1. You Can Start With a Subwoofer
Most HDTV sets do a great job with video but often compromise on audio components. Whether you're listening to a rock concert or an action film, deep resonant bass can make a dramatic difference, so at the very least, consider adding a subwoofer to boost the bass. If you're going to add a subwoofer you might as well go ahead and get the other 5 speakers to round out the 5.1 surround sound or add 2 more if you want to go all the way to 7.1.
2. Pay Attention to Speaker Placement
Aside from the quality of the speakers, where you place them in the room can make a big difference. Remember to move the speakers away from the wall and raise them off the floor. Moving the subwoofer to a different location can make a dramatic difference. Here’s a complete list of speaker placement tips including how to do the subwoofer crawl.
3. Don’t Box Your TV Speakers
into a Corner Placing the TV along with the speakers in the corner of a room can create undesirable reflections and make your audio sound worse. On the other hand, there are often advantages to placing smaller subwoofers in corners.
4. Don’t Buy the Wrong Speaker Set
Most quality speakers include a tweeter, a cone and a woofer in the same enclosure. Even though a small cube speaker might be easier to install, it's unlikely to produce the same quality sound as a larger speaker. Smaller speakers can often provide good quality sound for movies but for music or gaming you’re probably going to want an 8" or larger speaker. Remember that speakers have a subjective component and some listeners will prefer one set of speakers over another so try and listen to the speakers before you buy them. It’s okay to bring a CD or DVD of your favorite music or movie to try out on the sound systems.
5. Hook Up Everything Correctly
When hooking up speakers, avoid out of phase signals which can create unwanted effects by making sure the wire matches the red and black connectors on the TV or receiver and the speakers. Some receivers will compensate for out of phase signals while some others will provide a "phase warning" when using the automatic calibration microphone. HDMI is our preferred choice for connecting devices and the only way to get the highest quality audio from your Blu-ray player. It’s usually better to put your money into bigger speaker cables (more copper) than “expensive” cables. If you are hearing "Hum" or seeing "Snow" your cables probably need upgrading.
6. Overstuff Your Room
The acoustics of your room can make a significant difference in the quality of your audio system. Hardwood floors and bare walls can create unwanted reflections. You may want to consider installing an area rug on a bare floor, some wall coverings and of course, curtains on any windows. The more upholstered furniture like overstuffed chairs and sofas, the better. Bookshelves full of books are also good for room acoustics; just don't put speakers in them.
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