theater system, but rather how you enjoy the facilities that it brings whenever you want to bond with your family and enjoy the company of friends. Therefore, remember to enjoy whatever surround sound system you can buy right now, whether it is of the cheaper variety, or the latest and most expensive one, because after all, it was created for entertainment purposes.

Home Theater System Optimizing Step 2

Home Theater Optimization: Step 2

Initial Points to Consider

Hello readers! In my previous post, I stressed the importance of sticking with just one manufacturer, when creating your ideal home theater system. Now that you have decided on your manufacturer, the real fun begins. There are a variety of component choices that can help you reach your home audio goals with ease. Many consumers falter here though, because they fail to define tangible goals early in the process. These goals range from system optimization for sheer power, surround capability, accurate sound reproduction, or more. However, it is virtually impossible to assemble a home theater that can do all of these things well.

Meeting your surround sound goals

Let’s assume that you define your goal and are ready to move forward.  Your next step is to allocate a budget for your home theater system. If you have done that already, you’re ahead of the game! Make your money work for you by analyzing the different options available for each specific component, and how they fit your home theater goals. For instance, if you are striving for theater-quality surround sound, you know you are going to need a number of speakers to achieve that effect. This, in turn, means that you will require a top-quality receiver, with numerous outputs to accommodate these speakers. Moreover, a great receiver decodes digital surround sound signals, essentially “unlocking” Dolby capabilities, even for Blu-Ray applications.

Wireless Surround Sound System

Choosing a receiver, however, only addresses half of your needs. Focus on speakers that will maximize your existing acoustics. If you are planning to install your home theater system in a rather small space, you don’t need to splurge on more than a few reference speakers, in addition to subwoofers. If you have a rather large space, however, you will have to look into multiple groups of speakers including reference speakers, sub-woofers, and towers speakers.

Meeting your bass maximization goals

Audiophiles know that all bass is not created equal. For instance, listen to a sub-woofer distort at maximum volume to demonstrate what bass should never sound like. Great bass reproduction lies in the union of art and science. If bass is your ultimate home theater goal, I commend you, because it is a lofty one. It’s imperative to seek out the flagship model amplifier in your chosen manufacturer’s line. These models often come equipped with automatic shut-off switches in the event of overheating, or excess distortion. In addition, these models are equipped with highly sophisticated controls to be calibrated to the exact wattage specifications of your sub-woofers.

Once you’ve selected a premium amp, it’s time to consider speakers (which are drastically different from the surround-sound speakers mentioned above). You probably already know subwoofers dominate the lower registers, so let’s cut to the chase. A common misconception is that subwoofers can handle the max wattage listed by the manufacturer. This is not true, at all. Instead, look at the RMS wattage, as this is the actual sustainable max wattage. A good rule of thumb is to opt for subwoofers that have an RMS rating twice that of the amplifier’s output per channel. This ensures that your sub-woofers will never blow out from over-amplification.   

Finally, always use your best judgment, if it is a common sense issue that you can deal with directly. However, know your limits. Professionals are available to help you, and usually a consultation or several quick questions won’t cost you much at all. So don’t hesitate to contact someone who knows a thing or two. Or leave a comment, as a certified audiophile I will do my best to answer any questions I can! Seeking professional help can probably save you hours of headache in the long run! Until next time…good luck!