The quality of your speakers can significantly impact your audio or video experience. It's advisable to test them in a store before purchasing. If you're going to invest heavily in any part of your system, the speakers should be your priority.
Even the most advanced audio or video components can disappoint if paired with substandard speakers. High-quality speakers don't necessarily have to be expensive, although it's easy to spend a considerable amount on them. For a home theater system, you can start with two or three speakers and gradually add more as your needs and budget allow. Remember, the size of a speaker doesn't necessarily reflect its quality.
There are hundreds of speaker brands available, including major names like Altec, Bose, JBL, KLH, Pioneer, Polk Audio, RCA, Sony, and Yamaha. Speakers are sold through mass merchandisers, audio/video stores, and boutique retailers. You can also purchase them online, but be prepared for shipping charges of up to $100 due to their weight.
Speakers are sold in pairs for traditional stereo setups, and individually or in sets of three to six for home theater systems. To maintain a balanced system, it's advisable to buy left and right speakers in pairs. The center-channel speaker should match the front speakers, and for the best sound, the rear speakers should also have a similar sound to the front speakers.
These are among the smallest speakers, but many are still too large to fit on a typical bookshelf. A pair of these can serve as the sole speakers in a stereo system or as the front or rear duo in a home-theater setup. They have improved significantly in their ability to handle deep bass without distortion. Price range: $100 to over $800.
These large speakers, typically about 3 to 4 feet tall, can serve as the sole speakers in a stereo system or as the front pair in a home-theater system. Their large cabinets can produce deeper bass than smaller speakers. Price range: $300 to over $1,000.
In a multichannel setup, the center-channel speaker sits on or below the TV. Its sound should be similar to the front pair so all three blend well. Price range: $100 to over $500.
Rear speakers in a multichannel setup carry mostly background sound. They tend to be small and light so they can be wall mounted or placed on a shelf. Price range: $100 to over $500.
Three-piece sets combine two bookshelf or satellite speakers with either a center-channel speaker or a subwoofer for bass. Price range: $300 to $800. Six-piece sets include four satellites, one center-channel speaker, and a subwoofer. Price range: $400 to over $1,000.
If you enjoy loud sound, pay attention to a speaker’s measured impedance, which affects how well the speaker and receiver interact. Power range refers to the advertised watts per channel. The wattage within a matched pair, front or rear, should be identical.
Consider the size of the speakers and how they'll fit in your room. Focus on accuracy, not advertising. The most critical attribute of any speaker is accuracy--the ability to reproduce sound frequencies without over or under-emphasizing any part of the audio range.
Listen for the differences. Even speakers with comparable accuracy scores can sound quite different. There’s no substitute for hearing speakers, so bring a CD with a familiar piece of music to the store.
Check the impedance. If you like to play music loudly, make sure your receiver is rated to handle the impedance of the front speaker pair.
For the latest information on speakers and many other products and services, visit Consumer Reports. Find more speakers with Easy Deal at ShopNdeal.
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