How Should I Budget My Home Theater?
Article summary
- Start your home theater journey with LCR (Left, Center, Right) speakers for a solid foundation.
- Consider adding a subwoofer or surround speakers next for enhanced sound immersion.
- Integrate rear surrounds or height speakers for advanced audio formats like Atmos.
- Complete your setup with additional elements like a second subwoofer for a fully realized soundscape.
- Enhance your audio-visual setup with the 1961 Subwoofer 1V, which delivers impressive bass performance.
The speaker purchases in your home theater can usually be broken into four stages.
Stage 1
For most people, it is best to start with the LCR or left/right/center channels. The left and right channels are important because they handle most of the musical scores and dynamic sounds like gunshots and explosions. The center channel is equally important because it anchors the majority of dialogue in films.
Stage 2
When you are ready, you can purchase (a) subwoofer(s) or side surround speakers. If you have tower speakers as your front left and right channels, or monitors with respectable bass extension, then you can focus on your surrounds. If your LCR are not particularly adequate at lower frequencies, we definitely recommend one of our subwoofers. The 1961 Subwoofer 1V in particular punches well above its weight class.
Stage 3
The next purchases are usually the rear surrounds and/or two height speakers for Atmos duties. While these speakers don’t need to be as dynamic as the LCR, it is important that they are timbre-matched for a cohesive sound.
Stage 4
Your final speaker purchases tend to be “the icing on the cake” like completing your height speaker layout, adding a second subwoofer, or even adding front wide speakers.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first speakers I should buy for my home theater?
Start with the LCR channels: left, right, and center speakers. They handle music and important sounds like dialogue and dynamic effects.
When should I get a subwoofer for my home theater?
Consider adding a subwoofer when you're ready to enhance the bass response, especially if your LCR speakers aren’t strong in lower frequencies. The 1961 Subwoofer 1V is a great choice.
What speakers come after the LCR and subwoofer?
The next step usually involves purchasing rear surrounds and/or height speakers for immersive sound, particularly if you're setting up an Atmos audio experience.
How important is timbre matching for surround speakers?
Timbre matching is crucial for surrounds to ensure a cohesive sound throughout your setup, even though they don’t need to be as dynamic as the LCR speakers.
What are the final speaker additions for a home theater?
Final purchases often include completing your height speaker setup, adding a second subwoofer, or incorporating front wide speakers to enhance your audio experience.
How many speakers should I plan for my home theater?
Start with three main LCR speakers, then progress to surround and height speakers as you build your system, depending on your space and sound preferences.
Why are center channel speakers important?
The center channel speaker anchors dialogue in films, ensuring clarity and balance in audio during viewing.
Can I mix different brands of speakers in my home theater?
While it's possible, for best results, stick to timbre-matched speakers across the front and surround channels to maintain consistent sound quality.
