The best selection of audio and video components let you down, if agreed with speakers of poor quality. Good speakers do not have to cost a bundle, even if spending too much. For a home theater system, you can start with two or three boxes and allows others as needs and budget. Size is no indication of quality
OFFER
available from the hundreds of brands of speakers, are the big names Altec, Bose, JBL, KLH, Pioneer, Polk Audio, RCA and Sony, andYamaha. The speakers are stored by large customers, audio / video, and "boutique" retailers sold. You can also buy online, but shipping costs up to $ 100 will be produced, because the speakers are quite heavy.
The speakers are sold in pairs for traditional stereo setups, and singly or in groups of five fifty-seven equipping a home theater. A balanced system, left and right in pairs and do not buy one. The center speaker should be coordinatedfront (or main) speakers. For the best sound, should have the rear speakers and a sound similar to the front speakers. The front speakers deliver stereo effect and make the most of the sound the listener's ears. The center (or center channel) speakers to provide focus on dialogue and generally set above or below the TV in an entertainment center. Rear speakers, sometimes called surround or satellite speakers deliver environmental factors such as crowd noise. A subwoofer withlower notes.
Price range: less than $ 300 to over $ 1,000.
Bookshelf. These are among the smallest, but 12 to 18 cm in size, many are still too large to fit on a shelf typical. A couple of these may be the only speaker in a stereo or the front or back duo in a home theater to serve. Device can serve as a center channel, where it is magnetically shielded so as not to interfere with the TV. speakers are small, as they have made progress in theirSkill, deep bass without distortion or noise to deal with. Each lower limits of management would be less problematic for use in a multi-speaker, a subwoofer to reproduce deep bass.
Rates: $ 100 to over $ 800.
permanent speaker. Typically, about 3-4 meters high, these large speakers also serve as a single speaker stereo system or as a pair in front of a home theater system. Their large closets have the potential to do more justice to deep basssmall speakers, but we think that many listeners with small speakers that would have been happy with the bass management. Although the model was doing a bit 'better, to their size and cost control for buyers smaller, cheaper models library.
Rates: $ 300 to over $ 1,000.
Center speaker. In a multi-channel, the center speaker is above or below the television. Because it is primarily a dialogue that manages to sell not be as full as that of the front pair,but their sound should be similar, so that all three mix well. Dedicated center channel speaker is short and wide (6 cm in height and 20 cm wide, for example) so that they perch neatly on a TV.
Rates: $ 100 to over $ 500.
Rear surround speakers. Rear speakers in a multichannel setup carry mostly background sounds like a lot of noise. Recent multi-channel formats such as Dolby Digital, DTS, DVD-Audio, SACD, and a more detailed analysis of these speakers compared to previous formats. You getthe best combination, if the rear pair sounds similar to the front pair. Rear speakers are usually small and light (often 5 to 10 cm and 3 to 6 pounds), so that wall-mounted or on a shelf.
Rates: $ 100 to over $ 500.
Three pieces in September Designed to be used as a stand-alone or combine them with other speakers, two satellite speakers for midrange and higher tones or shelf or is a center speaker or a subwooferBass.
Price range: $ 300 to $ 800.
Six pieces. These systems have four satellites (for front and rear pairs), a center speaker and a subwoofer. set of six pieces will save you the trouble of adjusting the unmistakable sound of six speakers. This can be a difficult task of being at home, and even more of a challenge amid the noise of a shop that is not a decent listening room.
Rates: $ 400 to over $ 1,000.
Other shapes and sizes. A"Tower of Power" is a speaker tower, usually about $ 1,000, with a side shot, subwoofer in the base.
IMPORTANT
Lovers of loud sound should pay their attention to a speaker's measured impedance, which affects how well the speakers commented and receiver. Power range refers to advertising watts per channel. The combined power of a front or rear should be the same. In addition, a spokesman for the power range beyond wattChannel receiver or amplifier. Speakers are sold near a TV, usually with a magnetic shield, so as not to distort the image with their actual magnet.
SELECTION GUIDE
Given the size. Speakers in all shapes and sizes, as it fits into your space. Tower speaker might overwhelm smaller spaces. Bookshelf speakers are often a better fit. But some are quite large, so be sure to choose a model, the shelf or in the form of nicheintended for them. And do not worry that you give up quality for compactness. Many small speakers do a good job. The style can also factor in the decision. Some speakers are shaped like elegant, silver. Others are more conventional "black boxes".
Focus on accuracy, not advertising. The most important attribute of a precision loudspeaker - the ability to sound frequencies without over-or under-emphasizing some of the audio reproduction. As our tests have shown timeand yet, some of the best speakers will be among the most accurate. Ads often tout two-way or three-way driver and the size of the cone of a loudspeaker, but you can not judge the sound quality thanks to these attributes.
Feel the difference. Even speakers with comparable accuracy scores can sound very different. A model may overestimate the treble, while another sub-points. There is no substitute for hearing the speakers, so bring a CD with a piece of music for familybusiness. Pay particular attention to the front pair, because these speakers make the most of the work.
Speakers will sound different at home because your room size, form and function, so to see if the dealer will provide a home office or request the withdrawal. If you are torn between two options, buy the cheapest. Tool can be more open to a return, if you want to trade up to a more expensive.
Check impedance. If loud music, make sure that the receiver is evaluatedManage the impedance (usually 4 to 8 ohms), the pair of front speakers.
Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit http://www.ConsumerReports.org
