Are you looking for an entertainment package for your home but you don’t know exactly what to look for? Well, there are actually a lot of considerations to make in terms of quality, type, and respective specifications. These can be quite confusing, and without proper guidelines, you might end up choosing the wrong package – regrets and disappointments may be inevitable.
Choosing the right entertainment package, however, is a guarantee of a gorgeous, amazing home entertainment experience, all day and all night. The good news is, you have come to the right place. This guide contains everything you need to know about choosing the right home entertainment package that meets your needs and preferences. Please read on.
1 – TV or Projector and Screen
Beautiful pictures are no doubt vital to excellent home entertainment, which makes TVs or projectors with a screen essential. But again, these three come in different sizes, quality, prices, and features. Which criteria should you use to identify the kind that’s right for you? Well, your needs and preferences will play a more significant part here.
Going with a bigger TV can be the best idea, especially if you’ll be using the machine with family or friends. Plus, the bigger the better if comfort is what you’re after. Perhaps you wouldn’t want to be straining on a small screen trying to watch your favorite shows and music or play your favorite game. You may consider having an OLED (quite expensive) or a 4K HDR TV.
If you intend to set aside a particular room specifically for home entertainment, going really big can be a good way to enhance the whole theater-like experience. You may consider using a projector and a relatively large screen, probably one that measures at least 8 feet across. You can consider having one of the latest projectors as these contain most of the latest and amazing features. You’ll install the projector at the rear of the room and in the ceiling. You may have the screen remaining stationary in a place where you won’t have to move it every other time.
2 – Video Sources
The home entertainment package won’t be complete without sources with which you can access your favorite shows, movies, and music. And since you can access some of these, especially music on your mobile or tablet devices, the home entertainment video sources should be able to provide a fantastic viewing experience better than what you can find on other devices. You can consider sources like 4K media players and Blu-ray players, which not only provide the best viewing experience but can also give excellent home theater sound.
There are other video sources such as Roku and Apple TV that can provide you with the best quality services. However, you’ll need an Internet connection to stream content from some of the popular providers like Netflix and HBO GO. Plus, you won’t have to worry about updating these devices every now and then, they are designed to automatically update themselves to include the latest shows, games, and useful apps. This requires you to have stable and convenient Internet access. You can get a premium internet service to use for these and your other home or business online needs.
3 – The Audio System
You’ll need devices that give extremely rich home theater sound for an amazing experience. The first and most essential step to consider is the speakers for your home entertainment. You need to be very keen when choosing your speakers since what you choose will determine the receiver's choice to go for. The number of speakers you’ll have in your home will also determine the number of channels on your receiver. Another key factor to consider is the technology used in your home entertainment audio.
How many speakers should you have?
When it comes to the number of speakers you’ll need, there are some factors that you should consider. For a true home theater sound, you may need to have quite a number of speaker combinations – the more the better. A traditional home theater, for instance, comes with 5 speakers which you can distribute across the room to ensure you get the best home theater sound possible.
Does the size of the speakers matter?
This depends on your home décor and personal preferences; most homeowners have preferred big speakers over the past few decades. But the most important aspect to consider should be the audio quality, whether it’s in-wall speakers or big floor-standing speakers. The speakers should also match tonally and (though not a must) be from the same manufacturer for better audio quality.
What about the channels?
Perhaps you’ve seen values like 5.1, 7.1, and 11.2 on most audio systems, right? Well, if you’re wondering what these values mean, take 5.1 for instance, the first number (5) indicates the number of speakers the system has and the second number (1) indicates the number of subwoofer(s) in the system. There are also other systems with three numbers i.e. 5.1.2; here, the third number (2) refers to the number of Dolby Atmos speakers in the set-up. More channels mean there are more speakers added to the system; hence a better audio experience. You can have about 5 channels or more if you have larger rooms in your home, which can guarantee a thrilling, gorgeous theater sound – just like in most state-of-the-art cinemas around. What more would you want?
The subwoofer
This is what actually brings the action in the system. It’s what gives you goosebumps and makes your chest shake or the tables vibrate. But that’s not the only function; the subwoofer is also responsible for clarifying and amplifying low-end frequencies. You may decide to have more than one subwoofer, especially for larger rooms with areas that cause the bass to drop off rapidly.
4 – Home Theater Receivers
Home entertainment systems have Audio/Visual (AV) receivers that power the whole system and act as the system’s brains. They receive, interpret, and process the TV’s audio signal coming into the house via the dish box or cable before sending it to the preferred destination – the speakers and TV. The receiver can switch among several sound modes such as Stereo, Life Café, and even Dolby Cinema Surround Sound among other modes. To effectively operate your home theater, you’ll need a home theater AV receiver with a subwoofer and a minimum of five channels. This will be efficient for a theater-like experience at your home.
Another option you may consider, though a bit expensive, is going with separate processing components; an amp and a preamp. This means you won’t rely on the AV receiver to distribute the signal and do amplification as well. The preamp will do the distribution while the amp does the amplification. These can make the sound really good.
5 – Home Theater Furniture
A good home theater system requires good and convenient furniture from TV stands, wall boards, racks, power lifts, and home office desks among others. Depending on your lifestyle, you’ll find the right fit for your system. You may also opt for customized options which can be designed to fit your needs. Then all you’ll need to do is relax and enjoy your favorite show, music, or games.
6 – What Type of Home Theater Should You Go for?
There’s always a home entertainment system that’ll work for you regardless of your budget, décor, or the size of your room.
1. Wireless System
If you have a small room, going for a wired system may cause you some inconvenience, especially if you have kids or pets. Fortunately, you can go wireless and still enjoy the best experience possible. The installation is much easier, and you won’t have to drill holes in floors and walls to run wires through. Moving the system or components from one point to another is also very convenient with wireless systems. Another major advantage of this kind is the ease of controlling the system from almost anywhere in your home with your smartphone or tablet.
2. Sound Bars
You can also opt for a subwoofer and a low-profile sound bar combo for say, a 3.1 setup. Sound bars have built-in left, right, and center speakers so you’ll only need a subwoofer and maybe two or more rear speakers for the combination. Big speakers can be perfect for a large room; you can have even more installed.
3. Pre-Packed Systems
There are pre-packaged home theater systems available in the market – also referred to as home-theater-in-a-box. It comes with almost everything you’ll need for a complete home entertainment package including color-coded cables and mounting hardware. You’ll only need to get the TV, and you’re ready to rock. These systems tend to be relatively cheaper and more convenient, especially if space is your concern.
4. Systems with Separates
You may also decide to get everything separately – subwoofers, speakers, mounting hardware, etc. This can be a good opportunity to go with your taste and preferences. This kind can go hand in hand with custom-designed home theaters where you can have the system designed and installed just the way you want. You can have cozy home theater furniture arranged in a cinema style, and speakers hidden behind soundproof walls. Basically, your pocket and preferences will speak here.
Conclusion
By knowing the different essential parts that make up a home entertainment package, you are in a position to make informed decisions on the right type that suits your home needs. Ensure to pay attention to key details (such as the quality) of the different parts as they can make a difference. Don’t be in a rush but take your time. You may also ask a friend to help you. Remember, there’s a perfect system for you regardless of your taste, budget, or home space; just make sure to get the right one. Good luck and enjoy the best home entertainment experience possible!
1 Comment
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