Where Do I Start

You are ready to get that great home theater system you have been thinking about for years. You want to be able to watch sports, movies, HD television programs and listen to great music. You want everyone in your family to be able to enjoy the system. But how do you do it?

Designing a home theater system is simple. Designing and installing a great home theater system is not so easy.

Here are some tips that will make your project a success.

 Ideal speaker layout
The front three speakers should be set around the television at nearly equal heights to each other. The center speaker can be placed slightly behind the left and right speakers, if necessary, but never ahead of them. The left and right front speakers should be as close to a 45° angle as possible to mimic the conditions set by the mixer at the film studio. Many people think that the surround speakers go directly behind the viewing area. Actually the best place for them is 2'-3' above the viewing area and directly to either side of it.

Listen for yourself—specs vs. sight and sound. Don't be confused by technical specifications because they aren't always an accurate indicator of performance. Auditioning speakers is very subjective–the bottom line is whether a system looks and sounds good to you.

 Why furniture is important
The right audio/video furniture not only looks better in your home, it can actually enhance your system's performance and allow each component to operate at its peak level.

The components in your system generate heat and vibration that can adversely affect sound quality. This is why it's not a good idea to stack components on top of each other. Putting each component on its own shelf minimizes the possibility of signal interference and gives your electronics adequate ventilation. A proper home for your entertainment system protects your investment, gets rid of those tangled connections, and shows off your equipment with style!

 Television Size
Bigger is not always better. Choosing the right size television for your room is a critical element to the overall success of your dream project. We suggest that you take the time to draw a diagram of your room. Measure the distance between your couch and where you would like to have your television. This distance will dictate the size of your screen.