Soundbars offers more performance in a compact package and costs less to get up and running than a speaker system. You can even choose one with advanced features like Dolby Atmos and Wi-Fi streaming. Some soundbars offer an upgrade path, including optional subwoofers and rear speakers, which is a nice feature.

If you want to truly mix and match speakers, however, a AV receiver for you Unlike soundbars, receivers can support multiple sources including record players and FM radio with six or more HDMI inputs. You can start your system with just a few stereo speakersbut given that you can get a full 5.1 Klipsch system for under $500you really don’t have to wait.

Home theater systems are extremely complex, with many options and technical specifications to choose from. Here are the most important factors to consider.

Canals

An audio channel is a stream of data encoded at its source, such as music or a movie soundtrack. Music is often encoded with two channels, left and right, called stereo sound. These two channels play different and separate audio signals, giving you a soundstage. The latest movies and TV shows often have multiple channels of audio data — usually five channels and a subwoofer — encoded in their source material. If you’re looking for the full surround-sound experience, you’ll need more channels in your speakers or more speakers to support more channels.

Subwoofer integration

Designed to produce low-frequency sound, subwoofers add power and dimension to the sound of your home theater. Subwoofer integration is the process of using volume and signal processing to integrate the subwoofer into the existing system. Soundbar and subwoofer combos do this automatically, but AV receiver owners can use a calibration routine (or perform a manual calibration) to add a third-party sub.

relationship

You’ll want to think about your system’s connectivity to make sure all of your loose cables are functional. The most common analog audio connection is a pair of audio RCAs (the red and white connectors), while a digital coaxial (or digital coax) is the most common for digital audio. If you’re hoping for a wireless experience, many home theater systems come with Bluetooth or wireless connectivity options to cut down on wires. HDMI uses cables to transmit digital video and audio simultaneously. Make sure you know what types of connections your TV or projector supports before purchasing.

Dolby Atmos capability

Dolby Atmos is a technology that adds height channels to traditional stereo and mono audio formats to create a three-dimensional audio experience. The number of channels is expressed as xxx, where the first number is the surround channels, the second is the subwoofers, and the last is the top, for example, 5.1.2. If you’re looking for a more realistic and immersive audio experience, you’ll want to make sure your home theater system supports Dolby Atmos.