How to Get Superior Sound in Your Custom Home Theater

When you first conceive of building a custom home theater in your Moorestown, New Jersey house, you probably think of a beautiful projector-and-screen combination. In a dark room, the bright images from your favorite movies flickering in front of you. But there’s more to crafting a superior home theater than achieving perfect picture quality; you need a sound system that can really kick. Of course, true surround sound is frequently more than the sum of its parts, so we’ve put together this guide to give you some tips on how to design a home theater with great audio. Read on to find out more.

See More: The Top 4 Ways to Maximize Video Display in Your Custom Home Theater

Delve Deep Into Immersive Audio

If you’ve done any research into the latest surround sound systems, you’ve probably come across the term immersive, or “3D” audio. Everything from sound bars to complete 9.2.1 speaker systems are advertising the format. But what does it mean?

Essentially, it means that the sound reaches you from three angles, making you feel like you’re completely surrounded by sound, hence the “immersive” moniker. In the case of sound bars, this means the internal speakers are positioned to shoot directly toward you, to the sides, and upward. Full multi-channel systems, like Dolby Atmos and Auro3D, feature speakers actually installed above your head, in addition to the ones in front of and behind you, for a totally enveloping experience. Each system utilizes your theater’s acoustics to create an effect similar to what you would get in a commercial theater.

Acoustic Treatments are Essential

Speaking of your theater’s acoustics: you won’t get optimal sound without a room specifically treated for it. Why? Because audio components only provide sound; they still need the right environment to sound good.

While the science of sound can get pretty complicated, the basics are simple. Hard, flat surfaces reflect sound, causing echoes. Soft surfaces absorb sound, potentially making it seem muffled. The trick to proper acoustic treatments in your theater is creating the perfect balance of hard and soft surfaces for the sound to fully resonate. Every home theater is different, so it’s important to carefully plan out where to arrange the treatments without overwhelming the theater with echoes or absorption.

Seating Arrangement is Key

One of the more frequently overlooked aspects of home theater design is the type and placement of seating. Many homeowners get caught up on the aesthetics – avoiding bulky furniture in a frequently used space – or choose seating due to social reasons – preferring a couch to individual chairs so the whole family can come together.

The fact is, though, that the right type of seating is one of the key aspects of creating a great sounding theater. The position of the seats should be among the first things you decide for the room. Where you sit will determine where to put the speakers (and how big your screen should be).

The best bet for great audio is customized theater chairs. They offer the support you need without blocking the sound from reaching your ears. They are also usually plush enough to absorb the sound, adding to your existing acoustical treatments. Since they are generally made in dark colors like brown and black, you won’t have to worry about light reflecting back to the screen and washing out the image.

Is your custom home theater achieving peak sound performance? If not, contact us today.