What is the Right Surround Sound System for You?

Hooking up a TV and making it sound the way you want it to can be a little tricky, but can be very fun if you follow a few simple steps. There is nothing quite a cool as being able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor after completing a task that is not easy and takes a little time.

There are several things to consider when looking at a surround sound system for your home, not the least of which is cost. Based on the manufacturer, and type of system, some surround systems can be quite expensive. While it is not necessary to break the back when choosing a system for your home, you should be aware that the more money you spend, it is likely that you will get a better quality sound for your home theater.

If you do not want to go through the hassle of determining what components you need, what type of speakers, how many speakers, how much wiring, the easiest solution is a pre-packaged home surround sound system. There are several options available when looking for a pre-packaged system, so you should have an idea of what you are looking for before you make a decision.

First, you can get what is called a sound bar. A sound bar is a speaker that sits directly over or under your television and mimics a surround sound speaker by having multiple channels of sound. It usually has a separate subwoofer that sits on the floor next to the TV. It is a trick of sound that make your ears believe that they are hearing surround sound. An advantage to this set-up is the ease of setting up the system and only having a couple of components to hook up.

Another option for your surround sound system is a 5.1 channel system. The 5.1 system is made up of 6 speakers. Three separate channel speakers are placed in the front of the room, above and on both sides of the television. The subwoofer is usually placed in the front of the room as well, on the floor by the television. The remaining two speakers are placed in the back of the room, on opposite sides of the viewing area. This is the most common surround sound system, available with several different options, including wireless rear speakers.

The last of the all in one system is a 7.1 channel system. It is the newest version and is great for using with the new Blu-ray players. Many new Blu-ray movies are available in a 7.1 which means the sound in much more realistic and vibrant. It is basically the same five speakers that a 5.1 system would have, but with two extra satellite speakers for the middle, sides of the room.