General

A Guide to Home Theater Audio

Are you looking to upgrade your home with a new speaker system to go in your theater or tv room? At Aaron’s Home Tech, we understand that the last thing you want with the crisp images coming from your tv or projector is a speaker system that crackles with static.

Location, Location, Location

For optimal sound, the location of your speakers is just as important as the type of speakers you buy for your home theater. Aaron’s Home Tech are experts in home audio systems and can help guide you through determining the best spot for your new speaker system and which speakers you should install. 

What speakers do you need?

At minimum, your home theater audio system should have a 5.1 channel system to give you a full-surround experience. The “5.1” refers to the number of speakers and subwoofers required for that surround sound system. The “5” corresponds to the number of speakers, and the “1” is the number of subwoofers. Many Blu-rays, DVDs, TV broadcasts and streaming platforms are formatted in 5.1. You can upgrade to a 6.1, 7.1, 7.2, 9.1, and so on and so forth, for an even better experience. But a 5.1 is the simplest type of system.

The two most popular speaker systems are Dolby Digital, the most commonly used speakers in movie theaters, and DTS, which is considered to be a slight notch above Dolby Digital in terms of sounding more realistic. There is also Dolby Atmos, which creates 3D sound by pushing specific audio to specific speakers. Dolby Atmos speakers are placed on top of your other speakers or on high shelves so they project sound upward or are installed overhead into your ceiling, with the sound coming down from above. Dolby Atmos speakers are an additional number, so if you have a 5.2.4 system, that means you have 5 speakers, 2 subwoofers, and 4 Atmos speakers. Keep in mind that most home theater systems max out at 11 audio channels, so the combined amount of speakers can’t exceed that number. For instance, you could do a 7.2.2 system but not an 8.2.2.

Where to put your speakers

Once you have decided what type of speakers and how many you want to use for your home theater, you can figure out the best place(s) to put them. For a 5.1 system, three of the five speakers are put in the center of the room, and two are placed in the rear. If you don’t want to worry about having to rearrange furniture, a 5.1 system may be the right fit. If you’re using Atmos speakers, you will need to stack them on other speakers, on a shelf, or hang them from the ceiling. However you do it, there should be no obstruction between any of the speakers and where you and your guests are sitting.

Figuring out what type of speakers to use and where to place them in your home theater is complicated. Let our team at Aaron’s Home Tech take the guesswork out of the equation! We specialize in home sound system installation in Atlanta. Call us today! We will help you choose the right audio equipment and determine the best place to put it so you can sit back, relax, and lose yourself in your new home theater.

Back Next

Recent Blogs

Elevate Your Outdoor Living with Aaron’s Home Tech

As the leaves start to change and the air gets a bit cooler, it’s time to start thinking about how you can update your backyard technology to make the most of the fall season. Aaron’s Home Tech is here to help with their top-notch smart home automation systems, which include features such as lighting, television, […]
Sep 1st, 2023 | by Charles Vail

Get Ready for Football Season with Upgrades from Aaron's Home Tech

Football season is right around the corner, and it’s time to start thinking about how you can upgrade your home entertainment system to make the most of this exciting time. Aaron’s Home Tech is here to help with their pre-season product upgrades that will take your home sound system installation, home theater installation, and Smart […]
Aug 1st, 2023 | by Brandon Dial

Are You Ready for Football Season? Aaron’s Home Tech Can Help

Are you a football fan looking to take your viewing experience to the next level? Whether you’re hosting game day parties or just want to enjoy the games in style, Aaron’s Home Tech can help you make it happen. With decades of combined experience in home sound system installation, home theater installation, home audio installation, […]
Jul 3rd, 2023 | by Charles Vail

Why Self-Installed Security Systems Aren’t Worth It

We live in a world full of threats and risks. Thieves steal packages right off of front porches, burglars break-in night and day, and every new homebuyer worries “is this a good neighborhood?” Luckily, home security systems are also widely available, with various companies offering installation services, or Do-It-Yourself kits. Many people feel safer and […]
Jun 1st, 2023 | by Brandon Dial

High-Quality Home Security Camera Options

When it comes to protecting your home with a high-quality security system, cameras are one of the first and most important lines of defense. They can record footage of unsafe or suspicious activity, alert you when motion is detected, and can even contain two-way intercom systems that allow you to hear what’s going on and […]
May 1st, 2023 | by Charles Vail

Outdoor Audio Options For Your Backyard

Music can add almost any vibe to a space, transforming your backyard into a summer resort full of good feelings or a relaxing oasis floating in the pool. From the grill to the bar, the snack table to umbrella-covered lounge chairs, music really sets the mood all season. Investing in a good audio system is […]
Apr 3rd, 2023 | by Brandon Dial

What Is Whole House Audio?

Do you like to listen to music throughout your entire house? Maybe while you are cleaning and going from room to room or when you are hosting a party? You have two options if you want to hear music throughout your home. You can turn the music up loud enough to hear in every room […]
Mar 1st, 2023 | by Charles Vail

To Be Wired or Not to Be Wired? That Is the Question

If you enjoy listening to music throughout your home, you’ll want to include a whole home audio system when designing your ideal in-home entertainment experience. When selecting a home audio system, you’ll face the decision of whether to choose a wired or wireless audio system. The answer is not simple. It is important to understand […]
Feb 1st, 2023 | by Brandon Dial

When Does an 8K Screen Make Sense?

You’ve probably heard of HD TVs, but is your TV 8K Ultra HD? One of the newer TVs on the market, an 8K TV has four times the resolution of a 4K TV and sixteen times the resolution of a full HD TV. While, generally speaking, the higher resolution a TV has, the sharper and […]
Jan 2nd, 2023 | by Charles Vail

A Guide to Home Theater Audio

Are you looking to upgrade your home with a new speaker system to go in your theater or tv room? At Aaron’s Home Tech, we understand that the last thing you want with the crisp images coming from your tv or projector is a speaker system that crackles with static. Location, Location, Location For optimal […]
Dec 1st, 2022 | by Brandon Dial

What Is Needed For A Home Theater System?

Are you considering converting a room in your home into a state-of-the-art home theater? Home theaters are enjoying increasing popularity because they give you and your family the feeling of going to the movies without leaving your house.  If you are thinking about investing in a home theater, you likely want to get the biggest […]
Nov 1st, 2022 | by Charles Vail

Shedding Some Light On Automated Home Lighting

While the list of benefits that installing home lighting automation brings is almost endless, there are some additional enhancements you’ll immediately notice. When you install a smart lighting system, you are immediately upgrading the look and feel of your home, and you will feel great knowing you are saving money on energy expenses and keeping […]
Oct 1st, 2022 | by Brandon Dial