Say goodbye to the days when you could get by without having some sort of sound system for your television. As pictures have improved with 4K/UHD, the audio components haven’t quite kept pace.
To get the full immersive audio-visual experience, you’ve got to throw some audio equipment into the mix.
Assembling a sound system can be tough, but Best Buy is here to help get your audio game on point with these tips.
1. Ditch the wires
Wireless sound systems are quickly becoming the standard for home theater. Sound bars and complete sound systems are not only easy to set up, they also keep your entertainment set-up looking oh so clean.
2. Sound bar or multichannel sound system?
It all depends on the size of the room. Living in an apartment? A sound bar is the perfect device for this space. It provides more definition than TV speakers at a reasonable price and is straight forward to set up. If you have a bigger space and want a totally immersivee experience, nothing can compare to a true surround sound system.
3. Surround sound – 5.1 channel system or 7.1 channel system?
A 5.1 channel set-up gives you five speakers – front left, center and right, rear left and right – and a subwoofer. The center speaker provides audio clarity when someone is speaking during a movie or TV show. A 7.1 set-up throws in two additional speakers – rear-side left and right – which provide even more audio clarity, particularly in movies and sporting events.
4. Alright, I’ve got the speakers, now where do I set them up?
Your ideal situation is setting up the front left and right speakers on each side of the TV, with the center speaker placed directly above or below the screen. The rear left and right speakers should then be placed behind the sofa. Every room is different, and not all can house this set-up, so talk with a Magnolia System Designer or Geek Squad Installer to help ensure your speakers are set up in the most optimal way for your space.
5. Dolby Atmos
Want to take this sound game up to an entirely new level? Consider a Dolby Atmos set-up. Atmos pumps out 3D-like sound by throwing in-ceiling speakers into the mix.