When it comes to setting up a home theater, many people make common mistakes that can negatively impact their viewing and listening experience. From improper placement of speakers to choosing the wrong room to begin with, these mistakes can be avoided with a little bit of knowledge and planning.
To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to do your research and consult with our home theater experts. With the right knowledge and planning, you can create a home theater that provides a truly immersive and enjoyable experience for you and your family.
Common Home Theater Installation Mistakes
Choosing the Wrong Room
While it may seem like any room in the house could work for your home theater, there are several factors to consider before making a decision.
First and foremost, the size of the room is crucial. A room that’s too small will not allow for optimal speaker placement, and a room that’s too large may require more speakers than necessary. It’s important to measure the room and determine the appropriate speaker configuration based on the dimensions.
The shape of the room is also another crucial factor. A room that’s too narrow or has an irregular shape can create acoustic problems, leading to poor sound quality. It’s best to choose a room with a rectangular shape and minimal obstructions.
The location of the room within the house is also important. A room that’s too close to a busy street can create unwanted distractions and interfere with your overall viewing experience. In view of these, choose a room that’s isolated from external noise and distractions.
Lastly, the lighting in the room should be considered. You need a room with just enough natural light for the best viewing experience. Try to avoid any bright overhead lighting that can negatively impact the picture quality of the screen. The best lighting setup for a home theater is a room with minimal natural light coupled with the ability to control artificial lighting.
Improper Speaker Placement
Incorrect speaker placement can significantly impact the immersive effect and sound quality of a home theater system, so always follow our recommendations to achieve optimal performance.
For example, the front speakers should be placed at ear level when seated in the listening area. They should be angled toward the listener and positioned at equal distances from the center of the screen. If the front speakers are too far apart, the soundstage will be too wide, and if they are too close together, the soundstage will be too narrow.
On the other hand, the rear speakers are responsible for delivering surround sound effects, such as ambient noise and background music. They should be placed behind the listener and angled towards the listening area. Position them at equal distances from the center of the screen and at ear level when seated in the listening area. If the rear speakers are too high or too low, the surround sound effect will be compromised.
Poor Cable Management
Cables are necessary for high-end audio-video equipment, but nobody wants to see entangled wires everywhere. Besides just preventing an eyesore, cable management can also prevent technical issues and accidents.
There are several ways to manage and conceal cables and wires in a home theater for a better and cleaner setup. Here are a few tips:
Labeling: Label cables and wires to identify them easily and prevent confusion when connecting or disconnecting equipment. Use cable ties or Velcro straps to keep cables organized and prevent them from getting tangled.
Wire Covers: Use wire covers to conceal cables and wires that run along walls or floors.
In-Wall Wiring: In-wall wiring can be used to hide cables and wires behind walls. This requires professional installation and should only be done by experienced electricians.
Wireless Technology: Wireless technology can eliminate the need for cables altogether. Wireless speakers, streaming devices, and other equipment can be used to reduce cable clutter.
Set Up Your Home Theater with Home Theater Pros
Setting up a home theater system can be exciting, but don’t dive straight into it without considering these common mistakes. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that you’ll get the best possible experience from your home theater system. Call us today to set up your home theater, and you can rest assured that our home theater installation experts will help you achieve the most optimal setup while avoiding these common mistakes.