The home theater system is one of the pinnacles of domestic luxury and affluence. Quite possibly the best form of entertainment that can be contained in the home, the home theater system is still unattainable to most of us who do not have the monetary means of installing one on our home. But in recent times, there has been a push towards making more affordable home theater systems for the public that will not break the bank.

The innovation started when the need for wide screens was not only reliant on high quality and expensive projector systems but on the much cheaper but equally sharp High Definition Television sets that one can get. These HDTVs come in larger screens compared to the old picture tube television sets and are in a wider aspect ratio that is almost to that of films. This widescreen capability makes viewing movies in HDTVs a very close experience when compared to watching movies in the cinema. One can compare HDTVs with the quality of projector based home theater equipment and there would be a lot more contrast with the HDTV, as the image does not come projected far away but is itself created on the screen.

A good home theater system must have other components, such as a speaker setup with more than just stereo capability, a subwoofer integrated into the system, and sound dampening so echoes do not go appear and so the neighbors can rest easy during use.

To buy a high def TV for home theater use, you should try out and compare HDTVs from many brands so you can get one that suits your tastes exactly. Also, look out for home theater system packages that include an HDTV and a 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup to get the best bang for your buck.

Many people do not know how a computer works. Fewer are the people who have no idea how the sound in your computer works. But can anyone tell the difference between low and high sound quality in their speakers. A good quality speaker may bring a listening experience to another level. The two main requirements for the quality of sound from the speaker computer sound card and computer speakers. Sound cards are relatively easy to find because they are available from all computer dealers.

But do not attempt to install the card yourself, as opening the cases can undermine the system warranty. The second pert is access to high quality speakers. Almost all speakers are plug and play, and versions of the sound quality you can get the point at which they are installed. Producers presented the buyer the option to connect from two to eight speakers to your computer. But after that, more wires can slip out from under the computer tables or hanging on the walls. That problem has led to the production of wireless computer speakers.

Each computer is fitted with multiple cables. After the wireless PC speaker prevents you from adding more wires to the system, and increases system performance. Another very important advantage is that the wireless speakers for laptop can be placed in any corner of the room. Now I do not have to worry about the length of the wires, which may limit mobility, appearance, and most importantly the sound from the speakers. Wireless tv speakers have built-in transmitters and receivers.

When the computers sound card produces no sound, the transmitter encodes the audio signals to analog signals and sends them to the speaker load. Receivers decode the signal and convert it back to a tone and sound is emitted from the speakers. With the advantage coverage may allow the user to place the speakers anywhere in your room. Many manufacturers provide additional benefit in the speakers, which can receive signals even through obstacles. Thus, the user can place their speakers in any room. The user can select the wireless PC speaker based on the number of satellites he or she wants.

Constructing a home cinema platform can certainly prove to be an extremely complex process particularly if must work to a limited budget. On the other hand, if perhaps you happen to be rich and famous we’ve got home theater designers wanting to do it all for you, but how about we imagine budgets are tight and that we want to learn a little bit about what is involved.

Any home movie theater can be as basic or as sophisticated as you will want to allow, or can afford. The image a lot of us may have is of the celebrity crib with their own dedicated theater room containing the best theater seating, blackout shades and stunning electronic equipment that does no one knows what. In the simpler form a home cinema may well contain a television set and DVD or video player attached to wireless surround sound loudspeakers. Of course it may be a lot more complicated. Have a look at many of the elements of a home cinema.

Your Dedicated Room.

Your room may merely be your current living area. Maybe you have a space which can be used just for your home theater set up and absolutely nothing else. Whatever, this is not the most important issue; we can work with what we have. Remember, the most rudimentary surround sound set up will certainly be a massive improvement on any normal television especially if you have good surround sound speaker placement.

The Cinema Screen.

Typically the screen can merely be your existing TV set, or possibly a great wide-screen High definition television. At the top end you may be lucky enough to use a digital home cinema projector that will provide a stunning theater effect. Do your best!

The Source Player.

The player could be disguised cunningly as your current DVD player or possibly a Play-station 3 can double up as a Blue-ray player. Projector platforms can actually be connected to a computer to handle film and television viewing. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

The Sound System.

The audio will need to be at the least a basic type of multichannel surround sound system. This is the most important part of the system and money spent here will be reflected in the results you can achieve. One can choose from many brands and technical configurations. The more complex the particular set-up, the more pricey it can be. Spend as much as you dare on good audio.

Home theater technologies are developing at such a very fast pace, this year’s latest thing could be gone tomorrow. As this takes place the slightly older models end up cheaper making it practical to get started with building a home theater on a budget and still using good quality component parts.

There are a variety of choices when it comes to choosing a wireless sound system. To begin with you can choose between either 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. These numbers simply mean that the system will come with one subwoofer and either five or seven speakers. For the optimal experience the 7.1 is the best choice as it adds two additional speakers to the back of the 5.1 setup. A very important factor in the decision making process is price-range available in a multitude of options from affordable to mid-range to high-end products.

Affordable systems include HDMI cables for high-definition digital input five satellite speakers and a subwoofer and a DVD player. This group is known as home theater in a box and can be purchased for under $500. They are perfect for small rooms are easy to set up and relatively easy to use. A good system will come with rechargeable batteries as well. Some good products in this price range are the Sony STR-DH810 7.1-Channel Blu-Ray Disc A/V Receiver for around $300 and the Onkyo 7.1 Channel Home
Theater Receiver/Speaker Package with iPod Dock for about $500.

The mid-range group includes systems such as the Samsung 7.1 Channel Blu-Ray (about $750). Products in this category offer a choice between virtual or high-end surround sound. Also included are a DVD player speakers and a receiver. These packages come in a variety of style options and can still be set up at home without an installer.

For a customized room high-end products are a perfect fit. These packages include everything the others have and also contain top-of-the-line speakers and subwoofers. These are usually installed by a professional and can be quite costly but offer better sound quality better products and better customer service options. Bose offers a Lifestyle T20 for around $2000.

Choosing a 7.1 system can be challenging but if you keep your needs in mind you can find the perfect system. Make your decision based on price sound quality product durability and style. Whichever wireless surround sound system you decide on it will be a great investment towards your entertainment needs.

In recent times, we have seen a dramatic shift towards hi-fi home environments that are more designed focused. The rise of mind-broadening television programs and stylish, yet simple European furnishings has led home owners to become much more conscious of interior design. Exterior and interior finishing of our homes is something we’ve become spending far more time and money on, especially where it concerns home theater speaker systems.

With precious space competed for between large pieces of furniture and home speakers, consequently there has been a move towards reducing the amount of space occupied by large hi-fi units into space saving systems offering the same multimedia experience, whilst remaining complimentary to a stylish, minimalist home interior. The fact that superb results can be achieved without encroaching on living space has seen the emergence of home speakers that are actually mounted within a room’s walls and even in it’s ceiling. In ceiling speakers and in wall speakers have become increasingly popular, particularly in modern apartments and houses where part of the appeal is speakers that are positioned and placed into any ceiling in any room.

In contrast to conventional speakers, an in-wall speaker is a part of a speaker system where each driver is mounted in a frame that is set into the wall, rather than inside a speaker cabinet. Speaker systems that are “in-wall” actually use the wall instead of the cabinet, an effect that gives you additional bass than from a standalone speakers of identical size.

In-ceiling speakers are basically the same concept as an in-wall speaker except that they are positioned directly above the listener in the ceiling of the room. In general, inceiling speakers are round and in wall speakers rectangular. Why? Just because it looks better that way! Almost all in-ceiling and inwall speakers have paintable grilles, allowing you to match their color to suit that of ceiling or wall. Painted in wall ceiling speakers are hugely popular!

Performance Considerations

An in ceiling speaker is designed fundamentally identical to normal speakers using the same audio-visual materials. With the ability to produce two-channel music with the same ease, the most significant factors affecting the frequency response and performance of ceiling mounted speakers are the rigidity and size of the cavities in which they are installed. Provided that the ceiling cavity can accomodated it, it is worth – for consistency – using ceiling mount speakers that are fitted with a rigid, sealed box. A poorly fitted speaker can adversely affect it’s performance so it’s time well spent considering how firmly and easily your speaker driver fits into its ceiling speaker mounts.

Other considerations that should be made when shopping for the best in ceiling speakers for your home theater system are those associated with conventional home speaker systems. Here is a brief summary of the most important factors:

Frequency response. The range of human hearing deterioriates at the higher end of the audio frequencey spectrum, and while the full range is between 20-20,000 Hz, a speaker range that reaches about 16,000 Hz is a realistic upper limit. The average audio ceiling speakers and wall speakers encounter problems with the low frequencies. While most products specs claim to handle lower than 100 Hz frequencies, in practice this is usually only achieved at low volumes. A system with subwoofer component can resolve the issue of a problematic low-end.

Power handling. The power rating of a speaker specification indicates the upper limit of amplifier power. In practice, however the speaker can handle this only for short periods. More power is obviously better, low distortion levels are the crucial factor as speaker systems are usually damaged by high distortion levels.

Efficiency. The dB rating of a speaker driver is also called it’s sensitivity or efficiency and is an indicator of how effectively it utilizes the power delivered by the system amplifier. For example, a speaker with a rating of 91db requires much less power – in fact half as much – to sustain a volume than a speaker that is rated to only 88db. The general rules is that the power requirements are either doubled or halved for each 3db change in speaker efficiency. A very efficient speaker model, then can make the most of a low-power amplifier.

Features. Speaker systems vary by features and the best ceiling speakers for you will obviously be the one that has the features you need, for the price you are willing to pay. Taking your time to shop around is thus an excellent idea. Some examples of features that are found in home ceiling speakers include speakers with pivoting tweeter – these allow you to alter your listening position without losing the ability to recieve optimum sound quality. Some ceiling mount speaker systems allow you to make treble and bass tone adjustments with the controllers accessed simply by removing one of the ceiling speaker grills. The range of speaker features goes on and will vary by specific manufacturer.

Moisture Resistance. If you are going to place your ceiling surround sound speakers in a humid area like your kitchen or bathroom, ensure that you choose a speaker that has sufficent protection against these environments like components that resist deterioration and special coating over fragile components.

Positioning

When you are installing ceiling speakers – as with conventional floor standing speeakers, the positioning of tthe ceiling speaker system can affect how well the sound is heard. Since having just been fitted flush to a ceiling, it is therefore important to consider the positioning of the ceiling speaker installation from the outset since it is not possible to tow the speakers into position! Many products have begun to adopt a pivotal tweeter – some even with pivotal bass unit to change the angle of the sound and alleviate the limitations of a conventional ceiling mounted speaker, which only directs the sound directly down. With this type of system, your audio experience can be improved by pivoting the sound source to face your direction whenever you are unable to sit direction underneath the overhead ceiling speaker placement. Subwoofers are usually always placed in walls.

Audio Ceiling Speaker Configurations

You will soon realize just how many different ways ceiling and wall speakers can be configured and how many options are on offer from 4-5 inch speakers to the more sizable 8-10 inch options. In general, bigger drivers offer greater frequency response for the deeper notes, but will obviously require a bigger speaker cavity. Smaller speakers can be purchased if space saving is high on your priority list – for instance ceiling speaker systems can be purchased as a single driver, two tweeters and two seperate coils. The way this configuration functions is to have one of the driver coils hooked up to the right channel and one to the right. A tweeter is dedicated to the left channel and the other to the right. Pretty simple. If you would like stereo output, but only require a single unit, this solution works quite well and can be used in areas such as kitchen, hallway or bathroom.

The future

The potential for future innovation in stereo ceiling speakers is exciting. Some forseeable options include an idea that borrows from high end sub woffers in the addition of a motorised pivoting system that incorporates an automatic digital setup system. Another possible advancement is the incorporation of wireless ceiling speakers that would ease the burden of retro fitting. Remote sensors could also allow the speaker to track the position of the listener without the need for manual control, so delivering a complete wireless surround sound system that for all intents and purposes is entirely invisible!

Conclusion

When planning to install audio in ceiling speakers in your home theater setup, you should consider both the speaker technology you will use and also the material of your walls and ceiling as well as its thickness and most importantly how well and easily they will fit.

The benefits of surround ceiling speakers and wall speakers are clear, whichever system you end up choosing. The option of achieving exceptional sound from a hidden source while maximizing your living space allows you to maintain a minimalist design that blends in perfectly with your decor with the most visible clue being the very subtle and discrete look of the in-wall mounted grill.

More Audio Speaker Information:

• How to buy cheap speakers
• How To Buy Mp3 Speakers
• Cheap Bose Speakers
• Speaker System Articles

There are a variety of mp3 speakers on the market, the abundance of speakers is a trend that has been brought about by the the rise in popularity of the mp3 player over the last decade or so. Mp3 players speakers amplify the sound output from MP3 music players which are devices designed specifically play back audio files encoded in the “MP3″ format.

The Mp3 format is a lossy compression algorithm, designed to produce a very close reproduction of an original uncompressed piece, while requiring a greatly reduced amount of data, conceptually likened to the principles used by the JPEG compression format for computer images.

Portable mp3 players are generally devices that specialise in playing audio files in the mp3 format, but in practice many mp3 players like the iRiver also support the ability to play other types of audio file. Because mp3 players are compact portable devices they are designed to be used mainly with headphones, but with people wanting to use their players like a convential stereo system, the availabllity of mp3 player speakers have become much more prevalent in the market.

Almost everyone now uses their PC or an Mp3 player as their main source of music while the CD-based boom boxes and component based stereo sound systems are taking a backseat, replaced by the iPod speaker dock.

An mp3 player speaker can be used to turn an mp3 player like an iPod into a conventional stereo system. Mp3 stereo speakers usually offer a docking port for popular mp3 players to slot into. Other speakers for mp3 player are known as portable mp3 speakers which are in direct contrast to this type of speaker system being smaller and quite light and compact and suitable for travel. These “mini speaker for mp3″ do not produce the loud output of larger speakers, but are more convenient to take with you on the road.

Determining exactly what the best mp3 speaker system Speakers for your needs is not easy as there are a considerable number of options around. There are even clock radio/mp3 speaker combinations available.

Buying considerations

So what can you do to ensure you get the best mp3 speakers for your money? The solution is not a trivial one, for while mp3 speakers do have some standard attributes, the range in terms of prices and features is amzingly vast. So here are some considerations for finding the best speakers for mp3 players that suit your requirements.

When looking at an mp3 speaker system for your mp3 player, perhaps the primary consideration is that the docking platform can accomodate your player. The good news is that the mp3 player speaker system provides support for a wide range of mp3 players, although by far the most popular mp3 speaker dock due it’s wide market domination is an iPod compatible docking station that usually provides a port that is compatible with Apple iPod and iPhone devices.

Almost all mp3 speakers dock systems are fitted with an 3.5mm Aux input that enables them to be used as a pc mp3 speaker (or non-iPod player). While truly universal mp3 speakers are fantasy, most can be used with a wide range of mp3 player devices which is beneficial to us as consumers. Mp3 docking station with speakers can also be usb mp3 speakers that allow for all-in-one functionality, and some also offer audio-visual (A/V) outputs that enable them to act as multi-function storage devices, or offer audio for video playback.

Many mp3 player speaker dock ports recharge the mp3 player while it is “docked”, but not all and the best mp3 speaker dock systems feature a remote control allowing you to control your music from the comfort of your living room chair.

Audio Playback Quality

When purchasing mp3 speaker systems, sound quality is always paramount unless portability is on top of your list of priorities. Some of the best mp3 speaker systems offer a top-notch audio experience in terms of quality, yet lack the full suite of features that are offered – especially those specific to controlling and navigating the menus system in an iPod or iPhone.

For example the Boston Acoustics HIDS3B is a wireless mp3 speaker system that is completely feature-barren compared to some of the fancier players around, but delivers top-notch audio with a fantastic sound on the deep end. While a big bass sound isn’t everyone’s thing, the HIDS3B are fantastic loud mp3 speakers that won’t distort – and will reproduce low frequencies accurately when the volume is pumped up.

Another example is the Altec Lansing Mix iMT800, which allows you to tailor the sound signature to your personal tastes with it’s 7-band equalizer permitting you to adjust the bass and treble to a fine degree.

Buying Portable speakers for mp3 Players

In direct contrast to large mp3 external speakers that are designed as a substitute for a home stereo system or boom-box, the other type of speaker system for mp3 is designed with portability in mind. Mp3 travel speaker systems are either very small mini mp3 speakers or can be folded up for easy transportation. The best mp3 player travel speakers can run on batteries meaning they can be used anywhere, whether you have access to the main power grid or not. The down side of these mini mp3 speaker systems is that the sound quality tends to be weak and lacking in qualities. These small speakers for mp3 players often distort at high volumes and have a weak bass, but when you’re listening to your favorite tracks while relaxing at the beach soaking in the sunny weather you have to ask yourself – would you care? Likely not.

Travel mp3 speakers are usually inexpensive making them great mp3 speakers for kids who are inclinded to break things. Many types of mini speakers for mp3 are folding too, allowing you to bundle your speakers into a small compact space that can easily be accomodated in an easy-to-carry mp3 speaker case.

Mp3 car speakers systems are another kind of mp3 player and speakers that are delivered in the size of a standard car audio player. These often feature a USB cable allowing for easy playing and transfering of songs. Some car mp3 speakers feature video as well as audio playing capabilities.

Style and Design

Different people have different preferences when it comes to the images and designs of Mp3 players speakers. Color of player is a personal choice and whether you like pink mp3 speakers or your mp3 speakers black, one area where you certainly have choice is variety of design. You will be hard pressed not to find a set of funky mp3 speakers to your liking. Looks aside there are other design aspects featured in mp3 players with speakers that you might want to take into account for instance space. If you want something small and compact, then the Bose Sound Dock 10, which weighs in at 18 pounds and takes up a vast amount of desk space is probably not going to match up to your needs.

A much smaller speaker dock for mp3 is the Klipsch’s iGroove SXT. The iGroove proves that small mp3 speakers can deliver on audio performance usually only seen in a larger mp3 speakers docking station. Although some of the best mp3 player speakers are quite large, bigger doesn’t always mean better and let’s be honest here, looks can be just as important as sound quality. If you want a set of mp3 player with speakers that will turn heads, then something like the iHome iP1 is one of the funkiest speaker systems around, so certainly fits this description.

Remote Control

This is suprisingly and quite sadly, one of the more neglected feature in some of the best quality and highly priced mp3 players and speakers on the market including – (to name but a few) – Bose, Kilpsch and Altec Lansing. Many of the best mp3 audio speaker systems only offer the ability to skip forward, rewind and play and pause tracks, leaving out what some consider the most crucial abilities such as switching between playlists, albums and artists and navigating the iPod menus. Fortunately there are systems that offer full iPod navigation such as the iHome iP1 mp3 docking station with speakers.

Extra Features

The are a few additional features to look for in mp3 and speakers systems. If you want your mp3 speakers docking system to play audio while you watch iPod videos on a TV screen, you will need to look for a system that supports video output such as the iGroove SXT. There are also various novelty mp3 speakers like iPig, iBoo and iPanda 2.1 speakers with mp3 systems that are shaped like animals, shower mp3 speaker systems that are waterproof, mp3 bike speaker sets that allow you to mount an mp3 player on a push bike and alarm clock docking stations like the Logitech Pure-Fi Dream or iHome iP9BR Clock Radio for iPod and iPhone that will wake you up in the morning to your favorite tracks.

Not every speaker system for mp3 players is compatible with the iPhone – although most modern ones are, so if you are seeking a system for your iPhone, you’ll need to check for a “Works with iPhone” label in the product description. Speakers for mp3 player systems that are not made for the iPhone, can still be used in Airplane mode and thus avoid GSM buzz, however it’s naturally nicer not to have to worry about it.

Wireless mp3 speaker systems are also available. While most systems that use a remote control are wireless, models like the Boston Acoustics HIDS3B, feature wireless speaker components, in this case a wireless subwoofer, allowing you to position different speaker types in different areas of the house. Wireless mp3 speakers offer you more choice

Price

The final consideration of course is price. Cheap mp3 speakers can be had for as little as $100 and are fine as starter kids mp3 speakers. They will not, however go close to touching the quality of a speaker system in the order of $500 or upwards. When you buy mp3 speakers, don’t assume that more money equals better quality. High-end models generally sound better, but many lack the features and may not be the mp3 speakers best buy you assume them to be, if features is what you like.

The secret is to shop around for a system that delivers the best sound with the features you like and within the price limits you can afford. Shopping around is probably the easiest way as sites like Amazon.com offer an exceptionally wide range of products and always feature some heavily discounted deals.

A great way of getting an insight into the quality and experience you’re likely to get in a product is to read mp3 speaker reviews on Amazon from the customers who have purchased and used the systems you are interested in.

Customers who have been kind enough to write an mp3 speaker review for the benefit of the many shopper who use the Amazon website can help you discover any hidden flaws or shortcomings that naturally will not be mentioned in the product feature description. Amazon products allow customers to rate a product out of five stars.

A product that averages five stars is usually good quality option, but be wary of five star reviews where there are not a lot of reviews. The more Mp3 speaker reviews, of a particular product usually avoids the problem of a skewered rating. A speaker system with only one mp3 speaker review, may not accurately reflect the product’s “real rating” as the reviewer may be biased for one reason or another. Keep in mind that mp3 speaker dock reviews are not everything and only one of several factors to consider when making a purchasing decision.

Accessories

When purchasing an mp3 speaker system, you might also want to consider some handy accessories like an mp3 speaker bag, head phones or ear phones.

Some notable mp3 speaker sound systems:

JBL mp3 speakers – Micro Portable iPod Docking Station

The JBL On Stage Micro portable docking system is designed to accomodate docking with an iPod portable media device. Producing a crystal clear audio experience, with an Aux input, it can also accomodate other MP3 players, but will charge an iPod when docked. The docking platform also features a USB device that can connect to a computer and offers a remote control allowing you full control over your digital audio experience.

Sandisk Media Speakers

The SanDisk Sansa is a line of extremely small, portable media and audio players that utilize flash-memory storage. The most popular current models are the Sansa Fuse, Sansa View and Sansa Clip+. Sansa mp3 speakers are hard to come by, but there are generic options available that can serve the role of Sandisk mp3 speaker docking stations.

Speakers for creative zen mp3 player

Creative Technology offer a portable media player alternative to the iPod, called the Zen. The Zen is a flash-based media player with memory capacities raning from 2 GB to 32 GB – a record storage capacity among flash players. Zen mp3 speakers are specifically designed to accomodated Zen media players. Some prominant Zen speaker system models include the Lover’s Creative Vision: Speakers for Zen Mp3 players, Creative Zen Mp3 speakers Travelsound X-Fi Speaker System and the Creative Labs Travelsound Zen Mozaic Speakers.

Altec Lansing Orbit MP3 Speaker System

The Altec Lansing Orbit Speakers are cylindrical, portable MP3 speakers that produce 360 degree sounds. The two most popular models are the iM-207 and newer iM-237 which is approximately 25% larger than the iM-207 and comes with a stylish carry case.

Speakers for Samsung Mp3 Media Players

Samsung portable media players are either flash based or feature hard drives with storage up to 16 GBs. Samsung players can also feature DNSe 2.0, Bluetooth, FM radio, Datacasts, an eBook reader, a photo/video viewer and touch-screen functionality. Samsung media players can be docked into the Samsung SD210, a docking port that includes samsung mp3 speakers. These speakers for samsung mp3 portable media players include an elegantly design that features two four watt speakers in a four inch wide case, providing an enjoyable audio experience for owners of portable Samsung media devices. To accomodate other media players, the Samsung mp3 with speakers has ausiliary input.

Conclusion

Mp3 speakers are devices designed to enhance and amplify the sound quality of audio files played back with MP3 players. MP3 players are usually equipped with bare-bones speaker systems with users usually gaining a superior audio experience with the use of headphones or ear phones, however with MP3 player speakers it is possible to transform a portable Mp3 player device into a replacement for a stereo Boom Box or home theater system. Some systems are even wireless delivering a total wireless home theater system driven by a basic player.

More Audio Speaker Information:

• How to buy cheap speakers
• Cheap Bose Speakers
• Home Speakers Articles

Most people dream of owning a Bose speaker set, but are hesitant because they think that Bose speakers will cost them a fortune. While it’s certainly true that Bose offers some of the finest quality high end speakers (at high end prices), few people bother to take the time to seek out the cheaper deals and so fail to realise that cheap Bose speakers can be found by shopping around.

Few sound enthusists and music collection owners have not heard of Bose, for Bose are one of the most highly regarded brands in the speaker world. Many people hold Bose in high regard due to the fact that they rarely fail to satisify those who try their products. So as far as choice of speaker brand is concerned, Bose has a great reputation and is a trusted brand amongst many owners of premium home audio equipment, setting a level of technology and performance that competitors view as the benchmark.

One way of finding discount Bose speakers is to look on the second hand market. While you might be hesitant to risk your money on a second hand item that has incurred wear and tear and may be faulty, there are severy key things you can look at to reduce your risk of picking up a second hand item that is defective. Buying a new set of speakers is likely a far more exciting prospect for you, so you’ll be pleased to know that there are cheaper Bose speaker options around that are new.

Whether new or second hand, checking for the following things will ensure you are a happy and satisfied customer – probably for many years to come.

Ensure the technology is still up to par with the latest innovations in the market. While older speakers are often fine for many things, you do not want a speaker set that is incompatible with the latest players or missing some nice new feature that has recently come into reckoning. What features you need is a personal choice and doing some initial research on what’s available can pay dividends here.

Make sure the speakers you are looking at, can adequately meet your connection requirements. You will need to take into account which player your speakers will be used with and a key point to factor in is what speaker connectors is required.

If buying a very old model, ensure that it won’t give you headaches and pains when it comes to future upgrades and repairs. When buying a home theater system, it is always wise to plan ahead a little for potential future upgrades. It should go without saying that an old speaker set you are looking at is free of defects and is unlikely to result in costly repairs shortly after purchase.

Don’t skimp on features and quality just to get the best price. If you think you will be dissatisifed with a set of speakers that will not deliver on your future needs, then you are probably not really saving anything by getting a limited model for a dirt-cheap price. Consider your future performance needs.

Ask around. It is always an excellent idea to ask people about their experience with speaker systems they have purchased and used. If you don’t know anyone, an alternative way of doing this is to read customer reviews on the Amazon website. These are left by people who have purchased the system you are interested in who have been kind enough to leave a comment on their experiences for all to read. Amazon sell almost every product in existance, so chances are they’ll have valuable information on the products you are interested in.

Customers who are dissatisifed with purchasing second hand products are usually the ones who have failed to put in the hard work to properly research the best available choices before making a buying decision. Impulse purchases often lead to poor purchasing decisions and general dissapointment. While it is certainly possible to find a good discount Bose Speaker set, consider how they fits your general audio requirements, both present and future, before getting too excited about cheap speakers.

Introduction to Basic Speaker Systems

Buying cheap speakers need not mean resorting to the lowest quality solution. A common misconception is that you need to spend a fortune for top quality sound and while it is true that one takes their chances buying a bottom dollar speaker system, if we are talking about computer or home sound system speakers, there are many great cheap audio speakers selling for around the $100 range.

But before exploring some of the better options, it first helps to have a basic understanding of the different types of speaker systems available. For the purposes of this article, we will only consider home speaker systems and not specialist options like car speaker systems. Some of the fundamental types of speakers include: Floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers, in-wall speakers, on-wall speakers, in-ceiling speakers, computer speakers and satellite combinations with subwoofer. Some of these overlap, for instance many more advanced types of computer speakers utilize a satellite, surround sound configuration, whereas not all surround sound configurations are designed primarily as computer speakers. The following is a summary of the above speaker types in turn:

Speaker Types

Satellite + Sub woofer Combination Speakers

This configuration is typically used in surround sound systems although a non-surround sound “2.1″ which comprises a pair of satellite speakers augmented by a subwoofer, is also a very popular setup. Satellite speakers are very easy to position in a room and occupy very little space. Cheap satellite speakers can offer extremely good sound quality.

Computer Speakers

Computer speakers range from the generic stereo cheap computer speakers to top-of-the-line options. Cheap 2.1 speakers are available and are a very attractive option for anyone seeking a superior audio experience. For those seeking a full surround-sound experience might prefer to seek cheap 5.1 speakers, which are a satellite + subwoofer package, with satellite speakers that can be positioned behind the user. A general rule of thumb is that while cheap pc speakers can be easily found and produce passable sound that might be quite suitable for work, to achieve the full multimedia experience of games or movies on your PC, a higher quality 2.1 speaker system or better is a bare minimum. The good news is that these don’t necessarily need to cost you the earth.

Floorstanding Speakers

Floor standing speakers or room speakers are generally the largest speakers you can buy. It is usually possible to purchase cheap floor standing speakers in the $100-200, with high-end prices ranging in the $1000′s. Floor speakers feature an enclosure that is optimized for the highest quality performance, making this type of speaker a popular choice amongst those seeking premium audio quality.

Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf speakers are smaller than floorstanding speakers, but share a lot of similarities. Being smaller they can as easily rest on the floor as they can be placed on a a bookshelf, mount or speaker stand. It is possible to use a subwoofer with smaller bookshelf speakers. Bookshelf speakers offer excellent performance and are more versatile than floorstanding speakers in terms of space. Cheap bookshelf speakers can usually be found selling for $25-50 with high-end bookshelf speakers typically selling for over $200.

In Wall Speakers

The primary advantage of in-wall speakers is that they are mounted within a wall and so take up zero floor space. In-wall speakers can even be given the same color scheme as the wall, effectively hiding them from view completely. In-wall speakers may require additional planning and might even require professional installation as setting up the wiring can often be troublesome, so factor this into your purchase. This makes them more burdensome when moving home, but if you have a knack for home improvement this is probably right up your street! Cheap in-wall speakers sell for under $100, with premium systems $500 or more.

In Ceiling Speakers

In-ceiling speakers is the same concept as in-wall speakers except that they are mounted in the ceiling directly above the viewer’s position. These are generally used as part of advanced surround sound systems. In-ceiling speakers – by their nature – can be difficult to install. Cheap ceiling speakers sell for under $25 and over $500 for a top quality speaker.

On Wall Speakers

Like in-wall speakers, on-wall speakers take up no floor space, but differ in that they are mounted on the wall and quite visible for all to see. Saying that some models can look quite attractive, complimenting a flat panel television quite well. On-wall speakers can deliver excellent sound quality, about as good as floorstanding speakers. Cheap on-wall speakers sell from $50, but usually sell for over $500 for a set of high end speakers.

Outdoor Speakers

If you are considering setting up an audio system that extends to the back yard, then there is a category of speakers designed specifically for outdoors use. Outdoor speakers are designed to withstand harsher outdoor conditions, are usually wireless and can even be shaped like a rock. You can find cheap outdoor speakers from almost every leading manufacturer, from Yamaha, Polk, Phoenixgold, Cables Unlimited and Bose outdoor speakers.

Speaker Basics

Cheap stereo speakers are the most basic configuration, consisting of just a left and right speaker. These smaller cheaper speaker pairs typically feature only one driver. so tend to offer less bass response. This will do just fine if you just want something to produce a basic sound at the cheapest possible price, but for at least a half-decent audio experience, you should look for at least a “2.1″ satellite system, comprising of two satellite speakers with subwoofer augmentation.

In subwoofer configurations, the job of the subwoofer is to produce the frequencies in the deep bass level – usually below 100Hz. Adding depth to kick drums, bass guitars, orchestras, synths as well as a degree of throttle to explosions in movies, a solid sub at reasonable volume offers an audio experience that you can “feel” as much as listen to.

The common perception for sub woofers is that “bigger is better” – or produces a more powerful sound, however this is not always true, for while more resonance is generated in a larger subwoofer, the crucial factor is the enclosure. Sound waves are generally conducted more effectively in a wooden enclosure rather than a plastic one. A host of outlets that accommodates the satellites is usually part of the sub-woofer and some subs have a separate volume control too.

Not all speaker packages include a subwoofer and some can produce great sounds without it, due to low-mid and low frequency drivers handling the bass response instead. But generally a subwoofer is a feature of a decent speaker system and the absence of one an indicator of a cheap speaker option of low quality.

Most professional-type speakers seem to be more of a 2-for-1 deal. If you look closely at them, some satellites have 2 different, smaller, speakers. These are called tweeters and mid-range speakers. The smaller tweeter is designed to transmit only high-pitched tones, while the larger mid-range provides sound from the middle of the sound spectrum. Not all speaker systems have both a tweeter and a midrange, especially the less-expensive sets. However, most speaker systems use a midrange to fulfill the duties of both a midrange and a tweeter.

A full surround sound speaker systems employ a central “channel” that handles movie dialogue, a subwoofer, a stereo pair and two or more satellite speakers for audio effects that occur behind you. If you’re a movie buff, your movie experiences can be improved significantly with a surround sound system provided you don’t mind a lot of wires and you have the space to accommodate the sound system.

Satellite speaker systems are defined by two numbers with a period in between – the first number denoting the number of individual satellite speakers in the set and the number after the period, the number of subwoofers.

2.1 and 5.1 systems are the most common types. 2.1 systems are generally sufficient for listening to music, as the mp3 format, the most popular media type for audio files is encoded in stereo, whereas the 5.1 system is a better alternative for modern day movie formats and video games.

Less common speaker systems are also available including 4.1 – essentially the same as 5.1 but without the central channel speaker. 6.1 and 7.1 speakers add additional satellites on top of the 5.1 system. These are not as widely supported and can be impractical, although the latest graphics cards are starting to support them indicating these may be the way of the future.

Buying Tips

How Much do You Have to Spend?

It is possible to fork out as little as $50 on a pair of good cheap speakers or pay well into the thousands. The good news is that some of the best cheap speakers can be had for a little over $100. (See our recommended buys).

There are many variables to consider when shopping around. One of the biggest selling points that systems will try and sell you on (and one of the biggest points of exaggeration) is the wattage capabilities of the system. Wattage is simply a measure of how loud and powerful the speakers can get to without the system blowing out. With a more powerful system the tones will not sound as “tinny”, but in actual fact there are two wattage ratings: RMS (root mean square) and normal (peak output under assumed, ideal conditions). Root mean square wattage is always less than the advertised “normal” wattage and is a better indicator to look for when buying a speaker set as it measures how much power can be handled safely for long periods of time.

When considering the average cheap home theater speakers, anticipate each satellite to have a power rating of about 3 to 10 watts. This might seem a little wimpy, but when you combine five 3-watt speakers, it can produce a considerable amount of noise! In surround sounds systems the central speaker is more powerful than the right or left satellites, however the majority of your system’s power consumption will be produced by the subwoofer, due to the large amount of energy that is required to produce lower tones.

A vital part of your speaker system is the wiring. The wires carry electronic signals that let the speakers know exactly how to vibrate and produce the desired sounds. You should avoid cheap speaker cable whenever possible as it increases the chance that the electrical signal – and the sound that is produced as a result will suffer in terms of quality degradation. You are essentially shooting yourself in the foot when trying to save money by purchasing cheap speaker wire. Heavy-duty speaker wire is always more desirable – they will be higher in quality and will suffer less damage and stretching over the longer period.

The majority of computer sound cards use analog connectors and accommodate three plugs from a 5.1 speaker system for front, center and back. Some higher end digital systems support digital plugs meaning in practice that only one plug needs to go in, but may require a compatible sound card. If you’re buying a sound speaker system for your computer, consider what type of sound card you own and if the speaker system you want to purchase is accommodated by it. Many higher quality speaker systems have adapters permitting connections with a a wide range portable audio players and video game consoles.

Of course cheap wireless speakers are becoming a more popular option these days, due to the improvement in wireless digital technology and ease by which they can be installed and moved about without getting the cables tangled up. Current-day wireless speaker systems transmit their encoded signals on 900MHz or 2.4Ghz range and allow a range of up to 150 feet from the system. This allows you to move speakers around the house with ease without loss of reception or to set up wireless outdoor speakers. Cheap wireless speaker systems can be purchased from under $100.

Certain, very expensive speaker sets have THX certification. These are the “cream-of-the-crop” speakers that are highly tuned to deliver the finest quality sound possible. These speakers have a crystal clear sound allowing for minimum distortion.

Consider Extra Features – Do They Matter?

When all other things being equal, the features offered in a set of audio speakers can be the deciding factor between purchasing two otherwise identical home speakers. Nice additions like extra treble and bass controls (allowing you to tailor your sound to your liking), music library management, auxiliary input for mp3 plays, mute button and remote control can tip the balance one way or another depending on what you fancy.

Connectivity – Supported Connections?

If you are looking at a speakers system for your computer, you might favor cheap USB speakers, but if your available USB slots are limited, the more conventional 3.5mm audio output “mini plug” connector might be more appropriate to your situation. Cheap powered speakers that are connected via USB often have their advantages such as additional features and special software that takes advantage of them. For example the ability to control iTunes via your speaker’s actual buttons.

Another buying consideration you need to make is to correctly match your speaker set with the receiver or amplifier that will result in the best performance. For example a speaker might have an ideal range of 30 to 100 watts of output power for optimum operation and this specification can be used to determine if your speaker will run well with your current amplifier.

Conclusion

Generally one associates cheap with lower quality and in the realm of the audio home theater speaker market that is true to a degree, however if you are on a tight budget or do not care for the pure perfection offered by a thousand dollar high end sound speaker system, then you’re in luck – for you do not need to fork out thousands for decent cheap speakers. There are many great cheap speaker systems available for a little over a hundred dollars and with technology constantly improving and coming down in price, you may even find your audio nivarna for less.

More Audio Speaker Information:

• Cheap Bose Speakers
• Home Speaker Systems (Articles)
• Mp3 Speakers
• Ceiling Speakers