What is it and What does it do?
A home theater system is a must have for anyone looking to enjoy the movie going experience in the comfort of their own home. Getting the best out of watching a good movie or sporting event goes way beyond what you see on the screen, but rather how you ‘feel’ the show through the audio experience. A home theater system provides crisp, clear, surround sound through an audio receiver and set of speakers that are well beyond your TV’s current capabilities.

Important Things to Know

• A home theater system will always consist of a set of speakers and an audio receiver, and will often times include a DVD player as well.
• Home theaters are distinguished by their wattage and ability to process and amplify multiple audio channels. For example, a 5.1 channel home theater will amplify sound for the 5 different listening areas; front right, front left, front center, rear right and rear left. The “.1” refers to an unamplified channel which feeds the low-frequency powered subwoofer.
• The most versatile home theaters will offer both DTS and Dolby Digital decoders. These are the two most popular decoders used by a home theater to decode sound formats that product 5.1 channels of surround sound.
• Fifty percent of the overall audio in a typical movie is carried through the center speaker, including dialog. This accounts for the wide variety in style and design of manufacturer’s center speakers, as each look to perfect this all-important listening area.
• The subwoofer is a low frequency effect (LFE) speaker that provides that powerful sensation that is felt as much as heard. The effects of the low frequency subwoofer really make the difference between just seeing and movie and feeling it. So power in a subwoofer is important, with many have high power models having 75-100 watt subwoofers.