How to Design a Theater System
When you watch a movie in a theater, the sound pulses all around you, pulling you into the story. With a home theater system, you can have that experience at home, too, with the added benefit that you can pause your movie while you get popcorn. Designing a theater system can result in an entertainment system that's simple, elaborate or somewhere in between, and can fit almost any budget, depending on what you want and how much you're willing to pay for it.
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Instructions
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An uncluttered room with ample space for viewing and walking provides for a quality home theater. Examine the room to ensure it is large enough to accommodate the components and comfortable seating and provide good acoustics for your home theater experience.
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Basic home theater components don't have to be expensive. Set a budget for your home theater system and make a list of components that will fit in that budget. You may be starting from scratch, or you may already have such basics as the television, DVD or Blu-ray player and cable TV or satellite receiver. You will also need a surround-sound capable stereo receiver and speakers and stands or cabinets in which to place components and speakers.
Discuss your plan with others who are familiar with theater systems, such as an installer at an electronics business and people you know who have theater systems in their homes. You may have the opportunity to check out their theater systems and get ideas for your own.
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Design your television. Place seating at a distance between two and three times the diagonal measurement of your television. Allow ample space for people to walk comfortably around the room.
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Map out where you will place your speakers. Place the center speaker level with the front of your television. Place the left and right front speakers at least 6 feet apart, with the television centered between them. Position them facing the audience and at half the height of the television. Place the surround-sound speakers on both sides of the audience and slightly elevated. Test the subwoofer in a variety of positions; place near a wall for more bass and in a corner for even more bass. Adjust speaker placement to your liking once your system is installed.
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Components arranged in an attractive manner add to the style of your home theater. Research the components you wish to add, whether you're buying an inexpensive all-in-one set or more pricey individual components.
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Tips & Warnings
Plan to keep the room uncluttered for a better theater experience in which the screen is always the focal point.
Make your seating is comfortable. Consider adding some pillows to rest against.
Budget for a good surge protector to safeguard your valuable equipment.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Plasma panel image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com luxury home movie theater image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com home sinema system image by Pavel Losevsky from Fotolia.com home movie theater components image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
