How to Buy an Integrated Home Theater Audio System

Even knowledgeable audiophiles can find that the variety and complexity of audio and video systems makes buying a home entertainment system a time-consuming task. However, with some research and possibly professional help, it's not difficult to plan and install a perfect home theater.

Instructions

1. Enlist the services of a trained audio/video designer who is up to date on the latest trends and technology. It's not necessary for a buyer to know everything about the latest in cutting edge home audio technology. Get references from the professional that you consult to be sure that his experience covers projects similar to yours.

2. Wire now for the future. If you are building or remodeling a home, anticipate your future needs. Pre-wiring now is easier than retrofitting later. Media panels are available where video, telephone and data cables can be terminated.

3. Consider a Home Theater in a Box (HTiB), an all-in-one surround sound system that do-it-yourselfers can hook up into an existing television set. No matter what you buy, insist on getting integrated systems consisting of equipment that you can hook up together with one user-friendly control system. These HTiB systems can be as basic as a one or two carton system that is ready to plug into your TV set and go, all the way up to more comprehensive models with performance that would be hard to tell from individual component setups.

4. Be sure the system you are considering works in the room where you put it. Measure any cabinetry in your home that may contain the system to be sure that the pieces fit. Take a tape measure to the store to measure the components. Draw a diagram and bring it along if you are unsure.

5. Become a techie and familiarize yourself with such terms as Dolby ProLogic, Dolby ProLogic II, Dolby Digital, DTS, audio outputs and speaker configuration. Print and online magazines such as PC World provide plenty of information to help you acquire a rewarding system. Your system should be ready to accommodate digital television and DVDs.

6. Listen before you buy. Bring your own discs to the store so that you can hear familiar movies or music to be sure the sound is what you hope for. You might want to bring along a DVD with big sound effects that can test the bass sound to be sure it holds up when blasting full force.