3. Choosing home theatre: which one is right for me?
The great thing about home theatre is that whatever level of entertainment you're after there's a home theatre system to suit. For some it's a single box that plugs straight into the TV; for others a purpose-built theatre room with all the trimmings. Whatever it is, you're doing it because you want to get more of a thrill out of watching movies by getting closer to that "at the movies" experience – it's just a question of how close you want to get. There are pros and cons whichever route you take, so read on to find the system that has your name on it. Home Theatre systems come in three flavours:.
* Home Theatre in a Box
* Virtual Home Theatre
* Separates Home Theatre
Home Theatre in a Box:
Everything you need to start your home theatre comes in one box (except for a screen). Usually includes a CD/DVD player, AV Receiver, surround sound speakers and a subwoofer. Includes cables.
Home Theatre in a Box – Pros & Cons
- Modest ticket price.
- Compact size because all components are often built into a single box
- Good results possible with minimum effort
- Designed from the ground up to be easy to use and setup
- Components have been purpose made to perform well together
- Good, but still limited results – don't expect cinema quality sound (although there are a few higher quality, higher priced systems available that would satisfy some enthusiasts)
- Modest power means best suited to suit smaller spaces
- Limited or no upgrade path available with some HTIB. When you're ready to upgrade one component you'll probably need to upgrade them all, which can really hurt the bank.
- Made to suit a mass market, not your individual preferences. If you want a particular sound you'll need to buy separate components.
- You pay for components you may already have (e.g. a DVD player)
- Your CD collection will probably sound pretty average
Virtual Home Theatre:
It's called virtual home theatre because it uses just two speakers plus a subwoofer (rather than five or more) and some special sound-processing software to create surround sound effects. Results vary by system but most often what you'll hear is a broader soundstage that is definitely a step in the right direction. These are also usually one-box systems with all components (except for the screen) and cables supplied.
Virtual Home Theatre – Pros & Cons
- Just two speakers to position at the front of your room, so these are easier and neater to install (subwoofer can be positioned out of sight where it suits you).
- You can get a decent surround sound 'effect' but it's not in the same league as a five-speaker surround sound speaker system
- Ease of use is one of the biggest considerations for manufacturers. Put the disc in, press play and the system automatically takes care of the rest
- Good for apartment living or wherever space is limited
- You'll never achieve a cinema quality (or better) experience. With some systems you may even question whether you're getting a surround sound effect at all
- Designed for smaller spaces only
- No upgrade path. Once you want more you'll have to start building a new system
Separates Home Theatre:
Each component (DVD player, AV receiver, speakers) is purchased separately and the performance and price level is dictated by you.
Separates Home Theatre – Pros & Cons
- Create the entertainment solution that gives you exactly the movie and music experience you want
- Separate components are capable of getting you closer to that 'at the movies' experience. Some enthusiasts report an even better than cinema performance
- Shop right and getting started won't cost as much as you think. You may already have some of the components you'll need
- Easy to upgrade as your needs and budget allow
- Better 'value' in the long term. If you plan ahead, you can build a very high-end system over time as your budget allows – without having to replace each component at every upgrade stage
- Quality brands often earned their reputations as manufacturers of music components, so their home theatre components will give you great music replay.
- You'll enjoy a well put together system for many, many years. That's great bang for buck.
- Expect to pay more than one-box options – but a good one-box system can still cost you as much as an entry level separates home theatre
- A bit more of a learning curve – but operation will be second nature within a week or two
- They take up more space
What now?
No matter which category of home theatre you've settled on, there are some important issues to consider to get the most out of it.
Choosing home theatre: what else do I need to consider?
Your room will affect every aspect of your home theatre experience. Its size, shape and even the décor will influence the sound you hear and how powerful your amplifier and speakers will need to be.
Don't wait until you get your gear home and out of the box before thinking about how to set it up either. That's a sure way to end up with hours or even days of frustration.
Plan ahead and you'll have much better chances of getting the right gear and knowing what to do with it when you rip into the packaging. Better still, get us to install it for you.