Home Audio Speakers

Home audio speakers are all the rage these days. Initially, they were only for the rich and famous, but at last, they are affordable for just about every family. In fact, you can find theater systems of reasonable quality for less than $100.

These systems are easy to install and will let you and your guests enjoy more dynamic sound from television shows, movies, and music. There are several home audio speaker systems available for sale on the market.

Before you decide on the system that is right for you, there is a bit of research you should do in advance. You will want to consider overall budget, speaker design, size, placement, and brand. This planning will help to eliminate any problems you may have when it comes to speaker installation, and ensure that you are purchasing a sound system that you will continue to enjoy for years to come.

Budget

The first step requires that you be reasonable about your budget. A nice sound system is a luxury that adds value to your home, but you don’t want to overspend if your finances are tight. Your aim should be to find the best home audio speakers within your price range.

At one end of the spectrum are high end home audio speakers. These systems tend to include at least five magnetically shielded speaker arrays, as well as a primary channel speaker and bass unit. They use the newest sound technology to increase the depth and clarity of your listening experience. Most high-end systems retail for $1,000-$2,000.

If you shop around online or in stores, you may find a good deal on discount home audio speakers. You will still find brands you trust, but by selecting the second or third newest model rather than the system that has just been released, you will get a significant price break. Expect to spend somewhere between $750 and $1,200.

Perhaps you are outfitting your first home or apartment, and what you really need are cheap home audio speakers. Don’t despair – you can find sound system solutions in the $100-$500 range as well. These systems tend to include fewer speakers, are made from less durable materials, and they may not carry the warranty that you’d expect with high-end electronics, but they will still give you a great audio setup for your space.

One last option for the especially thrifty or frugal shopper is to seek out used home audio speakers. You aren’t likely to find a fully functional set of speakers at a garage sale, but you can browse through gently used electronics on eBay or craigslist. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable seller, and if possible, go listen to the audio system before finalizing your sale.

Style & Placement

If you have decided to get digital audio home speakers for your residence, be sure to consider the aesthetics of the available systems. After all, they are not only functional, but can add style and atmosphere to your home décor. Whether the style of your room is modern, traditional, or even art deco, there are styles that will fit perfectly. The style and size of your speakers should also contribute to your home audio speaker placement. This is key, as it will determine where you should position each component to achieve the very best sound without crowding the overall design of the room. After all, you want to be able to enjoy your system without feeling cramped.

For a large space, home audio floor speakers are generally appropriate. Short box speakers can be positioned beside reclining chairs or at each end of a couch without looking out of place. Alternatively, long thin speakers can be used for a more modern look. Search for floor standing home audio speakers if you prefer this more streamlined aesthetic, but expect to pay a bit more because the compact construction requires more expensive metal and support material in order to achieve the same sound quality as conventional speakers.

If you are working with limited floor space, there are options that allow for ceiling or wall mounting. Home audio ceiling speakers can be purchased in black or any neutral color to either blend in with your ceiling paint, or provide a simple contrast, much like track lighting. You may need to adjust the tilt angle of each speaker to accommodate your seating arrangements. Home audio in wall speakers are another great choice, especially when you can purchase them during construction of your entertainment room. These speakers are actually recessed into your walls, as a hidden surround sound system.

Finally, if you need flexibility within your room, there is a new line of wireless home audio speakers that may be perfect for you. The central hub speaker connects to your DVD player or stereo and communicates wirelessly with up to 8 additional speakers that can be placed up to 100 feet away. This means that you can rearrange you furniture as often as you like without having to hide wires or get tangled in an intricate series of cables or power cords.

Brands

When you have all the logistics of your ideal speaker system figured out, you can start shopping around and investigating different brands. For good electronics, it’s always best to select a brand with a good reputation and high customer satisfaction rating. Each brand has certain products that it’s known for, so do your homework and be sure to identify the brands that are best suited to your home audio applications.

Cyber acoustics home audio speakers are made primarily for computers. They are compatible with virtually all computers, iPods, and mp3 players, and can be purchased along with headphones and microphones.

Infinity home audio speakers are available from Infinity Systems, a manufacturer of loudspeakers that has been around since the late 1960s. This same sound technology can be found in all Hyundai and Kia vehicles.

Harman manufactures some of the most chic looking speakers, subwoofers, and amplifiers. Their JBL home audio speakers are beautifully designed for your floor, bookshelf, in-wall, ceiling, and even outdoor placement. With more than 70 years of experience, these Harman products deliver exceptional performance.

A few brand names you may be familiar with include the Japanese-based audio giants – Kenwood, Yamaha, and Sony. Kenwood home audio speakers have all the standard features, while yamaha home audio speakers are geared towards musicians.

Yamaha produces a complete line of instruments, synthesizers, and audio equipment that is suitable for the home, but also for professional recording studios. Sony home audio speakers are probably the most popular, thanks to the Tokyo-based company’s hand in entertainment research and technology. Sony provides consumers with complete entertainment systems.

If you’d prefer to support American companies, there are a number of smaller audio equipment manufacturers right here in the states. A group of students at Johns Hopkins University found work in the professional audio industry and eventually transitioned into the home audio and car speaker markets.

These Polk home audio speakers are manufactured in Maryland and can be purchased online. Another option are Klipsch home audio speakers, designed by a company in Indiana. They specialize in high fidelity sound equipment, and their speakers are featured in of Hard Rock Café restaurants across the country.

Hopefully this brief guide has taught you the basics of shopping for home audio components. No matter what kind of budget you’re working with, you can find brand name equipment that will deliver great sound throughout your home. With that being said, speakers for home audio should not only sound good, but they should look great in your home too. Once you understand what style of speakers will fit in your space, you can use them to enhance your overall décor.