Posts Tagged ‘Theater’

Are Home Theater Amplifiers or Preamplifiers Necessary?

Saturday, March 20th, 2010


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There are many lesser-known components available that are vital to creating a high-end home theater environment. Some of these components include sound equipment like a home theater amplifier or a surround sound preamplifier. If you aren’t familiar with these custom home theater components, don’t be overwhelmed. Below you’ll find descriptions of both as well as how you can find a home theater preamplifier and amplifier that’s right for your entertainment system.

The surround sound preamplifier and the home theater amplifier, though similar, are two separate components for a reason. The following is information on these components that will help you get a better understanding of what each does and how they work in unison.

Surround Sound Preamplifier

The home theater preamplifier was originally a simple component contained in the audio-visual receiver that serves as the core of a home theater system. To allow for better control over a theatre’s audio quality, however, many manufacturers have begun offering preamplifiers as a separate component that can be more directly controlled. This doesn’t mean that it’s been completely removed from the A/V receiver and its functions. Several models such as the NAD T175 from NAD still feature decoding technology as well as control functions which allow for greater customization of the audio experience.

As the name implies, the surround sound preamplifier’s job is to act as an initial amplifier for audio signals that come in to the A/V receiver. This allows the amplifier, or power amplifier (as it is also known), to have much less work to do in order to get the audio level to the point that you want it at. By using one in your system, you will also gain an additional control point for making small adjustments to the quality of your sound so that you can make everything exactly like you want it to.

Home Theater Amplifier

The home theater amplifier was also originally just a component of the A/V receiver. As the use of custom components began to rise in popularity, though, the amplifier was one of the first pieces to be separated. A separate amplifier allows for a much greater level of control when it comes to the volume and clarity of your audio, and when combined with a preamplifier, will allow you to customize your audio experience to the layout of the room or rooms that your system covers.

As previously mentioned, the home theater amplifier is sometimes referred to as the power amplifier because it is independently powered, as opposed to having to share its power with the other components of the A/V receiver. When audio information is sent to the amplifier from an A/V receiver or other decoder, it is sent as separate audio channels which are then independently amplified. The specific levels of amplification can be altered at the amplifier itself, allowing you to “shape” the end result to accentuate the specific qualities of your audio that you prefer and that work best with the acoustics of your home layout. Audio components manufacturers such as PSB strive to include as many options for audio customization as possible, ranging from basic graphics equalizers and volume controls to virtual audio effects, bass boosting technology, and the ability to emulate a wider range of sounds from individual speakers to better control the way that your home theater system plays audio.

If you are designing a very large home theater room or if you plan to have a complicated theatre layout, consider purchasing these components. When the two pieces are installed and are working together, you will have greater control over volume, better sound quality and clarity, and an optimum system for making additional customization changes to. A home theater custom installer can give you specific information about your amplifier needs if you are unclear about whether these items are right for your theater.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Ben Anton lives in the Northwest and writes for Ronny’s 5th St. Audio Vision.
Ben Anton invites you to find out more about surround sound preamplifiers and other home audio components at the new Ronnys stereo store

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What is a Home Theater in a Box?

Saturday, March 6th, 2010

If you are acquiring home theater for the very first time and don’t know a lot about electronics or are unwilling to take the time to put together a system in stages then a home theater in a box may be a excellent way to get on track. The comparative ease of setting up the system is the reason why it is the largest growth product in the audio category and why it is growing to be quite fashionable with the majority of consumers.

The term is given to all-in-one digital audio systems, which usually consist of a progressive scan DVD player, radio receiver, digital surround sound amplifier, speakers and a powered sub-woofer. In fact, it gives you everything except the big screen TV.

When considering a purchase however, there are a number of recommended pointers to be made. Some systems have a propensity to cut corners on speaker assembly and quality, when compared to separate unit systems and are intended for home cinema use more than for listening to music. You may possibly be disappointed, if you are a serious listener to music, with the performance of most home theater-in-box systems, that may not deliver the pure power that you might need for a larger room.

However, since it’s introduction, it has quickly caught on with consumers hungry for a convenient, easy-to-understand compilation. The biggest benefit offered is simplicity, it’s easy to install and use and, for the most part, all of the required connection cables are provided. Budget wise these systems in a box can strike a balance between sound quality and cost and although there exists a wide price range, a home theater in a box can start for as little as a couple hundred dollars. More importantly, for the consumer, there are many brands available.

Conversely a custom system is a lot more expensive and you may even have to employ someone to help you with the installation of the equipment since it can be a difficult task for beginners.

For anyone who needs an uncomplicated surround sound system, or lacks the budget for a big and elaborate system, home-theater-in-a-box is a remedy. It is also a solution if space is at a premium or a second system is required for a second room.

The wonderful feature about these systems is that you know that everything you require to get up and running is all there. So if you’re looking to get started easily and without a lot of trouble you may want to look at a home theater in a box for quick and easy entry into the world of home theater. For you, it could be perfect solution.

Learn more about Home Theater In A Box or any aspect of Home Theater at http://www.home-theatre-system-guide.com a popular website full of tips and advice.

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Home Theater Speakers – More About Subwoofers

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

We all know what bass can do to a movie soundtrack. It can create drama, danger, even a feeling of strength depending on the visuals that go along with it. Bass is one of the most important elements of any audio format because it provides balance and contrast to the overall score of a movie, television show, even commercial. Quality bass in a sound system is impressive while not being overpowering.

In a 5.1 surround sound system, one of the most common for home theater installations, the ‘.1′ is the bass. The speaker for the bass sounds on a soundtrack is called a subwoofer. Lower frequency sound waves use a larger diaphragm to move the amount of air it takes to make these sounds. While smaller speakers can produce these lower frequency waves, they typically cannot produce the kind of quality that one would expect from a quality theater. Smaller speakers can often sound tinny when trying to produce these lower sounds. Large home theatre speaker towers are capable of handling this part of the soundtrack though it may require the reduction of sound quality from the mid and high range frequency speakers.

Choosing a good sound system with a quality bass speaker is not impossible, even for people who do not have a lot of experience. First, start with the subwoofer. Homeowners will need to consider whether they require a passive sub or an active woofer. A passive subwoofer does not need a separate power supply. Rather it uses power from the same amp that is driving the other home theatre speakers. Volume from the amplifier can usually be controlled, there is less control overall with a passive sub. An active sub has a separate power supply. This means that the signal received from the amplifier/receiver is enhanced by the subwoofer itself, without taking any of the power from the other speakers.

Once you have your home theater subwoofer and other speakers picked out, lay them out to get the best sound from each. Bass sound is omni-directional, meaning that it goes out from the speaker in all direction. To decide where to place the subwoofer, put it in the same position that you will be sitting in, whether it is on the couch facing the television screen or in a home theater chair. Turn on a favorite film then move around your room and listen. Find the spot that the bass sounds best and move your subwoofer to that location. It can be set on the ground, on a shelf or off of a wall depending on where you feel the best low tone sound is heard. Since the sounds are going out and bouncing around the room in roughly the same direction, the sound should be great when you get it into place.

We’ve all heard the laments of mothers and fathers forced to deal with the incessant thumping and pounding of boom box bass lines from their adolescent’s car or room. There is something to say for the potential for this phenomenon to occur in a home theater as well. While walls, ceiling and floor will generally block high sound frequencies from leaving the room, they can actually increase the volume of the lower range sounds. While laying out your speakers, try to also find the right volume balance for all frequencies that your family can enjoy the sound quality a bass can provide without driving your neighbors crazy.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Ben Anton lives in Portland, OR and writes for Ronny’s 5th St. Audio Vision.
We invite you view the best in home subwoofers for theaters from vendors like Dali and Quad at Ronny’s speaker, home theater and accessories store.

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