Home Speakers

Speakers are one of the most important parts of any audio system, which is why it is so important to choose the right ones. Choosing home speakers can be tricky though, which is why knowing a little bit about them before you buy can make the process much easier. The following is a primer on how speakers work and a few of the different types of speakers on the market.

A speaker is actually a very simple piece of technology- a speaker converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. The combination of parts includes a voice coil, a speaker cone, and a cabinet or case that holds all the pieces. The process of turning electrical energy into sound begins when your amplifier or receiver sends audio signals into your speakers. When that energy reaches the voice coil in the speaker, it creates a magnetic field that causes the speaker cone to vibrate, moving the air around it and creating sound. The speakers available today are designed with a range of features that create powerful sound. The styles available are nearly endless, and you can build your audio system with everything from large tower speakers that stand on the floor to tiny speakers that tuck into your wall or even wireless home speakers designed to blend into outdoor living areas. The following is a basic overview of different types.

Floor standing speakers: also called tower speakers, or home standing speakers are one of the most traditional types of speakers. They are larger than other types of speakers, and capable of reproducing a wide range of frequencies including deep bass. Floor speakers are more efficient than other types of speakers, which means you get more volume per watt of power. While floor speakers are more expensive than other types, they are also the best for large rooms that need a lot of sound.

Bookshelf speakers: are ideal for small rooms or if you are on a budget. Bookshelf speakers are smaller, made to fit on a shelf or stand, and still provide excellent performance. Because they are smaller than floor speakers, bookshelf speakers do not produce sounds in the low bass range as well, but this can be overcome with the addition of a powered subwoofer.

Center channel speakers: are a necessity if you want to produce realistic home theater sound. They are designed to produce a wide range of frequencies and are perfect for creating high quality sound that is necessary for proper delivery of dialogue and special effects in movies. Center channel speakers can be mounted around your TV or placed on a cradle.

Surround speakers: are a favorite choice for home theater speakers because they produce advanced sounds while taking up only a small amount of space. While primarily designed for high and mid range frequencies, their full, wraparound sound is ideal for most home theaters.

If you are just beginning to build up your home audio system, you should consider combining several types of speakers to get the full quality of sound - especially if all you have now is computer speakers. Beginners will want to read about acoustics and should consider whole-house systems whenever possible - especially if all . As you try different types of speakers, you will begin to develop an ear for what sounds best in your home. Choosing the right speakers will help you create the best possible experience whether you are watching movies or listening to music.