Home Theatre Speakers
Home Theatre Speakers
Home theatre speakers have been a big term in the audio electronics for almost a decade.
There are many home theatre systems on the market.
The 5.1 surround setup was essentially the first commercial configuration (1987).
It has 5 high to medium frequency channels and 1 low frequency subwoofer.
Hence the term - 5.1 was invented. The 5.1 configuration is the absolute minimum to achieve a sense of musical spaciousness.
Today you have 6.1, 7.1, 9.1, 9.2, 10.2 and 22.2 configurations of home theatre speakers.
The ".2" in this case does not mean 2 subwoofers but rather 2 low frequency channels (of which one requires the subwoofer).
Home theatre speakers are specifically designed to process new lossless audio from systems like Dolby, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.
Home Theatre Speakers - The Configuration
The more channels you have the more realistic spatial audio you achieve.
However, for most of the movie and music applications 7.1 channels is regarded as good and 5.1 as sufficient.
In the typical 5.1 configuration you have 2 side-front planar-magnetic (or electrostatic) audio speakers, 1 frontal speaker and 2 surround speakers.
In most cases the surround speakers use the wireless technology.
The .1 channel belongs to the low frequency subwoofer.
Good quality home theatre speakers allow for a time delay to accurately synchronise the position with time.
Those 2 tall side speakers require a bit of fiddling to achieve an optimal result.
They actually control the main left and right sounds.
The surround speakers also require some "massaging" but are less detrimental to the overall effect.
They are only used to supplement rear sound channels which are active occasionally.
The subwoofer should be in front of the listener. The same applies to the front-midrange speakers.
In fact you can put the small front speaker on top of the subwoofer to get a very good configuration (make sure that both do not interfere with vibrations).
The more complex systems like: 7.1 surround setup, 9.1, etc require a bit more space to optimally locate the home theatre speakers.
The 10 and 22 channels are probably impractical for an average house and should be installed in larger spaces (schools, community centers, etc.)
Home Theatre Surround Speakers
The home theatre surround speakers process rear left and right sounds. For this reason, these speakers do not require optimal location. Therefore, many household use ceiling speakers to provide rear audio effects. Almost all surround home theatre speakers are wireless speakers. The wireless technology does not mean "no wires". However, any access to the mains will allow the receiver and the surround speakers to be install almost anywhere in the house.
Home Theatre Speakers Prices
We would not recommend to buy home theatre speakers separately. The product is not a specialist type of the audio system. What's more, different speakers may require an amplifier to match the drivers. Thus, the best option is to purchase the entire set. A good quality 5.1 channel home theatre sells for about $700-$800. The Samsung HT-BD125 full Blue-Ray costs about $750 and offers a decent reliability. The Yamaha 7.1 channel with 3D compatibility and improved Dolby technology sells for $1600. The 9.1 channel home theatre system will break $2000 mark.