Choosing Audio For Your HDTV

If an image is worth a thousand words, what is the value of good sound to a sharp and fluid image?

So you just got a new HDTV but you didn’t expect it to sound just like your old set from yesteryear? Just like image quality, sound evolved in the past decade. Given the technology available to the mass market, it is easily feasible to bring that theater experience home and apply it not only to movies but also to broadcast programming.

But how to choose the appropriate equipment? There are two categories, Home Theater in a Box or separate components.

HTIB, as it is often referred to, is a usually less expensive and simpler approach. All the components are paired together by the manufacturer and come in a single package, hence the name. This is advantageous as they usually cost roughly 400 dollars for a decent unit that covers all the bases: five surround speakers, a sub-woofer, a receiver and all the necessary wiring. Some even incorporate a DVD player. On the downside, they often don’t have enough inputs to connect peripherals such as HD boxes, gaming consoles and others.

A more complex but rewarding alternative is to buy all the components separately. This will allow you to customize your home theater to your needs by considering your room size, accessories to hook up and also cost. A decent set will cost roughly 800 dollars or upwards, with no real limit. In this instance, you will need to buy a good receiver, a sub-woofer, a set of surround speakers and all the wiring. Don’t forget also a DVD player.