Intro to home theater speakers

How to build an awesome surround sound system

Iam a self-proclaimed sci-fi nerd. Give me a space movie or anything with dinosaurs and I become captivated — especially when I can take in a flick on my home theater system. Watching a movie in surround sound puts me right in the thick of the space battle or Tyrannosaurus rex chase. It’s so much fun!

My goal is to help you enjoy the same sense of fun and adventure with your surround sound system. This guide walks you through the key factors to consider while you’re planning your home theater.

How do you match speakers to your room?

The first thing to consider as you’re designing your surround system is the room itself.

How big of a space do you have? A large, open living room with vaulted ceilings needs different gear than a small- or medium-sized room with 8’ ceilings.

Another consideration is what else you’ll be using the room for.

Is this the family room where the kids play? Then you might want speakers mounted to the wall that are out of the way. 

On the other hand, if this is a dedicated theater room, floor-standing speakers (or speakers on stands) aren’t likely to pose a hazard to pets or kids.

Where will your speakers sound their best?

Consider the layout and shape of your room. Where will the speakers look and sound the best?

My article on speaker placement has detailed recommendations for mapping out your system.

Compact speakers offer unobtrusive placement options

Is this system going in the family or living room?

If the TV and sound system won’t always be the center of attention, think small. Compact speakers easily blend into your décor and leave plenty of room for other activities.