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Surround Sound: Excellent Example of Electronic Evolution

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:42:17 +0000

No one had a clue during the early days of television the incredible impact that this device would have over people and their daily lives nearly a century later. I can hardly believe the difference between the television offerings of my childhood and the vast number of quality shows, channels, and information that is available by simply turning on the television. In addition to that, the quality of sound that can be achieved through the simple act of adding a receiver and surround sound speakers to your television is day and night when comparing before and after.I do not think for one second anyone could have possibly anticipated the global impact that televisions have introduced. Add to that the entertainment value and the fact that we are now using our televisions for much more than simply watching and you have opened up a whole new world of entertainment. Surround sound not only works wonders with movies and (some) television shows but is also an excellent enhancement for video games and even music. Televisions are also being used for more purposes now than ever before. With each generation of video game system there are new features added that require more from the televisions and speaker systems we spend so much of our time enjoying. From the days when people first gained the ability to check their email on their television sets, the technology seed has been planted for greater things to come. Each year new televisions and new surround sound and home theater systems hit the market with amazing success among consumers. We all want more sound, better pictures, and more functionality from a piece of technology that is not yet a century old. It’s amazing the progress that has been made already and the rapid rate at which this technology continues to evolve. Surround sound is only one example of the great possibilities that exist in the entertainment industry, it simply happens that this is one piece of the technology puzzle that enhances so many other of the things that we enjoy so much on a daily basis. From gaming to music to movies, all are enhanced by the technology and premium sound that a good surround sound system with high quality speakers can provide. When purchasing speakers for your surround sound system, be sure to make sure that they are THX certified in order to assure that you are getting top quality speakers for your surround sound system or home theater.You will find as you sort through the various surround sound systems in the market today that there are many options available to you. I hope that you will take the time to find the one that you like best and keep an open mind when you bring it into your home. It is important to remember that you may find the system doesn’t sound as good in your home as it did in the store (acoustics are going to be different). If this is the case with your system, make a note of the differences that you find troublesome, and return the kit to the store, then ask for recommendations on systems that might work better in your home. You should also include things like the size of the room, the types of walls and flooring you have (all of these things affect the acoustical quality of your room). Most importantly, make the most of the advances that technology has allowed and enjoy.

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Surround Sound: Upgradeable Surround Sound

admin — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:34:18 +0000

There are many great and not so great surround sound and home theater systems on the market today. With so many from which to choose how on earth do you know what to look for in order to get your money’s worth? The answer to that just might be easier than you have imagined. The thing to remember when it comes to technology is that it is constantly evolving. This means that it is in your best interest to find a surround sound or home theater system that is upgradeable. In fact, I would say that this alone would be my number one requirement when purchasing a home theater or surround sound system in today’s market. If you purchase an AV receiver that has room to expand as technology for sound advances then you have the foundation for building an even better system over time. If you can find a good deal on an AV receiver that is also THX certified then you are setting the stage for an outstanding system once you have everything in place.While speakers are extremely important you can buy the 5 speakers plus subwoofer that you will need for a 5.1 channel surround sound system at a reasonable price and make plans to purchase better speakers in time. You want to make certain that the speakers you buy are some that you can definitely live with as you save for even better speakers in the future but buying a set for now that has a decent quality of sound rather than stretching your budget for those that are better means that you can save your money and in time buy an even better set of speakers for your surround sound system or home theater.The really good news is the speakers you like today that are just out of your price range will be priced lower this time next year. Of course, there will be even better speakers on the market by that time. If you save your money over the course of the next year in a year you can upgrade to a far superior system even while you’ve been enjoying the system you currently own the entire time. Imagine how much more pleasure you will receive from your investment once you’ve made an upgrade?Another great thing to think about when it comes to upgrades is that they are not an all or nothing proposition. You can upgrade one piece at a time and never have to go without in order to achieve excellent sound quality that simply keeps getting better. While I know on one hand that sacrifice is good for the soul I’m never too thrilled about giving up things that bring me pleasure in order to get better things later. Doing things this way I get to have great sound while I’m saving for even better sound in the future. It’s like having your caking and your neighbors cake too!As you wander through the aisles of your local electronics store and check out all the options that are available be sure to take the time to look at things you will wish to make plans for in the future. Be sure that the components you buy today are in line with the things you’d like to add to your surround sound system in the future and don’t lose sight of the ultimate goal by overspending on a starter set.

Surround Sound: Budget Friendly Surround Sound

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:35:41 +0000

A good home theater and surround sound system for your movie enjoying pleasure is a rather large investment for the common movie buff-at least if you are purchasing a really high quality system for your home theater or media room. This isn’t to say that you cannot find decent surround sound systems for small spaces that come with much lower price tags than you will ordinarily find on the market. In fact, there are many ways in which you can buy a decent surround sound system for a small room even if you are limited by budget constraints.Second Hand SystemsBuying second hand from Ebay carries some degree of risk but a reputable seller is often a good place to start. There are some people who simply can’t stand to have technology that is 6 months or even 6 days for some matters, old. Their loss is your gain as you can score a really nice surround sound system, speakers included at amazingly low prices if the bidding works in your favor and you know a little about brands and quality. Pawnshops and electronics consignment stores are other good places to find bargains on this particular sort of equipment.Buy Boxed SetsI’m typically opposed to box sets when it comes to electronics as there have been many instances in the past where these were merely a method of pawning off inferior goods on an unsuspecting public. However, big names such as Bose have gone over to the dark side so to speak and are beginning to offer box sets of surround sound speakers at surprisingly and amazingly reasonable price tags. There are cheaper brands than Bose, don’t get me wrong, I use them as an indication of the wide variety and standards you will find in surround sound speaker systems that come in box sets today. The good news is that you can get really good prices on speaker systems such as this if you are willing to shop around.Compare PricesIt really does pay in this day and age to do just that. Even if you have a favorite retailer chances are that you could get a better price through them by doing a simple search online and looking for a lower advertised price. If not, it might be worth your while to go with the Internet provider this time and save your money for DVDs and music with which to enjoy your new surround sound system. I also recommend seeing what local competition has to offer; you’ll be amazed at some of the wonderful bargains you can find by walking into a store on any given day. I know that stores like Circuit City have great bargains on featured items during the week in order to boost sales. You never know when one of those items might be an outstanding surround sound systems or a phenomenal set of speakers.Wait it outIf you have your heart set on one surround sound system and nothing else will do, then it may be in your best interest to wait until the price drops. In electronics terms that often means waiting about 6 months or until the next consumer expo event (this is when all the new technology is introduced, which makes all the existing technology drop its prices in order to seem more appealing). Both of these options may seem unappealing but can mean very real and very significant savings on your part if you are willing to wait in order to get what you really want. Not only does this give you time for the prices to decrease but also for the size of your savings to increase.While shopping on a budget isn’t always the preferred method it is very possible to get a decent home theater or surround sound system for your home even if you are working within the limits of a seriously impaired budget.

Surround Sound: DIY Surround Sound

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 09:33:58 +0000

The debate of whether or not to install your own surround sound system has fallen on deaf ears and you have decided to tackle this delicate task for yourself. Good for you. The thing is you aren’t really too certain about where to actually begin this delicate procedure. At this point, I’m assuming that you have purchased either a home theater kit or surround sound system for your home and are preparing to begin the actual installation process. A good place to start is by reading the instructions and owners manual that most likely came with either the kit you purchased or each of the individual components.The thing to remember with a surround sound system is that nothing will work without the speakers and they will only work for their intended purpose if they are positioned properly. However, you need to make sure that the other components are in place before beginning to work with the speakers. I recommend, particularly if this is your first system that you go with a simple AV receiver, if you’ve already purchased a tuner, amplifier, and all that other great stuff it is no problem, just a little more involved as far as processes go. The installation of each of these devices is often as simple as finding a space for them and plugging everything into the proper slot. The good news is that most systems have the ’slots’ well labeled for just this purpose.Once you have the receiver hooked up you should begin placing speakers. If you went with the basic 5.1 channel surround sound system you should have 6 speakers including the subwoofer. This is a good system to begin with and (if you purchased your AV receiver wisely) will leave room for growth and expansion in the future. I will begin with instructions for the placement of the 6 speakers for a 5.1 channel system and expand those instructions to include the others later. With a basic 5.1 channel surround sound system you will have five speakers and one subwoofer. The placement of the speaker is important when it comes to placing the ambient sounds that are found in movies in the proper location in relation to the action onscreen. Three of the five speakers belong in the front. One speaker in the center and one each on the front left and right-the two remaining speakers belong behind you to the left and right (one left rear; one right rear). While this isn’t an overly complicated concept you’d be amazed at the number of people who have their surround sound systems improperly set up.With the 6.1 channel system you will move the rear left and right speakers to the side and place one speaker to the rear and in the center. If you then upgrade from a 6.1 to a 7.1 channel surround sound system you will move the speaker that is in the rear to either the left of the right and install the additional speaker on the opposite side and to the rear.If you are going to make the investment in a home theater or surround sound system please take the time to insure that the pieces and parts are properly located and installed in order to get your money’s worth out of the process. Now it’s time to sit back and enjoy your new sound system.

Surround Sound: Pieces Parts Components and Sound

admin — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:34:44 +0000

If you are in the market for a surround sound system I’m sure you are trying to learn as much as possible about options before you reach the buying stage. One thing to keep in mind is that there are many options and most of them will come down to a matter of taste when all is said and done. There is no right or wrong component or process when it comes to buying a surround sound system only what does and doesn’t work for you and the space you have available. You will find throughout the process that there are many parts, pieces, and components that you may purchase for your surround sound system and even more prices for those individual items. Ultimately the decision comes down to how much of a sound snob you are. Seriously. I must admit that my personal preference is for the most possible sound saturation and the most realistic possible sound as possible. For this reason I am more interested in buying the components as individuals rather than a simple AV receiver. This does not mean that an AV receiver wouldn’t be perfectly adequate (especially in relation to the size of my rather small media room) but that I prefer the added control over the sound that individual components provides.Unfortunately, I cannot tell you which will work best for your situation as your tastes and requirements will also play heavily on which decision is best for you as will your budget. Some people do not place nearly as much emphasis on sound as I do and most people have budget constraints that make individual components seem like a bit of overkill. However, if you spend, as much time as I do submersing yourself in experiences that require sound, then you will find that the investment in these components may be well worth every penny. You will pay a few though and should understand that now.If you want to build a fabulous surround sound system you will need to start with the preamp or processor. This will be the heart of your sound system and works as a surround processor, AM/FM radio, amplifier, and preamp in one. This piece of equipment receives the signals and then sends them on their merry way. Amazingly enough the information always seems to find its way where it should go-assuming of course that everything is plugged into its proper channel.The tuner allows you to receive and process AM/FM radio signals, XM or Satellite Radio, and some High Definition signals as well. The amplifier adds power to the sound or as its name implies, amplifies it. This allows the sound to ‘reach’ across the room so that everyone in the room is touched by it. These components each achieve functions individually that a good quality AV receiver can accomplish. The difference is always in degrees and depth. The AV receiver allows some of the functionality of each but doesn’t quite match the control and nuances that can be achieved with any one of the pieces individually. The average consumer doesn’t need that sizeable of an investment in equipment, money, time, or space in order to achieve excellent theater quality sound in their home theater system and that is the important thing to remember. If you are hoping to imitate a ‘theater’ experience in an average size room, chances are you will never need anything more than a decent AV receiver and an excellent set of speakers. The more speakers you have in your surround sound system, the better the quality of the sound will be. However, better quality speakers will trump marginal quality equipment any day while marginal quality speakers can still ruin the sound of even the best quality AV equipment. The best advice I can give you when purchasing equipment for your surround sound system is to make sure you put your money in your speakers and sort the rest out afterwards.

Surround Sound: Playing the Name Game

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:34:08 +0000

When it comes to speakers for your surround sound system there happen to be all kinds of models, makes, and brands on the market. You will find vast variations in quality and price among the multitudes. With so many from which to choose it is often difficult to know which brands are reputable, which represent good quality, and which are merely treading water when it comes to the wave of home theater and surround sound quality on the market today. We all have budget constraints however and for that reason some of us find that it is preferable to have a better quality of sound than merely watching the television or listening to the flat radio tunes coming from our existing home stereos. There happen to be some decent brands and makers of speakers in all price ranges. The quality will be distinctly different in lower price ranges than in the high end. I have a preference for Bose speakers. I find the sound created by these speakers is superior to other similar products and am perfectly willing to pay the price that comes along with this sort of quality. That being said, I have had the occasion to find some excellent bargains on Bose surround sound systems in the past quite by accident. If I can find those bargains (some as low as $500 for the set, which is a bargain when you consider the fact that some of their sets begin at $2,000) when not actively searching for a bargain, it is quite possible to get an excellent price when you are seeking just that.Everyone is different and tastes will vary greatly from one person to another. There are many other wonderful makers when it comes to surround sound systems that offer products that are ideal and provide excellent sound quality in small places. These are great for small budgets that happen to live in small apartments or have small media rooms in their homes. Logitech has some excellent surround sound systems that actually sell for less than $100. They also have systems that sell for considerably more. The best thing you can do is listen to systems in stores, then compare prices on the Internet for bargains among the brands you feel are within your budget and your tastes.Panasonic actually has a good 5.1 channel surround sound home theater that is very reasonably priced at around $350 (depending on where you are purchasing of course). It makes for a good basic home theater for the average family and that is what most of us require. Other great brands of surround sound speakers for an average sized room will include: JBL, which offers some basic speaker sets; Yamaha, which offers basic to mid-range quality speaker systems; KLH, which offers very basic budget friendly surround sound systems, and Athena Technologies, which has a pretty nice mid range surround sound system on the market at the moment. This of course is by no means an exhaustive list of choices on the market but a good place for budget aware shoppers to begin searching for their perfect surround sound set of speakers.While I mentioned some specific brand names in this article, it is important that you do not get caught up in the hype of the ‘name game’. There is much that can be said about having a good name in an industry but consumers often pay the price that is associated with that name when in the checkout line. I am a huge fan of Bose and realize that a large part of the sticker price I pay is for the brand of the name. This does not mean that there aren’t some excellent quality speakers on the market that will cost less and be made by manufacturers I’ve never heard of. Check for warranties and take a risk if you like the sound of a little known speaker company. You could have just discovered the company that will topple Bose from its comfortable spot at the top of my personal speaker-buying list.

Surround Sound: Speaker Quality Speaks Volumes

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 09:45:35 +0000

There are many pieces, parts, and components to a home theater system. One of the most important when it comes to achieving the overall ‘movie going’ experience is surround sound. While there are many pieces of equipment for the average home theater that can be purchased over time, surround sound is typically one component that needs to be purchased together if possible, at the very least it is wise to purchase the speakers as a set rather than mixing and matching quality and sounds. Just as the surround sound system is one of, if not the most important components in a good home theater system, the speakers are the most integral and important component of any decent surround sound system. You can skimp on some aspects of quality in amplifiers, receivers, and even tuners but if you skimp on the quality of your speakers it will not matter how much of an investment you’ve made in everything else because the sound will be inferior.People define their movie going experiences differently. For some, it is the smell of freshly popped popcorn that defines the experience and others find that the dark colors and the sweet smell of the syrup from the soda fountains is part of the experience (some things simply can’t be imitated easily at home). There are many however, who find that sound is what sets the theater apart from home movie viewing and the one thing that keeps them coming back despite the interruptions provided by other patrons with cell phones, hungry children, or frequent trips to the restrooms. The one thing that sets a theater apart for many people is one thing that we now have the technology to bring into our homes. Even better is the fact that the price tag on this particular technology is decreasing as competition, supply, demand, and technological advances increase. There is never too much to be said about how quickly the newness of electronics expires in order to be replaced by something newer and better next year. I remember a time when DVD players were priced well over $300 for the most basic of models. You can purchase them now for a mere $30 if you can find a decent sale and those models have more features than the originals. Can you imagine how little surround sound systems will be selling for an a few short years?We are already seeing significant price drops in the box systems that are being sold on the market today. Gone are the days when these systems were merely the off brands trying to generate some sells by offering a low price and questionable quality. The boxed surround sound systems of today are carrying well-known names as their brands and providing some pretty stiff competition to those who aren’t willing to offer the box sets when it comes to price. That being said, you will want to take the effort to listen to any system you are considering before you buy it. It takes no small investment of time and energy in order to set up a surround sound system and while there are no guarantees that a system will sound the same in your home or apartment as it sounds in the store having a clue as to any problems before getting it home and setting it up will save both time and money in the long run. If the speakers you buy aren’t adequate quality for the system you have purchased the sound will disappointing to say the least. My favorite scene for testing the sound quality of surround sound systems is the first 10 minutes of the movie Top Gun. Buy the DVD and take it with you whenever you try out systems for your home. If you find one set or system that blows you away with the quality of sound you should seriously consider that for your home theater and surround sound system.

Surround Sound: Surround Sound for Meager Budgets

admin — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:33:28 +0000

Buying a surround sound system or home theater on a budget doesn’t have to be mission impossible. In fact, it is quite easy to work with almost any budget when purchasing these systems in today’s marketplace. The thing you have to remember is that you do most often get what you pay for and the higher quality systems are going to cost more money. It is often difficult once you’ve experienced the difference in sound quality of the higher end surround sound systems to make the decision to purchase one that fits within lower budget requirements but you can get sound quality for a lower price and stay on budget if you shop very carefully.The first thing you need to do is set priorities. If you are looking for a surround system, then focus on that rather than flitting back and forth between home theaters and surround sound systems. You will do much better economically and quality wise to go with a surround sound system rather than a home theater in a box sort of kit in the same price range and the only major difference is that a home theater kit in a box often comes with a DVD player. The sacrifice usually lies in the speaker when you purchase a kit such as this for your home. You can not only save money by purchasing the surround sound system as a stand alone system you can get better quality in both the sound system and the DVD/DVR if you purchase them separately rather than together. You can find speakers and components for surround systems in all kinds of price ranges. You want to make sure that if you are purchasing a box set for your surround sound system that it has all the parts and components you will need in order to get theater quality sound. These sets and systems can be found at amazing prices in large retail chains around the country. If you are willing to wait for sales you can even get better prices on them. Set a budget before you begin shopping however and do not allow yourself to be talked into something that is outside your budget. There will always be temptations to spend more when it comes to electronics. That bigger screen, the larger subwoofer, the better amplifier-there’s always one more temptation to get your dollars. The thing you must be prepared for is not only to try to get the best quality and greatest functionality for the least amount of money but also to stay within a certain budget limit in order to accomplish your goal. If you overspend now, it will result in delays for upgrades or additions later on.Another thing you can do in order to stay within budget is to purchase a 5.1 surround sound system with 6 speakers (5 plus the subwoofer) that can expand to a 7.1 speakers with the addition of speakers over time. This allows you to expand and improve your system in time but gives you a good starting point, provided that you have good quality speakers. There really isn’t enough that can be said about the budget friendliness of a system that can be upgraded and expanded over time. If you get a nice base system it is possible that you will be able to change the speakers over time as your budget becomes more flexible and electronics friendly (you will need to check and make sure as to matters of compatibility however). Despite the high price of many surround sound and home theater systems, it is quite possible to own a system of your very own and greatly enhance your home television viewing and sound experience greatly without going to debtor’s prison on the process. Take the time to compare prices, learn what you absolutely need and what you can live without, and start small, then build up to a better system rather than going into the buying process with an all or nothing attitude. You just might find that you have a far superior system over time with half the investment others have made in theirs.

Surround Sound: Surround Sound Gaming Blows the Competition Away

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:33:50 +0000

In the worldwide realm of online gaming surround sound is becoming an important tool for obtaining and maintaining an edge over the competition. Sound provides important clues to things that are taking place around us, this is no different in the cyber world and made possible through the use of emerging technologies and the copious use of surround sound technology and equipment. The good news for gamers is that you do not have to have a computer room or home office that is filled with speakers and surround sound equipment. If your computer has a sound card that is set up for surround sound, there are plenty of headphones on the market that support this sort of sound setup. In fact, this is becoming a growing industry in the realm of computer gaming and simply increasing the quality of sound as computers are more and more often used as media centers rather than mere portals to the World Wide Web and all ports of call in between. We are demanding more and more from our personal computers today than ever before and savvy professionals are consistently creating software and hardware that meets our growing demands. Video and sound cards that support real time gaming action and better than real life quality sound are certainly only a few of the ways in which computer technology is improving at the speed of light and yet they are often the points where that evolution is most noticeable. It’s nearly impossible to tell whether or not the rate at which computers are evolving is the hardware makers trying to keep pace with the software creators or the other way around. Either way it means more realistic and action oriented, real-time games are hitting the market without bogging down the systems or overtaxing the technology that is currently in place, provided of course that you are upgrading at least every two years in order to keep pace with emerging technologies.If you haven’t checked out some of the top of the line PCs of today you really should check out all they can do. Don’t go to your local Wal-mart and see the best of their best, as it is not going to be a good indicator of superior quality computing. You should instead go with online companies such as Alienware and check out their top systems. The functionality and speed at which these systems operate is simply staggering. The lowest end laptop that they offer can outperform my home PC on any given Sunday and probably with one processor tied behind its back. Add to this type of functionality the addition of surround sound and you have a system that is well worth drooling over (not that I would drool-ever). Regardless of whether you are easily impressed by technology it is quite difficult not to be impressed by the rate at which the technology of sound is improving-particularly when it comes to surround sound systems that are available for both home theaters and computers in the market of today. Whether you use your personal computer for gaming or media viewing and manipulation there is a lot of entertainment that a good sound card (with surround capabilities) and a nice set of surround sound headphones can add to your overall sound experience. Check out the options on the market today and compare them with what is in your computer at the moment. You just may be blown away by the competition.

Surround Sound: Why Surround Sound?

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:36:17 +0000

If you are one of the many people around the world who hasn’t yet switched to surround sound or a home theater system of some sort you may be wondering what the big fuss is all about. Can it really make that much of a difference to watching the television? The answer to that is that unless you have difficulties with your hearing, surround sound can make a marked impact on your overall movie viewing, computer gaming, and music listening experience. There is nothing like being in the center of the action and surround sound puts you in just that spot. You can hear the sounds the victim hears in your favorite crime drama from the same direction from which she hears those same sounds. You are literally in the middle of the action right along with her. Your heart will beat right along with subwoofer as anticipation builds (courtesy once again of the surround sound system) in your favorite suspense thriller. It’s almost indescribably the way in which surround sound enriches the movie watching experience for even the most casual of movie watchers.I will be the first to admit that I’m notorious for knitting or reading while watching television or movies and only looking up when something captures my attention-generally something I heard or a flash on the screen. This means that sound actually makes me pay attention to what is going on in the movies that I am listening to. I have noticed a marked difference in my interest in movies and television shows since adding surround sound to our home theater system. More and more often I am noticing that scarves and such take twice as long to accomplish and I blame it entirely on the superior sound that is part and parcel to our surround sound system.You may not be someone who watches all that much television or even that goes to the movies all that often. If computer games happen to be your thing then you are going to love what surround sound can do for you. In case you’ve forgotten that little bit about it placing you in the center of the action, this works wonders in game and provides important hints to you as to what is going on around you. You can hear the bad guys (or merely the other side) as they attempt to sneak up on you and know where they are coming from. You can hear the hoof beats in the distance or hear the fires burning in barrels off to your left. You can hear the starships flying by as if you were right next to them in the middle of it all. It’s truly an amazing boost to game reality and to the fun of gaming.For music lovers, you can feel as though you were sitting right in front of the orchestra or on the front row at a concert for your favorite band. If you are playing music that is recorded live you will really enjoy the feeling of being in the middle of the crowd without the smoke and other fumes that might otherwise detract from your good time. Whether your first love is video, movies, games, or music surround sound has a way to make each of those experiences even more enjoyable in the comfort of your home.