There are several consumer theories out there on how to buy surround sound speakers that need to be taken into question. One is to just buy one of those theaters in a box which is fine if you have a smaller room and aesthetics are more important than sound quality. Another is just to buy inexpensive center channel and rear speakers to go along with existing speakers. My favorite is spending most of your budget on the main speakers and not leaving yourself enough money for a better subwoofer.
Keep in mind these very important points:
1. most of what you are listening to in a surround sound system comes out of the center channel speaker . You center channel should be at least as good as your front speakers, if not better.
2. Subwoofers add most of the excitement in the most crucial parts of a movie or TV show.
To best understand the importance of a good subwoofer requires an understanding of 1) how a subwoofer works, and 2) it’s function or job. A subwoofer is a woofer driver (deep bass speaker) and an amplifier to amplify the sound coming from the receiver’s subwoofer output. Basically, what a subwoofer tries to do is pressurize the space it is in with bass. Not just the room, but the space it is in. This point is crucial if you have an open floor plan in your house. If you are using an inexpensive subwoofer, it will struggle to do its job (woofer missile anyone?). If you have a large space (larger than 10X12) you need a woofer with a better, more powerful amplifier and a better driver. Expect to pay at least $500 or $600 and up to get a good quality subwoofer.
The bottom line is if you want to get great clarity of sound on voices and have an awesome theater like experience (or better) at home, make sure to get the appropriate subwoofer and center channel for your system and room/space. These are something you are going to have for a long time and if you really enjoy the movie theater experience don’t skimp. You will be happy that you didn’t. Anyone up for a Star Wars marathon?!?!?
Keep in mind these very important points:
1. most of what you are listening to in a surround sound system comes out of the center channel speaker . You center channel should be at least as good as your front speakers, if not better.
2. Subwoofers add most of the excitement in the most crucial parts of a movie or TV show.
To best understand the importance of a good subwoofer requires an understanding of 1) how a subwoofer works, and 2) it’s function or job. A subwoofer is a woofer driver (deep bass speaker) and an amplifier to amplify the sound coming from the receiver’s subwoofer output. Basically, what a subwoofer tries to do is pressurize the space it is in with bass. Not just the room, but the space it is in. This point is crucial if you have an open floor plan in your house. If you are using an inexpensive subwoofer, it will struggle to do its job (woofer missile anyone?). If you have a large space (larger than 10X12) you need a woofer with a better, more powerful amplifier and a better driver. Expect to pay at least $500 or $600 and up to get a good quality subwoofer.
The bottom line is if you want to get great clarity of sound on voices and have an awesome theater like experience (or better) at home, make sure to get the appropriate subwoofer and center channel for your system and room/space. These are something you are going to have for a long time and if you really enjoy the movie theater experience don’t skimp. You will be happy that you didn’t. Anyone up for a Star Wars marathon?!?!?
What subwoofer and center channel should I get
Jim Carter's Technology Blog
Posted 3/13/2008
