Filipinos are some of the biggest fans of blockbuster movies and TV series. If you’re part of this crowd, it may be a good idea to set up your very own home theater to elevate your viewing experience.
Here are some things you need for an awesome home theater:
The Display
Obviously, your home theater won’t be a theater without a display source. For many, this would be a television. Philippines’s retailers have hundreds of options—from basic LED TVs that nevertheless does the job in a no muss, no fuss way, to 4K ultra HD TVs with dynamic colors and amazing details.
The key thing to remember about buying a TV for a home theater is to consider the size of the room. The bigger the TV, the farther the viewing distance required. A big TV in a small space can easily overwhelm, not to mention cause some eye strain due to all the extra glare.
Do note as well that “display” doesn’t automatically mean a TV. You can also get a projector, which can better recreate that cinema experience. Of course, make sure you have a space where you can aim the projector. A white wall is more than sufficient, but there are also pull-down screens that you can retract when not in use.
The Sound
It’s difficult to achieve a surround-sound audio experience with just your TV’s built-in speakers. Thus, you need to get a quality sound system for your home theater. If the budget is a little tight, you can start with a soundbar that you can place under your TV. However, if you have the money to spare, then go ahead and splurge on a complete system.
The components you’re looking for include the following:
- A surround sound 5.1 system. The number goes up to 9.1 as of the moment, but for a basic home theater set-up, a surround sound 5.1 system will be more than enough.
- Amplifiers. Most home theater sound systems come with built-in amplifiers. However, if you want something with more impact, consider getting speakers with separate amplifiers for each channel.
- Subwoofers. For a more dynamic sound with fuller bass notes, you’re going to want a speaker system with subwoofers.
- Equalizers. Equalizers aren’t exactly a must, but they let you fine-tune your speaker system’s sound output. Some TV programs and movies have unique sound engineering, which may not be showcased properly with the default settings on your speakers. The layout of your home theater may also affect the sound quality, which can be addressed through equalizers.
If the speakers you’re looking at are enclosed, make sure that the cases have a good fit. A wide or big enclosure creates space where sound can bounce around, creating reverberations that affect the overall sound output.
The Surge Protectors
Your home theater will be a hub of multiple appliances, which are prone to power surges that can destroy circuitry. To protect your investment, it’s wise to get a surge protector.
Like speaker equalizers, surge protectors aren’t absolutely necessary for a simple home theater setup. After all, a surge protector doesn’t really improve the actual viewing experience. However, your TV and sound system alone are sure to be worth thousands of pesos. One power surge can theoretically damage these appliances beyond repair, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
The Seating Arrangements
It’s difficult to have an enjoyable experience watching your favorite TV shows or movies while standing up. In short, you need some cozy, comfortable seats in your home theater. Some examples include your good ol’ reliable sofa with throw pillows, along with recliners and bean bags.
You can also check junk yards if there are any old fold-up cinema seats available. With some reupholstering and polishing, you can recreate the feel of your favorite movie house. Add some glow-in-the-dark number stickers for full effect!
The Layout
Last but certainly not least, you need to make sure that your home theater has the right layout for the best viewing experience. Ideally, a square- or rectangular-shaped room is the best, since it’s easier to center the display and balance the location of the speakers. It’s also ideal if you can place the TV so that lights don’t directly shine on the screen.
Fortunately, there are some quick fixes you can do just in case the room has an awkward shape. You can invest in TV brackets to angle the TV, for example, and find wall mounts or shelves for the speakers for easier positioning. If the room has a lot of windows, black-out curtains are a great solution to eliminate glare. It’s also a good idea to remove any “blockages” such as cabinets between the speakers and the viewers so that sound can travel more freely.
When you put all of these elements together, you’ll have the perfect setup for your home theater!