There was a time, quaint by today’s standards, when two speakers would cover all of your music and movie needs. Shopping for speakers, then, was relatively easy because you didn’t have to balance a long list of factors like compatibility, versatility, even invisibility. But with more choice and developments in technology comes more to think about when defining your unique sound.
Audio purists draw a clear distinction between sound setups that work best for movies and those that work best for music, and speakers play a big role in that discussion. But if you don’t consider yourself an audiophile, and money isan object, you can still create a setup that performs both tasks very well.
We’re big fans of Paradigm’s range of speakers. Here’s a quick introduction to their fantastic Cinema v4 Series
If you want a sound system that wears many hats, consider that a movie explosion or war scene requires a lot of raw power and rumble, but not necessarily perfect low-end clarity. Every note of a smoothly flowing jazz bass line, though, has to be clearly audible; the average subwoofer won’t be able to accommodate both perfectly.
When it comes to low-end frequencies, you might want to consider using two larger, bass-equipped speakers (floorstanding speakers rather than bookshelf speakers) in the front-right and front-left positions of your home theatre. This way you can enjoy two-channel (stereo) sound, the way music is meant to be heard, while still getting a quality mid- and high-range experience during movies.
When testing a sound system in-store, consider your own environment first – how will your room’s dimensions and materials, including flooring, impact the acoustics and how will volume in-store translate to that at home?
If your basement is large and cavernous, you will need speakers with a high power output. Conversely, if you know you won’t be able to crank the volume, don’t expect optimal performance from beefed-up speakers.
Perhaps most importantly, remember that speakers are designed to work together, so try to use one series or at least one brand of speaker in your system.
GTA Sight and Sound carries a wide selection of quality speakers, including Paradigm, an industry-leader in speaker technology. Our qualified staff will work with you to find the speakers that meet your power, performance, aesthetic and budget needs. Visit www.gtasightandsound.com for more.
