what to know about setting up a home audio systemWho among us doesn’t want the dream home audio system? Whether you love listening to music and having it flow effortlessly through your home at a high-quality level, or you’re a TV and movie fan, a home audio system can be pretty desirable.

Even if you’re not a tech expert, it is possible for you to install your own audio system and give your next Netflix binge a boost. From the right primary equipment to the audio cables you’ll need, there’s a lot to consider and below are some general tips you can follow to help you get started.

The Primary Components

There are a lot of different bells and whistles and various tech accessories you can ultimately add, but in the beginning, the core components of a home stereo system include your receiver or amplifier, your speakers, and a music or sound source.

Of course, this can vary slightly depending on your needs, for example, whether your primary goal is to watch movies as if you’re in the theater or to listen to music, but ultimately these three pieces of equipment are always in a home audio system.

The Receiver

Receivers in today’s tech world are so much more advanced than most of us could have imagined even just a few years ago. They have great technology and cool features that make them a fun purchase.

There are two overarching receiver categories which are Stereo and A/V. A lot of stereo receivers have the traditional AM/FM options and then features such as XM radio capability.

A/V receivers are more for home theaters, and they have functionality such as surround-sound, digital audio and video processing, and network audio and video support options.

Media Room Speakers

If you’re doing the sound for a media room where you’re most likely going to be spending your time watching TV and movies, you’ll need some various speakers.

You would likely have speakers that include a center channel loudspeaker as well as a front left and right loudspeaker, placed on either side of the TV. You would also probably include a couple of rear surround sound speakers, and a subwoofer can go somewhere in the room.

If you’re doing an entire-home audio system and you’re just building or remodeling your home you can do in-wall and ceiling speakers. However, if you need aftermarket options, most people opt for wireless speakers that are multi-room. Some people even choose a wireless system in a new home because of the advantages it offers.

If you choose certain amps, you can then have that be your centralized audio source, and then you can add other components as you choose throughout your home.

To make a multi-room home audio system work, you’ll also need a few additional elements including a speaker selector or volume controls. Some people opt to separate their home audio system from their home theater sound system because it tends to provide the best sound quality and it’s simplest.

These are just a few of the initial things to consider if you want a great home audio sound, and then once you get the basics, you can build on your system and customize it to your needs and preferences.