This Home Theater stuff confuses me as hell. Pls help!!?

Question

Now wat is the diff between a home theater and a hi-fi system. Ok i have heard that hi-fi has 2 channels whereas home theater has 5,6 or 7. Then what bout the diff. hi-fi models which have 5 channels (for e.g. http://www.sony.co.in/productdetails.do?prod_id=188 ). Then I have heard that a hi-fi system is better for listening to music whereas a home theater is better for watching movies. what if i wanna njoy both?
So which is better overall- a hi-fi system with 5 channels or a home theater with 5 channels?
Pls help me sort out this confusion. Thanx all in advance.

Answer 1

Drives you nutz, doesn't it? Here's the deal. "Home theater" controls at least 6 or 7 speakers (or more!). Two "front" speakers to the left and right of you as you face the unit, then 2 more "rear" speakers, left and right, which are behind or along side of you, then a fifth "rear channel" speaker -behind you, then a "center channel" speaker directly in front of you and as close as you can get to a video source (TV screen) and finally a "sub-bass" speaker which can be anywhere and which reproduces the deep-down heavy bass -such as earthquake reverberations -"rumbling" noises. The home theater receiver (or amplifier) can be adjusted to control how soon the sound reaches any speaker or set of speakers, so as to simulate, by means of the delay, what you might hear in the real world or at least, in a properly equipped theater. There are also, usually, "presets" that simulate a concert hall or an intimate jazz club to the extent that the audio equipment company thinks these places sound like.

By the way the ".1" refers to the sub-bass woofer -a big black box. So the total number of speakers to be powered is the first number, PLUS the ".1 -the big black woofer.

Material recorded in plain vanilla stereo may be played back as such, or else "processed" by the system to send sounds to various speaker sets so that low notes go one place, high notes another and mid-range to yet another; you pick whatever you like. And so, yes, you can reproduce the original material exactly as it was recorded (pretty much) or mess with it to get the effect you like.

Other material, recorded specifically for Home theater, can grab control of your system and tell it how to play everything back. Usually this is a good choice, and Disney's "Lion King" is a classic example. Typically, this media, available on DVD, includes a set-up section which allows you to calibrate whatever you have for big-time "max" effect, often much better than you'd get in an actual theater ...IF you've invested in decent speakers!

A lot of wiring involved, obviously. But take this advice: no matter what any manufacturer claims about how their "compact" system will blow you away, the custom-designed system, put together from individual components properly matched -blows THEM away.

The pre-emminent source of information and product at very good prices is Crutchfield at www.crutchfield.com. No lie. An incredible source of true data with no commercial hype. I am fortunate to live near their HQ, because this enabled me to buy from their "back room," so I was able to put together the whole deal, from 62" TV to ALL the speakers and everything else, for under $2K. And trust me -it will stun you. Whether an old fashioned stereo CD or the latest DVD - it all works and will truly move you. Not only that, but their manuals and literature explains terminology and methods, right down to the cables and connectors.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Hi. I understand your frustration .A Home Theater is an audio video system that tries to give you a cinematic experience at home by using a Multi Channel Amplifier with a high quality viewing medium and surround sound to enhance the realism.

The equipment needed for a Home Theater comprises a 5,6,or 7.1 channel Surround Sound Receiver A high quality DVD/CD Player .A large screen Plasma.or LCD TV. or a Projector and Screen.for viewing.
At least 6 Loudspeakers for surround sound.(2 main stereo speakers for the front .A center speaker mainly for dialog and 2 or more rear speakers plus a subwoofer.) If the speakers you buy can produce bass down to 30 HZ you will not need a subwoofer and save money towards your other gear.
Also you will need all the necessary cables to hook up the equipment.

A High Fidelity sound system tries to reproduce as close as possible the live sound that is recorded and played back through your sound system.What you need to listen to is a Hi Fidelity Amplifier .2 full range Loudspeakers.to match your amp. A top of the range DVD/CD player and or a modern Turntable/Tonearm and cartridge for records plus all the necessary cables.

It is possible to combine true high fidelity sound with home theater but it is more expensive . People who have listened to hi fi sound for many years know what good sound is all about and even though they may disagree on varies things related to sound they all accumulate a vast knowledge of equipment and what it does.HI FI has been my passion for over 40 years.and i know what is needed to enjoy music as real as possible.

The first thing you need is a better quality Amplifier for your Hi Fi and Surround Sound set up A Surround Sound Preamplifier and a Power Amplifier is the only way to go for high fidelity sound.This way you can switch between stereo and surround while keeping your 2 front stereo speakers..Next you need the best stereo speakers you can afford. The choice of speakers depends on the type of sound you like.Basically there are two types.Speakers that have a rather bright sound with average midrange and bass and those with a more neutral sound withe equal amounts of bass mid.andtrebble. If you play LP records a new Turntable is vital and the best CD player you can afford plus all the necessary cables to hook up.

Now you are set to listen to music with excellent equipment .And when you watch something you will have above average sound which is not available with a surround sound receiver.Hope i have explained it so you have a better idea. Cheers.

Have a look at the links to get an idea of what you need.This is only an example and is very expensive .You will get above average sound if you shop around for bargains.


http://nadelectronics.com/products/home_theatre_amplifiers/T163-Surround-Sound-Preamplifier/

http://nadelectronics.com/products/home_theatre_amplifiers/T975-Seven-Channel-Power-Amplifier/

http://nadelectronics.com/products/masters_series/M55-Digital-Disc-Player/

http://www.project-audio.com/main.php?list=turntables&cat=turntables&lang=en

Bright sounding speakers for example:

http://www.newbie.org/xPF-Klipsch-RF-83

Neutral sounding speakers for example:

http://www.kef.com/products/reference/refmodel203.asp

Answer 3

that sony is anything but a HiFi system. Hi Fi systems are 2 chanels with the best quality components in them. Where as a home theater usually consits of 5 chanels with a lower quality of sound. Hi fi systems are good for music. But if you want good for both music and movies i would suggest that you buy speakers with 5.25inch drivers and above because these will give you the midrange you need for music and the sound for hometheater too.

Answer 4

NO! NO! NO! If he wants to marry you, and have kids, GET MARRIED FIRST! If YOU are going to purchase a home BEFORE you get married, purchase the home in your name ONLY! DO NOT purchase a home unless YOU are able to make the payments WITHOUT relying on ANYONE ELSE'S income! When a guy tells you he isn't ready for marriage, it means he really isn't sure if he wants to be married to YOU. Sad as it sounds, it's the truth. If a man wants to marry you, he'll ask you. Don't get sucked in. He realizes you have more money than him. If you own a home, and have children, and he's not your husband, he's only responsible for child support. Personally speaking, I think you should hold off on getting anymore deeply involved with this guy. It seems like his main interest might be putting the least effort and money (ring, parenthood, home purchase) into your relationship, so he can make it easy for himself, if he decides to bail. You've only dated a little over a year, and that really isn't long enough to truly know someone. Being 'too cheap', expecting you to accept 'lab created' junk, and trying to rush you into a position where YOU are the one most responsible for all the long term commitments (children, mortgage), doesn't make him sound too great. Ask yourself... "What would happen if he decided to just pick up and leave?" Are you comfortable with the answer??? I think you should hold off on doing any of those things for now. If you insist on staying with him, wait AT LEAST another year before purchasing a home, or getting pregnant. Then, take another look at your relationship, and whether this is the kind of man you want as a husband and father to your children. My guess is, you'll probably feel differently.

Answer 5

I feel your pain. Do what I did, get a good system then set up the main channels for your theater/surround sound and the secondary channel for stereo. Yes you need to buy another good set of speakers but if you like listening to good music it's worth it. BTW I built my own speaker system for the stereo.

Answer 6

Click this link to straighten out the 2-channel vs. 5 or 6-channel questions...It talks a lot on how to demo speakers in the store and then finishes up with how to decide how many speakers you need at home...Click right here: http://www.avtruths.com/shopping.html

Answer 7

Try this 3.5-minute video for the basics.