{"id":4860,"date":"2023-02-02T04:47:50","date_gmt":"2023-02-02T04:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/talkinmusic.com\/?p=4860"},"modified":"2023-02-03T05:50:58","modified_gmt":"2023-02-03T05:50:58","slug":"multi-channel-home-theater","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talkinmusic.com\/multi-channel-home-theater\/","title":{"rendered":"Multi-Channel Home Theater – Complete Guide (2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\"Home-cinema-2330886<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s incredible how far technology has gone to be able to offer us an amazing experience in audiovisual entertainment in the comfort of our homes, this includes big high-definition TVs and heart-pumping sound systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are one of those people that love to enjoy their favorite albums, movies, and TV shows at home, then you probably have a decent sound system in your living room, but if you want to take it a step further by building your own multi-channel home theater<\/a> then you might need some help, as there are a lot of tiny details that come with this transformation that can greatly improve your experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Suppose you really care about sound quality and having a theater-like experience in your home. In that case, this guide will be very useful to you, as we will go through every type of multi-channel home theater and parts you need in order to build the best setup you can so that you can enjoy an immersive experience with music, gaming, and movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Makes a Multi-Channel Home Theater System?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You may be wondering how many parts are needed to really make a multi-channel home theater system, well it essentially involves the speakers an AV receiver, a source, and a display device (TV), and of course, you need all the necessary cables and wires in order to get everything set up nicely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can either get a package that gets you everything at once, which is the easier way and in most cases the cheaper way to get a multi-channel home theater system, or you can purchase the parts separately and build it yourself, which may be a bit more complicated but you will have more control of each part of the system, for example, if you want higher quality with the sound than the TV you can get the parts accordingly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to help you get a better idea of each part needed, let\u2019s go over some of the details, that way you\u2019ll know exactly what\u2019s going on with every function, and even help you make your experience better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speakers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The speakers are in a constant battle with the display to see which one is the most important, for it\u2019s the sound that gets you immersed and surrounds you the same way a movie theater does, but for others is that perfect TV that lets you enjoy every minor detail when you watch anything in your living room, but, regardless of which one is the most important for you, both are important in order to deliver an experience that will make you want to stay at home and invite your friends rather than going to a movie theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The standard multi-channel speaker set involves 5 speakers, two on each side, one in the center, and surround speakers, but a lot of people also enjoy having a subwoofer in order to get the sound quality even better, improving the bass and overall lower frequencies, which gives the sound that feeling you get at clubs and movie theaters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some systems that come with a soundbar, which is a lot easier to set up and already includes stereo multi-channel audio in one speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, if you are looking for speakers and find yourself clouded in doubt after finding out there are 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1, then let\u2019s make those doubts go away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s actually very simple, 5.1 speakers include 5 speakers and 1 subwoofer, 3.1 speakers only come with the side speakers and the ones in the center, while 7.1 systems come with all the 5.1 has to offer, plus an extra pair of surround speakers. There are other ways to have your sound set up, so it\u2019s up to you if you want to customize it and have less common layouts such as 9.1 or 7.2, just keep in mind not to get too crazy and loud if your home is not suited for that kind of power, but don\u2019t worry we will get to that in a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Display <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you want a multi-channel home theater, it\u2019s obvious you will need a device that lets you watch whatever you want right? Well, you have two main options, you could get a projector or a TV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a room that is clearly conditioned to be \u201cmovie theater-like\u201d then you would benefit a lot from a projector. But if you want the best home experience in your living room, then you\u2019ll do better with a good high-definition TV with a size that fits the size of the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Still, it\u2019s all up to preference so you can choose whatever you want, as long as you are happy with the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Source<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need a source that can support the sound system you have set up, otherwise, you won\u2019t be making use of all the speakers you have. By source, we mean the device or platform you\u2019re using to watch movies or play games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully online streaming platforms now support all kinds of multi-channel audio, and consoles such as the PS5 and XBOX Series X both support 5.1 and 7.1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most Blu-ray discs also support 5.1 and a lot of the most recent releases also support other types of audio.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AV Receiver<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You need to remember that you also need an AVR (audio-video receiver) along with your speakers in order to make it all work, this will be the system\u2019s central unit. The unit is also called AV preamp or AV power amp, as its function is all about processing the audio tracks and powering all the speaker units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The type you\u2019ll need will depend on the home theater system you want which changes from person to person. The things you need to keep in mind are the speaker wattages and required amplification power, along with a few other things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to the price of an AVR, it depends on how big your setup is going to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cables and Speaker Wires<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most of the time you won\u2019t need to worry too much about this since you have everything you need in the box, however, you need to keep in mind that if you want to customize your layout or you are dealing with longer distances than usual, you need to get the necessary wires and interconnects to have everything set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Multi-Channel Home Theater Systems Types?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"Audio-gf0403330e<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

There are different categories of systems depending on the setup, mostly categorized depending on the number of speakers that are included in that system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are classified by two numbers, the number before the decimal is the number of satellite units and the one after the decimal is the number of subwoofers the system has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Virtual Surround Systems and 2.0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In this category we will be covering the sound systems that don\u2019t have dedicated speakers for every channel, instead, these replicate the same type of effect with only 2.1 and 3.1 and also the most basic stereo system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.0 Systems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is the most barebones system you can get and it only includes two speakers or a sound bar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will probably not get a close experience to a movie theater like this, but you will definitely get a lot higher quality of audio than the TV sound, so even if these don\u2019t even support a subwoofer, they can be a big step up from the standard TV audio, and it\u2019s also a good idea for bedroom sound systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2.1 Systems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This is basically the same as the previous one with one big difference, it has a subwoofer, which will make a significant difference when it comes to bass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another advantage over the 2.0 systems is that these can replicate the 5.1 systems’ sounds, and even if it won\u2019t be the same, it gets quite close to a true surround sound experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3.1 Systems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

These sound systems have the usual right and left speakers but also have a center speaker with a subwoofer. With 3.1 you will really start to feel that immersive sound that you\u2019re expecting with a multi-channel home theater.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

True Surround Systems<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This category includes systems that have at least one speaker for each channel specifically, which would include large home theater systems like 5.1 multi-channel sound systems and larger ones such as 7.1, 10.2, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are the ones that will give you the theater experience with true surround, so if you want that type of experience, this is where you should be looking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5.1 Systems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you want the most common setup you should get the 5.1, which is also a middle ground between a budget option and more expensive ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These systems have five channels and a subwoofer, so you would get the right and left speakers and the center channels, but you would also get two surround speakers which take things to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The surround speakers are placed on the rear side, and they provide that sense of movie theater feeling that you would want in your house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most sources like consoles, DVDs, Blu-Ray players, and streaming services support 5.1 so you\u2019ll enjoy an amazing quality sound with any form of entertainment you want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6.1 Systems<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you want to go beyond the standard layout, you can slightly upgrade the 5.1 to 6.1, with an extra surround back speaker that is placed right at the center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s mostly the same as the 5.1 in every way but this extra speaker will give you a lot more definition which is especially good for listening to music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7.1 System<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As we mentioned earlier, this is another popular configuration, and it\u2019s probably the best thing before the best thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10.2 System<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you want the best of the best, this configuration will not disappoint, but keep in mind that this is really going to be close to the movie theater experience so make sure you have a room that can take all that sound without getting noise complaints or anything like that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are The Best Multi-Channel Home Theaters?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you want to get a full package and set up that nice sound in your home then we will help you find the best options in the market today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polk Audio 5.1 Channel Home Theater System<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"81cuq64hfrl\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

This is a great option for people looking for high-end quality audio, so if you want to get the best of the best, you should consider this amazing choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This system has a peak power of around 800 watts, includes a bookshelf, and has tower speaker types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has amazing audio quality, and great versatility when it comes to frequencies and it comes with a long 5-year warranty so you don\u2019t have to worry about small issues with your purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only downside for some people is that the peak power could be higher when you consider the price, but it\u2019s not a deal breaker by any means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TCL Alto 9+ 3.1<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"720x480-alto9<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you are looking for something cheaper but still maintaining a good level of quality then this is a great choice for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While it has a simple design with a soundbar and a subwoofer, you will find that the audio quality is impressive, especially if you want great sound for smaller rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another good quality is that it\u2019s a wireless system that helps make everything look good and easy to set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a very affordable multi-channel home theater and it will definitely be a good value for the price, however, we don\u2019t recommend this one if you want to have a good sound for a big room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Klipsch Reference R-26FA 7.1<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Going back to the high-end stuff, it\u2019s this beast of a sound system, with a 7.1 channel and 2 Dolby Atmos R-26FA floor-standing speakers 2 bookshelf R-14M 4\u201d surround speakers, an R-52C 4002 two-way center channel speaker, and an R12SW 12\u201d 400w all-digital powered subwoofer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the opposite of the previous option, you\u2019ll need a good amount of space and time to set this one up, but trust us, it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The weak spot in this system is the volume level, which can be a serious issue if you are using it in a large room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another issue with the volume is that when it gets to high levels, it can get a bit too bright, but not enough to make it sound unpleasant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have the budget for a high-end system but are just getting started on your journey  upgrading the sound of your living room, then this is a great option for you<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Logitech Z906 5.1 Sound Speaker System<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"71lnvclccyl\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Another good recommendation for a well-priced theater system is the Logitech Z906 5.1. It\u2019s very reliable, it has a good design that allows for a fair price, Dolby Digital Ex, and DTS surround sound technology. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be able to get the most out of this option if you are planning to set it up in a small room, otherwise, you might not be able to enjoy the best sound this system has to offer. Another small con this system has is that there is no HDMI port to be found, nor WiFi or Bluetooth functionalities which can be a deal breaker for some people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other than that, you get a great package at a great price for this system, with a focus on crystal clear highs and mids, even though it may lack a bit with the lower frequencies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"Design-medium\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

If you really want to have a 7.1 system but you can\u2019t afford most of them, there might still be a chance for you if you check out the Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro 7.1.4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is not the best by any means if you compare it with other more expensive options, but you will definitely get great quality for its price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best aspects of this home theater system is its soundbar, this 45\u201d, 5-channel soundbar definitely allows for an amazing experience that is backed up by 7 speakers as usual for 7.1 systems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This might not be the best-looking one or have the best Atmos performance but you can\u2019t go wrong with this one. If you\u2019ve never heard of Nakamichi, they also won an award because of the great quality of their soundbar, getting the upper hand against more popular brands such as Sony and Samsung.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

VIZIO SB36514-G6 36\u201d 5.1.4 Premium Home Theater Sound System with Dolby Atmos and Wireless Subwoofer<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"315naq1wk3l.<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Vizio will offer high-end products with amazing quality, not only in the sound department but also with TVs, and more, however for now we are going to stick with soundbars and multi-channel home theater systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This system is great for people who are looking for something different that can bring both looks and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a 5.1 with a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer which can make things a lot easier when looking for space to set it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the best aspects of this package is how good it looks, it has a very clean and classy design that will definitely make your house look better. Even if that is not the most important thing when looking to set up a multi-channel home theater, but still, there are a lot of people out there that consider style and looks to be very important for their homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from that, you\u2019ll have Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital X at your home, with an incredible cinematic experience that will make you want to stay home more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On top of all these features, you\u2019ll have quite a few options when it comes to connectivity, with Chromecast support, Wi-Fi, and HDMI to USB.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All of these things make this option one of the best among high-end systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harman Kardon Hkts 16BQ 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"S-l500\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

It\u2019s very hard to decide which one is the best of them all since people have different preferences and the space acoustics also affect the quality of audio, however, when it comes to raw quality and specs, Harman Kardon will give you some of the best audio you can get, simple as that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s very hard to find something bad aside from the price (even though you do get what you pay for), and the slightly less stylish design than VIZIO\u2019s models, so let\u2019s get into some of the best things about this system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surround sound will meet every possible expectation you have and go even beyond, thanks to the amazing sound quality and spectacular subwoofer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This subwoofer has the kick of movie theaters, so you\u2019ll be able to match that feeling in your body that makes you want to jump.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also if you want to use this multi-channel home theater in a big room, you can upgrade it to 7.1 so that you can have enough power, but if you find that the room you\u2019re in doesn\u2019t need it then don\u2019t 5.1 is enough for a living room or a small theater room <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enclave CineHome II 5.1 Wireless Home Theater Surround Sound System<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n
\n
\"51o69hxp6dl\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Cables, nobody likes them but they fulfill one of the most important tasks in our modern world, but, there is also a little word that makes some people cheer \u201cwireless\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It looks quite stylish and it also has crisp clear quality. You can also add another subwoofer if you want, although that is not necessarily a good thing because the one subwoofer it has, doesn\u2019t offer as much power as other options on this list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other downside is that every single speaker needs a power source, but that is not the worst thing in the world considering all the great things it has to offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros and Cons of Having a Multi-Channel Home Theater<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are still trying to make up your mind whether you want a multi-channel home theater or not, you may need some help seeing everything clearly, in other words, the pros and cons of having a powerful sound system in the comfort of your home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros<\/h3>\n\n\n\n