[singlepic id=1060 w=320 h=240 float=right]Investing in a cutting edge HDTV sure is a satisfying purchase that’ll bring plenty of enjoyment for years to come. Still, a lovely HD set is just half of the home theater equation. Though it’s often overlooked, the benefits of outfitting your living room with a pleasing surround sound setup to match today’s hi-definition video are huge. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd during your favorite sports broadcasts or the rumble and clang of combat while watching blockbuster movies, multi-channel audio helps you connect to what you see on a truly emotional level. What’s more, with the home audio and video world inevitably moving toward purely digital standards, old-school analog receivers are looking more outdated every day. If you’re not convinced about why you should upgrade your home theater to better sound, you just have no idea what you’re missing.
Learn more after the drop!
How Much Sound is Enough?
HDTVs typically feature two built-in speakers. This stereo arrangement is commonly referred to as a 2.0 channel setup consisting of a left and right channel. The next step up is 2.1 channel audio, where the “0.1” refers to a LFE (Low Frequency Effect or subwoofer). Placed on the floor, subwoofers provide audio systems with the satisfying “oomph” of low-end rumble. Low-end is great for explosions and even for landing fight-scene punches a little more solidity. If you are limited on space and you don’t have room for a multi-speaker set-up, soundbar systems are the way to go. For example, the Samsung WS1, with 2.1 audio gives the effect of virtual surround sound without speakers in all four corners of the room. These unique home theater systems consist of a stylish soundbar that is wall-mountable, and a wireless subwoofer that can be placed anywhere in the room. They are ideal for packing a lot of sound into a smaller space such as bedrooms, smaller apartments, or even family rooms.
Beyond standard 2.0 channel audio, and step-up 2.1 channel audio systems, the most widely adopted flavor of multi-channel home audio is 5.1. A 5.1 setup features, like a 2.1 arrangement, both left and right speakers along with a subwoofer. Additionally there is one center speaker plus a left and right rear speaker. This ring of audio devices creates a circle of sound if you like, making 5.1 arrangements true surround sound systems. Linking and driving all these speakers is what’s referred to as a head unit, a main box that features inputs for various consumer electronics components. In some cases, such as with the Samsung AS730, the head unit will qualify as an actual A/V receiver, meaning you’ll be able to have multiple devices connected to it at once (Blu-ray player, game console, iPod, or other product) and switch between them all at the touch of a button.
The popularity of 5.1 systems can no doubt be attributed to the success of the DVD format. Commercial DVD titles almost always feature content accompanied with surround sound audio tracks, usually Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1. Further adding value to owning a 5.1 channel home theater system is the growing number of satellite and cable broadcasts which are transmitted not just in stunning HD video quality but also with 5.1 surround sound to boot. We’re talking everything from live sporting events and suspense-filled TV dramas to the latest Hollywood movies.
Now with the advent of Blu-ray, hi-definition audio and video in the home has arrived. Besides older 5.1 standards, these advanced discs boast the latest surround sound formats including DTS HD Master Audio and Dolby Digital True HD. Both formats support up to 7.1 channel audio which add an extra two rear surround speakers. Though more audio is usually better, choosing how many speakers to deploy usually depends on the space you have in your living room.
Once you come to your senses and spring for a nice, new surround sound audio system, you’ll no doubt discover that integrating one into your home theater was the best A/V choice you’ve ever made --- besides buying that killer Samsung HDTV of course!
