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Step 1
Decide if you want to use a wired or wireless setup for your home theater audio. A wireless receiver can help cut down on cable clutter in your theater room, but some audiophiles claim that digital reproduction isn't as good with wireless units. Some wireless transmitters can be added to the audio chain after the receiver, so buying a wired one doesn't lock you out of future wireless possibilities.
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Step 2
Look for receivers that have enough power to fill the home theater room. In most cases, 100 watts is more than enough to power a loud home theater audio system.
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Step 3
Make sure the receiver is able to handle a wide spectrum of frequencies. At the bare minimum, it should process between 50 and 8000 Hz to ensure accurate reproduction of both low and high frequencies.
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Step 4
Check for surround sound format support. Most receivers will be able to process the three basic kinds of surround sound, like Dolby Digital. If you need or want to use a newer or special format of surround sound, you'll probably have to pick a newer and more expensive receiver.
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Step 5
Look at the distortion rating to make sure your audio signal won't break up at high volumes or with changing signal loads. Distortion ratings are often expressed as a percentage and most people cannot hear 3-4 percent distortion, but anything higher may upset your movie experience.
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Step 6
Examine the other audio capabilities of home theater receivers. You can often run your CD player into the receiver to take advantage of its processing and speaker setup. Some receivers even have built-in radio tuners.
