Where do I start with a home theater system?


I have a 2 channel system. Ive never wanted a home theater system. Recently Ive decided to try it out, but I dont know where to begin. My stereo consist of a Mark Levinson #23 amp, a Classe DR-5 pre-amp, Theta DAC and transport, Yankee planars and Acoustat speakers, and other items. Being these items are old school can they be used in a home theater or should I start with everything new[up to date but not new]. I just brought a Panasonic 50" plasma television. Since I dont know if Ill like it I dont want to go real high end. Thanks for your help. Jim
jimikoby

Showing 1 response by baranowski

Yes, stereo sound with good external speakers is better than tv speakers. But what you get is stereo sound.Just running two speakers in the front will NOT give you a "theater" performance. There is information going to at least 5 speakers plus a subwoofer. If you do not have these speakers you do NOT get the sound of the movie.

Your question is about home theater.

What you need....

Two front speakers, These are your large speakers,

a center channel, # this is one of, if not the most important speaker# either get a third speaker of what you have or get a center channel from the same series and manufacturer, as your front two. So try to get the best one you can That matches the fronts.

two rear speakers, they can be smaller than the fronts.they do not HAVE to be from the same manufacturer but it is a good idea to stay with the same manufacturer and series of the others.

There is nothing wrong with using older speakers for surround sound. Or for that matter two channel, if you like the sound then keep them and same the money.

Subwoofer, Probably you second most important speaker after the center channel. This can be any manufacturer, There is a great deal of opions and information on choosing this speaker. Depending on your room and what you are looking to to get out of it.

Processor....
I do not know what your current equipment has as far as connections.

There are TWO ways of going about the processing of the movie soundtrack and for that matter music concert soundtracks. #This is where NEWER equipment is needed#

You can,
1# get a AV receiver #has amps in it# or a processor # no internal amps# to decode the particular disc you are using.

This is a good idea because you probably want "room correction" to get all of these speakers working well with one another.

In this case you plug in your Blu ray to this and IT decodes the material, you intern plug your tv into the processor or receiver.
you use the "preouts" to your amps, if this is avaible #on a receiver# or use the outs on the processor to your amps. There is more to this, but I just want to give you the basics.... You will still need a Blu ray player.

2) get a good blu ray player that has multipal outs. I would imagine you would use HDMI for your tv, so it need one of those. and outs to connect to your stereo pre amp.
These do not have "room correction" so you might be in for a long haul setting up all of your speakers...

I would recomend room correction. so get the newer processor or receiver.

Check out THX website for speaker and seating placement. Controling the light in the room will help a great deal even with a plasma.

If you would like to speak to me email me @ [email protected]