Speakers

What Are My Speaker Options?

Today's manufacturers offer speakers to fit a variety of needs and budgets. Main speakers are the main left and right stereo speakers in a sound system. Main speakers come in two sizes: floor-standing models (generally over two feet in height) for medium to large rooms and bookshelf models (under two feet) for smaller rooms.

A third category is "subwoofer/satellite" speakers. These speakers use small "satellite speakers" for mid and high frequencies and a subwoofer dedicated to nothing but bass frequencies. The resulting sound rivals that of high-quality floor-standing speakers. Subwoofers come in two types, passive -- which draw their power from the receiver-- and powered, which contain their own amplifiers and need an external power source.

Home theater speaker systems are used in conjunction with a Dolby Pro Logic or Dolby Digital receiver to produce surround sound. Surround sound systems, which can be used for music as well as home theater, include a center channel speaker and two surround speakers in addition to the main or "front" speakers. You can build a surround speaker system by simply adding surround speakers to your present main speaker setup. Or you can purchase complete, pre-packaged home theater speaker systems that are matched for ideal sound.

For areas in which space is at a premium, today's in-wall speakers rival the sound of free-standing models. And state-of-the-art outdoor speakers provide quality sound while braving the worst of weather conditions. They come in free-standing and in-wall varieties.

How Much Should I Spend On Speakers?
What Main Criteria Should Influence My Speaker Choice?
Should I Get Stereo Or Surround Speakers?
How Can I Test Speakers?



Hifi.com Home Page

Experts on call Monday - Friday 9 AM - 8 PM ET
1-800-FOR-HIFI