Some Basics
Surround sound gets its name from the fact that you are literally surrounded with the sound. This is a vast improvement over the typical two speaker systems in the days of old. Surround sound works to imitate the ambient noises that we often hear during the course of the day. This is often done for the purpose of art imitating life. By hearing the roll of thunder from every side rather than merely the left or the right we are experiencing the real beauty of surround sound and enjoying the more realistic effects it lends itself to.
When you are looking into surround sound systems for your home or home theater you will come across some terminology that may seem foreign and unfamiliar. Surround Sound 5.1 indicates a system that uses five speakers and one subwoofer in order to deliver the sounds. This sound is often referred to as Dolby Digital. A new term that has been cropping up more and more often in movie circles is THX. This is known as surround sound 6.1, which involves the use of 6 speakers and a subwoofer. The center speaker in this system should be located in the center behind the listener in order to add yet another layer to the sound. Surround sound 7.1 adds yet another speaker to the mix in order to create an even more authentic sound. The more speakers in your surround sound system, the more realistic the sound will be and the better able you will be as an audience member to find your place within the action.
While the main purpose of surround sound is to simply enhance the entertainment experience I can think of very few better things to invest in when it comes to either a home theater or the ultimate gaming computer. Do your homework on the systems that are available and remember that good quality speakers are essential in carrying out the sound properly and you should plan to make a sizable investment in both the speakers and the receiver or other sound components. Whatever you are using it for be sure that you play around with the sounds to find the best level for your personal enjoyment of your surround sound system.
In order to get surround sound you need more than a set of speakers. You will first need a receiver in order to 'receive' and process the information and send the digital signals and sounds in the direction they should go. If you are building a home theater you will want to make a good receiver a key investment in your overall system. This is an important component as sound is vital to a true 'movie going' experience, which is what a good home theater is meant to imitate.
Upgradeable Surround Sound
There are legion of great and not so great surround sound and home theater systems on the market today. With so many from which to choose, how do you know what to look for in order to get your money's worth? The answer to that, is easier than you think. The thing to remember when it comes to technology is that it is constantly evolving. This means that it is in your best interest to find a surround sound or home theater system that is upgradeable.
In fact, this would be my number one requirement when purchasing a home theater or surround sound system in today's market. If you purchase an AV receiver that has room to expand as technology for sound advances then you have the foundation for building an even better system over time. If you can find a good deal on an AV receiver that is also THX certified then you are setting the stage for an outstanding system once you have everything in place. Add to this, one of the best value on the market, the Polk Audio PSW505 Powered Subwoofer. I bet you will never have to upgrade this one.
While speakers are extremely important you can buy the 5 speakers plus subwoofer that you will need for a 5.1 channel surround sound system at a reasonable price and make plans to purchase better speakers in time. You want to make certain that the speakers you buy are some that you can definitely live with as you save for even better speakers in the future but buying a set for now that has a decent quality of sound rather than stretching your budget for those that are better means that you can save your money and in time buy an even better set of speakers for your surround sound system or home theater.
The really good news is the speakers you like today that are just out of your price range will be priced lower this time next year. Of course, there will be even better speakers on the market by that time. If you save your money over the course of the next year in a year you can upgrade to a far superior system even while you've been enjoying the system you currently own the entire time. Imagine how much more pleasure you will receive from your investment once you've made an upgrade?
You can upgrade one piece at a time and never have to go without in order to achieve excellent sound quality that simply keeps getting better. While I know on one hand that sacrifice is good for the soul I'm never too thrilled about giving up things that bring me pleasure in order to get better things later. Doing things this way I get to have great sound while I'm saving for even better sound in the future.
The first thing you need to do is set priorities. If you are looking for a surround system, then focus on that rather than flitting back and forth between home theaters and surround sound systems. You will do much better economically and quality wise to go with a surround sound system rather than a home theater in a box sort of kit in the same price range and the only major difference is that a home theater kit in a box often comes with a DVD player. The sacrifice usually lies in the speaker when you purchase a kit such as this for your home. You can not only save money by purchasing the surround sound system as a stand alone system you can get better quality in both the sound system and the DVD/DVR if you purchase them separately rather than together.
You can find speakers and components for surround systems in all kinds of price ranges. You want to make sure that if you are purchasing a box set for your surround sound system that it has all the parts and components you will need in order to get theater quality sound. Set a budget before you begin shopping however and do not allow yourself to be talked into something that is outside your budget.
Another thing you can do in order to stay within budget is to purchase a 5.1 surround sound system with 6 speakers (5 plus the subwoofer) that can expand to a 7.1 speakers with the addition of speakers over time. This allows you to expand and improve your system in time but gives you a good starting point, provided that you have good quality speakers. There really isn't enough that can be said about the budget friendliness of a system that can be upgraded and expanded over time. If you get a nice base system it is possible that you will be able to change the speakers over time as your budget becomes more flexible and electronics friendly. If you do not purchase your speakers as a complete set you need to make sure that the speakers you purchase later are compatible with the speakers in your surround sound system. In most cases this isn't a problem if you purchase the same brand and style however if there has been a significant passage of time or shift in technology it could prove problematic.
Despite the high price of many surround sound and home theater systems, it is quite possible to own a system of your very own and greatly enhance your home television viewing and sound experience greatly without going to debtor's prison on the process. Take the time to compare prices, learn what you absolutely need and what you can live without, and start small, then build up to a better system rather than going into the buying process with an all or nothing attitude. You just might find that you have a far superior system over time with half the investment others have made in theirs.
The sound is the most important feature of any surround sound system and there are many things that go into creating the perfect sound. When it comes to home theaters and surround sound systems the only way to know for sure that you will be getting what you want for your space is to listen to the sound. You may find that what sounded like sound nirvana in the sound room doesn't ring so true in your living room. Make sure that the store or website from which you are purchasing has a liberal return policy on components and speakers-especially speakers as they are the most costly components of your surround sound system and the most expensive to replace. Also read the customers reviews, It will help you to make the right decision.
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