Home Audio
Types of home theater systems
Home-theater packages include a receiver that can decode digital-audio soundtracks and five to seven compact speakers—two front, one center, two to four surround speakers for the rear—plus a subwoofer for deep bass sounds. All have been matched for sound, eliminating effort on your part. Some types of Home Theater in a Box systems have wireless surround speakers or speakers with flat styling to complement a flat-panel TV. These boxed systems come with all the cables and wiring you need to connect the speakers, usually color-coded or labeled for easy setup.
Integrated systems
Many home-theater systems include a progressive-scan DVD player, and some newer models include a Blu-ray player. The player might either be built into the receiver or be a separate component. Systems that integrate the DVD player and the receiver in one box tend to offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections than those that have two separate components. Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but they might not allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Some systems bundle in a VCR as well.
Separate components
Some consumers already have a DVD or Blu-ray player or simply prefer to keep the receiver and player separate. This choice offers more functionality and more connection options. These units are not as easy to set up, but they might allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Also, because each device has its own controls, they tend to be somewhat easier to use than an integrated device..
Sound bars
If you want a simple way to enhance your TV’s sound without going to the trouble of assembling a full surround-sound system, you might be interested in sound bars. These are thin bars, sometimes about 40 inches long, that hang on the wall or sit on a shelf very near to the TV. The bars contain two to five speakers in a single enclosure, and some connect to a separate subwoofer. The advantage is that you can connect a sound bar directly to your TV, without using a receiver, and you’ll have few wires to deal with—and none that must run to the rear of the room. Speaker arrangement or electronic techniques are used to provide multichannel sound or to emulate surround sound.
Source - ConsumerReports.com
Home-theater packages include a receiver that can decode digital-audio soundtracks and five to seven compact speakers—two front, one center, two to four surround speakers for the rear—plus a subwoofer for deep bass sounds. All have been matched for sound, eliminating effort on your part. Some types of Home Theater in a Box systems have wireless surround speakers or speakers with flat styling to complement a flat-panel TV. These boxed systems come with all the cables and wiring you need to connect the speakers, usually color-coded or labeled for easy setup.
Integrated systems
Many home-theater systems include a progressive-scan DVD player, and some newer models include a Blu-ray player. The player might either be built into the receiver or be a separate component. Systems that integrate the DVD player and the receiver in one box tend to offer a bit less functionality and fewer connections than those that have two separate components. Integrated units are somewhat simpler to set up, but they might not allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Some systems bundle in a VCR as well.
Separate components
Some consumers already have a DVD or Blu-ray player or simply prefer to keep the receiver and player separate. This choice offers more functionality and more connection options. These units are not as easy to set up, but they might allow you to connect video devices other than a TV to the receiver. Also, because each device has its own controls, they tend to be somewhat easier to use than an integrated device..
Sound bars
If you want a simple way to enhance your TV’s sound without going to the trouble of assembling a full surround-sound system, you might be interested in sound bars. These are thin bars, sometimes about 40 inches long, that hang on the wall or sit on a shelf very near to the TV. The bars contain two to five speakers in a single enclosure, and some connect to a separate subwoofer. The advantage is that you can connect a sound bar directly to your TV, without using a receiver, and you’ll have few wires to deal with—and none that must run to the rear of the room. Speaker arrangement or electronic techniques are used to provide multichannel sound or to emulate surround sound.
Source - ConsumerReports.com