Professional Home Theatre Installation
| Q | How much do I have to spend to achieve the effect that I want? |
| A | It's all relative. The only criteria for buying a system is finding one that sounds and looks right for you. You can achieve a good effect on a small budget, or you can invest in top dollar euipment. It's horses for courses. |
| Q | Can I achieve a good sound without buying big speakers? |
| A | Yes. A good set of satellite speakers in conjunction with a good sub woofer can sound great. Bookshelf speakers can also be a good option. Having said this, a good set of floor speakers will always sound fantastic. |
| Q | Do I need a subwoofer? |
| A | With satellite speakers yes. However with a pair of front speakers with good bass response, you don't necessarily need a sub, although a good sub, and a correctly set up amplifier can add a different dimension to your surround sound. |
| Q | My system sounded great in the showroom, yet a home just doesn't sound that good. Why? |
| A | There's a fair chance that you haven't positioned your speakers correctly, or that you still need to set the distances and levels on your amp properly. |
| Q | What's the difference between a passive and active subwoofer? |
| A | A passive sub uses the amp or receiver to do the work, whereas an active sub has it's own inbuilt amp. Generally speaking an active sub gives a truer bass sound. |
| Q | What do I need to make up a home theatre system? |
| A | The following components make up your typical Home Theatre... • A video display unit. (Plasma, CTV, LCD Display, Projector etc) • A 5.1 Surround Receiver. • A speaker system. • A DVD player. • A Digital Set Top Box or VCR if required. |
| Q | Where should I place my speakers? |
| A | See Soundscapes on this sight for some suggestions. Ideally your front speakers should form a triangle from where you sit. Your rear speakers should be to the side, slightly behind you, and at ear height or higher. Aesthetics also play a large part in the equation. Remember that your centre speaker supplies your dialogue and should be placed accordingly. |