What is a good wattage I should look for in a home theater system?

Question

I want to buy my mom some speakers to hook up to her TV for Christmas because she can barely hear her tv right now, the volume on the tv itself is just very blah. We can have it turned clear up and still barely hear it.

So what should I look for in a home system then? Not something too expensive but I don't want it to be cheap sound quality either. I'm not quite sure what amount of wattage I should look for and what not. Any recommendations?

I am also having a hard time finding a system that doesn't come with a DVD player; my mom already has a DVD player I am just looking for some good speakers to amplify her TV sound so she can finally hear it.

Answer 1

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Don't worry so much about wattage, the sensitivity of the speakers, and their quality are more important. Well, since she already has a DVD player, she will need an amplifier or receiver to power the speakers (unless she already has one, does she?) unless...

If she doesn't already have a receiver or amplifier and you don't want to fool with a seperate component other that just the speakers, you should consider powered speakers. This will allow her to connect the speakers either directly to the TV (if the TV has a VARIABLE AUDIO OUT R&L or at least a set of AUDIO OUTs) via the VARIABLE OUT R&L so she can control the volume through the TV itself. You will need a good set of RCA cables (i.e. 2 interconnect cables with RCA connectors) at an appropriate length.

Here's an example...

- KRK RP5 Rokit Powered 2-Way Active Monitor . . . ~$300/pr.
( http://www.zzounds.com/item--KRKRP5 )

You can place them on a bookshelf or get some stands like these...

- SANUS BF31B 31" SPEAKER STAND . . . . . ~$50/pr.
( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&DID=7&Partnumber=240-767 )

However, if she needs a receiver, and I don't see the need for more than just a 2-channel stereo receiver or amplifier. If this is a needed component, here are a couple of good examples...

- Teac AG-790A . . . . . ~$120 (good sound)
( http://www.amazon.com/gp/amabot/?pf_rd_url=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB000A6PTHI%2Fref%3Dpd_rvi_gw_3%2F002-3147884-0744045%3Fie%3DUTF8&pf_rd_p=180765301&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0F4G1FZ6448XVF92ANF3 )

- Onkyo TX-8011 . . . . . ~$130 (excellent sound)
( http://www.amazon.com/gp/amabot/?pf_rd_url=%2Fgp%2Fproduct%2FB00067KQLK%2Fref%3Dpd_rvi_gw_2%2F002-3147884-0744045%3Fie%3DUTF8&pf_rd_p=180765301&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0F4G1FZ6448XVF92ANF3 )

There are a lot of good speakers out there that are reasonably inexpensive. Here are 3 examples, two that are floor speakers, and one that is a very inexpensive bookshelf (the aforementioned speaker stands will work here as well) that I can recommend (unless she has very little space, floorstanding speakers would be the most convenient due to not needing speaker stands)...

- Athena Audition AS-F1 Tower Speakers . . . . . ~$250/pr.
( http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/productdetail.asp?sku=ATHASF1&product_name=Audition%20AS-F1%20Tower%20Speakers%20-%20Pair )

- MTX MONITOR 600i TOWER SPEAKER BLACK . . . . . ~$300/pr.
( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=302-016 )

- MTX MONITOR 5i BOOKSHELF SPEAKER BLACK . . . . . ~$60/pr.
( http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=302-019 )

These speakers will need a decent set of speaker cables at the approriate length.

H a p p y
H o m e
T h e a t e r i n g !
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Answer 2

If she doesn't need 5.1 digital surround, and already has a stereo system, simply hook up the 2 channel output from the DVD to the amplifier.

Any old stereo you can get from a garage sale for ten dollars should be more than audible!

As far as "wattage" goes, it's an often misleading spec, since manufacturers can't seem to agree how to rate themselves. Just remember to tell the difference at all between 2 powers, you need double the power. Ie. - no audible difference between 80w & 150w per channel!!!

Answer 3

Wattage is probably the least important spec you should consider. Unless you need to play the system very loud, you don't need a lot of power. Unfortunalely, the important specs (distortion, frequency range uniformity, efficiency) are never availble for low-priced systems. The best bet for you is to try to find some evaluations and reviews on the net, such as from http://www.cnet.com/

Answer 4

just for normal home use i would recommend a home theatree/srround sound system with aout 300-400 watts capacity.

as an alternative (since it doesnot sound that you have like a big/hdtv/plasma TV) you can also buy those shelf systems, they come with 1 unit as a recievr with 2 speakers (and sometimes a woofer too)

just make sure that if you buy the shelf systems that the reciever has an Audio input (many systems usually come with that nowadays)

Answer 5

there is various solid suggestion here already, yet besides... going with a separate receiver is clever. do no longer spend too lots money there; something that does uncomplicated Dolby digital and DTS is the main important component. interior the long-term you are going to choose a receiver that switches HDMI, and upconverts common video and component video to HDMI, and until eventually i'm unsuitable those beneficial factors nonetheless value various money, so i do no longer see lots experience procuring something above a minimum receiver in the present day. $one hundred could locate you an older Pioneer variety which will do the pastime. i could be careful of Harman-Kardon; there gave the impression to be an poor lot of busted or refurbished ones on eBay a jointly as back. audio device; 4 will do the pastime in a pinch. The receiver could be configured to paintings with a number of preparations of audio device. it quite is beneficial to locate some form of tangible close-out deal on audio device; I have been given mine at Radio Shack while they marked 'em down from $a hundred and eighty to $40, and that they have been a variety that certainly have been given solid comments from critics. 2 pairs of stereo from thrift shops will do the pastime, and midsize "bookshelf" audio device would furnish sufficient bass which you will no longer choose a separate subwoofer. basically determine to configure the receiver to designate them as "super" or finished-selection audio device, and no subwoofer, or you will ask your self the place the bass is. in case you decide on for a kit, get one with a separate DVD participant. DVD gamers do no longer constantly final that long; they have have been given shifting aspects that positioned on, optics which could get grimy, and a laser which could positioned on out. it quite is a super purchase extra value-effective to in basic terms purchase yet another $40 DVD participant than to change or restoration a receiver/DVD combination unit. to circumvent bothering the acquaintances, use restraint with the quantity administration. you may could have interplay the dynamic selection proscribing function on the receiver.