How to Choose the Best AV System for a Home Theater

Understanding the Core Components of a Home AV System

To choose the right AV system for a home theater, you first need to understand what parts come together to make a system.

AV stands for audio-visual, so it’s everything that affects how you see and hear entertainment.

The main parts of an AV system include:

AV receiver – As the heart of the system, the AV receiver is its central hub. It’s what controls and connects entertainment sources. You need an AV receiver to amplify the audio to your speakers and route video to your displays.
Surround sound speakers – For an immersive audio experience, a home cinema usually needs surround sound speakers. 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos are common types of surround sound setups. Different systems require different positioning of speakers, with some suited to in-ceiling or in-wall speakers.
Display – You’ll need a way of viewing your visuals. Your display could be a TV screen or a projector.
Source devices – Where is your entertainment coming from? You need to connect your source devices to your AV receiver. Examples of source devices include streaming boxes (or digital media players), Blu-ray players and games consoles.
Control systems – Integrating your system with an app or wall panel will make it easier to manage it in one place. You can even connect it with other smart tech. Imagine adjusting your home cinema room’s temperature as easily as pausing the film. It’s possible with smart home technology.

A CEDIA professional can help you tailor every element to suit you. They can also integrate it with other smart tech, so that everything works smoothly.

How to Choose the Best AV Receiver for a Home Theater

The first item to consider in our home theater buying guide: the AV receiver.

The AV receiver is critical to an enjoyable home cinema system because it’s the switching hub for sources. If you want to play a video game before watching a football match, you need a receiver that makes it effortless to switch between your console’s output and your TV signal.

An AV receiver also handles audio processing formats (such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X), so it’s important for achieving your desired sound. Plus, it determines how many speakers your system can support. So, make sure your AV receiver is compatible with your desired number of speakers. A Smart Home Professional will help you make sense of any compatibility concerns.

When you’re choosing an AV receiver, remember that bigger isn’t always better. It’s more about matching the receiver’s capabilities to your home theater’s features, including its speakers. Typically, though, professional-grade receivers (e.g. Anthem, Marantz, Arcam) offer greater audio quality and a more robust construction than off-the-shelf models. Once again, a professional installer can advise you which AV receiver best matches your needs.

Choosing the Best Surround Sound System for Home Use

When it comes to choosing the best surround sound for your home theater, it’s worth weighing up the differences between surround sound formats.

As a guide to home audio systems, these are the main types of surround sound setups to consider:

5:1 – The traditional surround sound setup with five speakers and one subwoofer.
7:1 – Similar to 5:1 but with two rear speakers.
Dolby Atmos – Adds height channels (in-ceiling or up-firing, which causes the sound to bounce off the ceiling). It creates a 3D audio experience.

As part of designing your surround sound setup, you’ll have to think about the best speaker placements (e.g. floor standing, bookshelf, in-wall, in-ceiling, etc.) for the acoustics of your chosen space.

A professional will advise which speakers to use and how to calibrate them with room correction tools to optimise sound. They can also suggest room treatment, such as sound-absorbing panels and bass traps.

What Is the Best Home Theater System for Your Home?

The best home theater system depends on what you’re looking for. The best one will be the one that most suits your needs. Consider your room size (and layout), entertainment preferences (i.e. movies, music, gaming), aesthetic requirements and your home cinema budget.

Remember that there’s a difference between a custom home cinema system and an out-of-the-box solution. A custom design will almost always be the better option (even if it will usually cost more). By working with a CEDIA-certified integrator, you can tailor a custom system to match your wishlist.

Beyond the Basics: Display, Sources and Smart Integration

Of course, no AV system is complete without a display. And it’s of no use without entertainment.

To choose the best AV system for you, consider whether you’d like to use a projector or a TV for visuals. If you’ve got a large plain white wall, a projector may be the right fit. However, you may prefer a TV for aesthetic reasons or other compatibility features.

You’ll also need to think about source options. If you’re using a TV, is it a smart TV that has apps for your chosen streaming subscriptions, like Apple TV, for example? You might also want to investigate services like Kaleidescape, which provides movies with lossless audio and full-reference video quality.

If you’re a gamer, factor in your consoles and find out how easy it would be to connect them, too.

Beyond the entertainment, it’s worth thinking about the room. For the ultimate home theater, integrate lighting and shading. A darkened room is perfect for recreating that cinema feel.

You should also consider your preferred control systems. Do you want to change what you’re watching (or its volume) with a remote, an app or your voice? Whatever you prefer, you want an effortless user experience. A professional can help integrate your AV system with your broader smart home technology (including controls) for seamless interactivity.

Why Work with a CEDIA Professional?

There are lots of advantages to working with a Smart Home Professional to set up your AV system.

Some of the benefits of choosing a CEDIA-certified installer include:

Custom system design – Design your home cinema exactly the way you want it.
Expert acoustic planning – Get the most out of your surround sound.
Calibration for picture and sound – Enjoy industry standards for audio and visuals.
Hidden cabling and power – Achieve excellent aesthetics by keeping unsightly wiring out of the way.
Ongoing support and upgrades – Know who to turn to if you’d like to make changes.

If you like the sound of those advantages, find a CEDIA professional near you.

Build the Best AV Experience for Your Lifestyle

A high-quality AV system is about more than gadgets. Instead, it’s about creating an experience.

Choosing the right AV receiver, speakers and control system can transform the way you watch, listen and live in your home. With expert advice, you’ll enjoy a home cinema that performs beautifully and fits your lifestyle perfectly.