Getting started
Buying separate components can be time-consuming and expensive, and connecting them can be a challenge. You can avoid some of the hassle by buying a prepackaged system that combines a receiver with a set of matched speakers, wiring, and often a DVD or Blu-ray player. In most cases, a package will cost less than your own system built from scratch. You'll see some home-theater-in-a-box systems selling for less than $200, and a decent selection of systems for about $300, though other models sell for hundreds more. Systems that include an integrated Blu-ray player will probably cost $400 or more.
Unless you're a serious audiophile listening to music critically, you'll probably find the sound quality to be just fine, and better than what you'd get using just your TV's speakers. These systems typically have less power and fewer features than separate components, so they're not the best choice if you want a system with plenty of power for a very large room or noisy setting. Most are not designed for expansion and don't let you add or replace speakers. This home-theater guide will help with your choice.
Types
Home-theater packages include a receiver that can decode multichannel digital-audio sound tracks and typically bundles in five compact speakers--two front, one center channel, two surround speakers for the rear, plus a subwoofer for deep bass sounds. That setup provides 5.1 channels. A 6.1 system adds one more rear speaker, and a 7.1 system adds two more rear speakers. A 2.1 system has only front speakers and a subwoofer but might use special processing to simulate 5.1 channels. Some types of home-theater-in-a-box systems have wireless surround speakers or speakers with flat styling to complement a flat-panel TV. These prepackaged home-theater systems come with all the cables and wiring you need to connect the speakers, usually color-coded or labeled for easy setup. Some players include a disc player, either a Blu-ray player or a DVD player, but others have no player.
Systems with a playerMany home-theater systems include a progressive-scan DVD player, and some newer models include a Blu-ray player. The player might either be built into the receiver or be a separate unit. Systems that integrate the disc player and the receiver in one box tend to offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections than those that have two separate components. Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but they might not allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Some systems bundle in a VCR.
Systems without a playerYou can also buy a home-theater system that doesn't have a disc player. This gives you the option of using a player you already own, or simply buying one of your choice. You'll have to make another connection or two, but you might have more flexibility in setting up the system. Also, because the receiver and player have their own controls, they tend to be easier to use than an integrated device.
Price: $150 to $1,500 for typical systems, and $2,000 or more for systems aimed at audiophiles.
Sound barsIf you have a small space or want a simple way to enhance your TV's sound without going to the trouble of assembling a full surround-sound system, you might be interested in sound bars. These are thin bars, sometimes about 40 inches long, that hang on the wall or sit on a shelf very near to the TV. The bars contain two to five speakers in a single enclosure, and some include a separate subwoofer. Some models now include a Blu-ray or DVD player built into the system. The advantage is that you can connect a sound bar directly to your TV, without using a receiver, and you'll have few wires to deal with--and none that must run to the rear of the room. Speaker arrangement or electronic techniques are used to provide multichannel sound or to emulate surround sound.
Price: $300 to $1,800.
Features
Bundled all-in-one HTIB systems might not have as many features as standalone components, so make sure that any system you're considering has all the features that you want. Virtually all have enough speakers for at least a 5.1 surround setup and such basics as AM/FM tuners, Dolby Digital and DTS surround-sound support. Some systems now include an integrated Sirius XM satellite-radio tuner or a USB port or iPod dock for connecting an iPod or other portable music player so that you can listen to your digital music through the sound system.
SpeakersHTIB surround-sound systems come with five to seven speakers and a subwoofer. All have been matched for sound, eliminating the need for you to do that. Some systems use small satellite speakers for the front and rear, though others might have floor-standing models for the front. A number of systems have wireless surround speakers that eliminate the need to run cables from the receiver to the rear of the room; these generally communicate with the receiver by radio frequency. You will have to plug in the rear speakers, though, so they're not completely cordless. Some subwoofers can also connect wirelessly, further reducing cable runs. The speakers included may use proprietary connections, so you can't add more speakers or use these speakers with other receivers. A subwoofer might be powered or not powered, in which case it must be plugged into an electrical outlet. A powered subwoofer often provides more control over bass.
ReceiverThe receivers in HTIB systems tend to be more basic than standalone models. They usually include Dolby Digital and DTS decoders for handling surround-sound tracks when playing a DVD or Blu-ray disc. A few models offer newer Dolby and DTS surround formats that process 6.1 or 7.1 channels, which support an additional one or two rear-surround speakers, respectively. Some may support the latest audio formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTD-HD Master Audio, which are used on some Blu-ray discs. Later this year, we expect to see the first 3D-enabled HTIB systems that can send signals from a 3D Blu-ray player to a 3D TV.
Online accessMost Blu-ray players now have an Internet feature, called BD-Live, that allows them to access "bonus" online content when playing some Blu-ray discs. In addition, some BD-Live models offer access to streaming movies from services such as Amazon Video On Demand, Netflix, or Vudu, and Internet radio stations such as Pandora or Slacker, and sites such as YouTube.
A/V connectionsThese are critical, because the receiver in a home-theater system is often the hub of your home-entertainment setup. You might want to route video as well as audio signals through your receiver so you can easily switch among sources such as a DVD or a Blu-ray player, video game console, cable or satellite box, and DVR. Consider which devices you'll want to channel through the home-theater unit and which you can hook up directly to the TV. Analog outputs can be used for connecting standard-definition TVs, some standard DVD players or a VCR. An HDMI or component-video output on the receiver lets you feed high-definition signals from a cable or satellite box or a Blu-ray player through the receiver to your TV. These will also provide the best picture quality from a standard DVD player.
Later this year, we expect to see some HTIB systems that include the latest version of HDMI (HDMI 1.4), which provides support for 3D video signals to be sent to a 3D TV.
A digital-audio input can route undecoded digital audio from your disc player, digital-cable box, or satellite receiver. Make sure the input on the home-theater system matches the output on the other device. Some of these units have an optical digital-audio output, while others have a coaxial digital-audio output. But increasingly, newer equipment, such as cable boxes or a Blu-ray player, send digital audio signals over the HDMI cable.
Switched AC outlets let you plug in other components and turn on the whole system with one button. These are less common with HTIB systems than on component receivers.
ControlsLook for a front panel with displays and controls grouped by function and labeled clearly. Check the display for readability. Some models let you set up and adjust functions using the TV screen rather than the small display on the console. You're more likely to find this on models that have a DVD or Blu-ray player integrated with the receiver. Remote controls are most useful when they have clear labels and different-shaped, color-coded buttons grouped by function. A universal remote can control a number of devices from different brands.
Other connectionsiPod connectivity through a dock or a cable allows you to attach your iPod and perform functions such as play, pause, and skip with the system remote. An MP3 mini-jack lets you plug in an MP3 player for listening to music. A USB port lets you connect a player or a flash drive, allowing you to listen to music or see digital photos. Bluetooth capability allows audio to be sent wirelessly to a home theater system from a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a smart phone or portable media player, or from the system to Bluetooth-enabled speakers or headphones.
Radio capabilitiesMost receivers have about 20 or more presets that you can use for AM and FM stations. Satellite-ready models have a satellite-radio tuner, but require a subscription and a special antenna. Some receivers might also have an HD radio tuner, so you can receive that free over-the-air service.
Audio and other featuresMany systems have preset or custom equalizers (EQ) and/or bass/treble adjustments. DSP (for digital-signal processor) modes use digital circuitry to duplicate the sound quality of, say, a concert hall. Each mode represents a different listening environment. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds. Most receivers also have a sleep timer, which turns them off at a preset time.
DVD featuresMost models have track programmability (more useful for playing CDs than DVDs), track repeat, and disc repeat.
Home theater systems Brands
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