The Best Home Theater Systems

HOW TO CHOOSE = Experts agree that the best home theater systems use 5 to 7 properly placed speakers, and don’t rely on the sound provided by even the best HDTVs. You can assemble a home theater system (including receiver, Blu-ray or DVD player screen and speakers) yourself, but buying everything in one kit simplifies selection and set-up.

Component-base systems generally provide better audio quality, along with greater flexibility and easier upgrades, than integrated systems. Integrated systems are typically more stylish, easier to set up, and cheaper than component-based systems.

If you’re not someone who can easily distinguish between the levels of audio performance, and not someone who looks to get the newest gadget as soon as it comes out on the market, the integrated systems will be fine for quality and won’t be as hard on your budget.

Typically, larger speakers perform better than small speakers. Again the difference is hard to perceive unless you are really into the sound thing. Personally, I think being able to conceal the speakers is very cool.

The more audio channels you get (5.1 or 7.1) the more convincing your “surround sound” sensation will be. The 5 or the 7 tells you the number of satellite speakers, and the 1 is for the subwoofer.

The disadvantage to this is that it requires more space, and your room may not be large enough to do 7 speakers properly.

THE REVIEW = Of the Best Home Theater Systems, the Onkyo HT-S6100 got the top ratings. It’s a 7.1 channel system, with an automatic speaker setup system, making it easy to create a good surround sound field.

There are plenty of connections for extra components. Reviewers agreed that this system balances performance and price better than other systems. The list price for the audio system is around $600 – not including a DVD player or screen.

Other top performers include:

Best Integrated System up to 300 sq. ft. = Samsung HT-TZ512T @ $365.

Best No-frills Integrated System = Samsung HT-Z310T @ $195.

Best Discrete HTIB with Tiny Speakers = Sony DAV-IS10 @ about $500.

Best price found in Dec., ’09 and again in June, '10 = TigerDirect.com for the Sony system.

All other models had the best price at Amazon.com.

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