A good home theater: impermissible luxury or affordable technology

Modern manufacturers of audio and video equipment are trying to diversify their products as much as possible in order to attract as many customers as possible. One of such good advanced "baits" is a home theater (DC). What is a similar device, what components does it include? Is it really needed in every home? And also, what advantages and disadvantages of use should a potential user of the equipment of the segment in question be prepared for? In the article below, we have answered as much as possible to these and other questions related to the acquisition of the theater for home use.

About product

“Why should I buy expensive equipment if I can watch the same movie on a regular TV?” - you ask and you will be wrong.

A home cinema system implies a certain set of equipment that can together recreate a high-quality picture and surround sound, bringing the user as close as possible to the sensations from using it to be in a real full-size cinema. The vast majority of modern films are created in multi-channel sound reproduction format for the best immersion of the viewer in the viewed content. Not a single TV, even the latest model, is capable of transmitting 3D sound, due to the lack of technical capabilities, namely a number of channels for transmitting sound.

Unlike traditional LCD TVs, the home theater speaker system is designed specifically for even distribution or, on the contrary, concentration (depending on the situation) of sound at one point relative to the position of the viewer.

In addition to acoustics, which usually includes 5 or 7 speakers placed around the perimeter of the room in which the home theater is used, its equipment also includes:

• signal source (such, at the request and ability of the user, you can make a VCR, PC, DVD - player or HD - player);
• amplifier (increasing the volume and sound power of weak signals, automatically translating them into the speaker system or display device);
• AV - receiver ("responsible" for decoding a variety of digital formats available to a particular device);
• connecting wires (connecting together the components of a common DC system);
• display device (which theoretically can be used a traditional TV, LCD or "plasma" panel, projector, and so on).

Before proceeding to the formation of an algorithm for choosing a high-quality home theater, it is advisable for the buyer to familiarize themselves with the most common pros and cons of using such equipment. Some of the most popular benefits include:

• compatibility with the vast majority of modern digital formats;
• “Versatile” functionality (audio system + video equipment + karaoke and so on);
• expanding the technical capabilities of the TV;
• the ability to watch movies in 4K quality and listen to audio in 3D sound format.

However, not a single device works perfectly, and a home theater, even the highest quality, is no exception. Most often, users in the operation of this type of equipment have to deal with:

• lack of functionality in audio playback;
• lack of support for "obsolete" digital media;
• really powerful amplifiers for the most accurate sound transmission are used only in top models;
• the dimensions of the system, requiring a lot of free space for its installation in the room in which the direct use of the equipment is planned.

How to choose

After evaluating the above information and making sure that the acquisition of a home theater is feasible, the user should study the basic technical indicators that are decisive in choosing the most suitable device model.

1. Type of main unit. Multicomponent systems (from 3 blocks) and with 1 - 2 functional elements are presented on the modern market. The best option in this case will be the choice in favor of a single, maximum two-unit system, due to its greatest compactness in comparison with other analogues.
2. Acoustics. In the technical parameters indicated by the manufacturers in the passport to the device, the format “x.x” is traditionally used, where the first digit is the number of speakers and the second is the subwoofer. It is advisable to give preference to home theaters with a 5.1 speaker system, given their greater compactness with a relatively equal sound reproduction quality compared to analogs - 7.1 or 7.2.
3. Power. Of course, the higher this indicator, the more expressive will be the transmission of the audio stream. However, in this case, it is still necessary, first of all, to focus on the specifics and the area of ​​the room where the system will be installed. The most acceptable indicator is a total power of at least 900 watts.
4. Size and weight. The maximum dimensions of the purchased equipment should also be determined by the "capabilities" of the room. So, buying a home theater in a country cottage, the user can afford to purchase a set of equipment, which consists of a large screen, a signal source and an audio system that includes 7 speakers and 2 subwoofers. With a similar intention, the owner of an apartment with an average area will most likely be able to afford a TV with a smaller diagonal (for greater comfort when using it at a short distance) and no more than 3, maximum 5 speakers, provided that there is only one amplifier. As for the weight of the system, as a rule, it is 15 - 20 kg, depending on the scope of supply of the selected equipment.
5. Formats and digital media. It is logical to assume that the more modern formats and media will be "supported" by a specific model of a recreation center, the higher its cost. This fact necessitates the selection of the basic set necessary for the presence in a high-quality home theater system. Ideally, the purchased device should correctly “read” files with the extension MPEG4, DivX HD, AVCHD, WMA, MP3, JPEG stored on various types of CD discs and USB media.

To form a complete picture of the technical characteristics of a truly high-quality cinema model for a home, it is advisable for a potential user to familiarize themselves with the following list of the best systems included in the top technology rating of the segment in 2019.

The best models

Harman / Kardon BDS 880

• Amplifier frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Impedance: 6 ohms
• Speaker Power: 65 W
• Subwoofer Power: 200 W
• Multimedia: MPEG4, DivX HD, AVCHD, WMA, MP3, JPEG, BD (Blu-ray Disc), Blu-ray 3D, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD R, DVD RW
• Additional options: support for iPod, DLNA, BD - Live, support for AirPlay, compatibility with Android and Windows devices, built-in FM tuner, built-in Bluetooth

A powerful cinema for use in the apartment, which has the maximum set of functional properties that allow the user to enjoy high-quality sound without making any effort to this.

Sony BDV-N9200W

• Amplifier frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 100dB
• Impedance: 6 ohms
• Total speaker power: 1200 W
• Multimedia: MKV, MPEG4, WMV, MPEG1, MPEG2, VCD, SACD, WMA, MP3, JPEG, BD (Blu-ray Disc), BD-R, BD-Re, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD R, DVD RW
• Additional options: built-in TV tuner, DLNA support, BD - Live, child protection, built-in FM tuner

A good home theater model from a trusted manufacturer, ideally compatible with 4K TVs, in addition to its extensive functionality, supports the vast majority of popular formats, which is a significant advantage of the technology of this segment for a potential buyer.

Samsung HT-J5530K

• Amplifier frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 53 dB
• Impedance: 3 ohms
• Total speaker power: 1000 W
• Multimedia: AVCHD, VCD, MP3, JPEG, BD (Blu-ray Disc), Blu-ray 3D, BD-R, BD-Re, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD R, DVD RW
• Additional options: equalizer, built-in Bluetooth module, support for BD - Live, built-in FM tuner

This model will be an ideal choice for people planning to purchase a high-quality audio system at a budget cost, not inferior in terms of their technical characteristics to many expensive analogues.

LG LHB655

• Amplifier frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 75 dB
• Impedance: 3 ohms
• Total speaker power: 1000 W
• Multimedia: MKV, MPEG4, AVCHD, WMV, MPEG1, MPEG2, WMA, MP3, BD (Blu-ray Disc), Blu-ray 3D, BD-R, BD-Re, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD DVD R DVD RW
• Additional options: 3D playback, built-in Bluetooth module, active subwoofer, progressive conversion, HDMI output, FM tuner

A home theater from Lji, capable of, thanks to surround sound, maximally immerse his user in the movie being watched or create an atmosphere of performing on stage in front of a real audience using karaoke.

Onkyo HT-S7805

• Amplifier frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 83 dB
• Impedance: 6 ohms
• Power of each speaker: 130 W
• Subwoofer Power: 80 W
• Multimedia: WMA, MP3
• Additional options: built-in AV receiver, FM tuner, 5.1.2 system, 2 parallel subwoofer outputs, USB input, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module

This model of home theater is recommended to choose consumers whose priority in the purchase is the sound quality of the audio system. A wide variety of built-in options, as well as decoders provided by the manufacturer, contribute to the reproduction of surround sound, which is not comparable in comparison with budget counterparts.

Based on the information presented above, it can be concluded that the choice of a high-quality home theater is an issue that requires particularly careful study. Bearing in mind the advice given in the article on the selection of equipment, as well as an overview of the technical indicators of the top models of devices of the segment in question, even a person who knows absolutely nothing in audio systems can choose the “ideal” gadget for himself.