Home Theater Acoustics

Most people strive for two things in a home theater: good video and good audio. For the latter, the solution is more than splurging on a set of high-end speakers (although that helps)—it’s also about setting up your room for good acoustic reception. Even the most expensive home theater speakers will sound flat in a room with bad acoustics. To make sure you get your money’s worth, here are some tips for achieving good home theater acoustics.

Invest in acoustic room treatments. Home theater acoustic treatment consists of two main parts: diffusers and absorbers. These elements help even out the sound to prevent loud and soft areas. Absorbers are basically soundproofing materials; they seal the sound in so that you get full, well-rounded audio. A high-end Canadian home theater can spend as much as $10,000 on treatments.

Position your speakers properly. A typical home theater speaker system consists of a center channel, front, rear, left and right speakers, surround speakers, and a subwoofer. Each one plays a different role in the overall sound and should be well positioned. If you’re not sure how, consider having them installed by a Canadian home theater professional.

Get acoustic rugs. Most Canadian home theater supplies will carry specialized carpeting for home theaters. These are designed to absorb sound, turning your floor into a soundproofing board for even better sound quality. There are different colors and patterns available, so you can easily find one that suits your room.