What is the best way to install a surround sound system?

Answer 1

Well, there are lots of things to consider when buying a surround sound system:

- the number of channels in the system (2.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc.)

- the wattage of the amplifier in the system (a 400 watt system is going to be louder than a 200 watt amplifier, for example)

- the wattage of each speaker in the system (again, the more watts, the louder the speaker)

- the source of your audio (your game console may only output audio on two channels, or perhaps as many as seven)

- the number of inputs/outputs you'll need (and the types of ports associated)

- your budget (of course)!

Be sure to check online retailers before going into a retail store - tigerdirect.com and newegg.com often have great prices on their audio equipment.

Also, don't be afraid to look for used/older systems! If all you need is a five channel system, and you don't mind using RCA cables (the red and white cables we all know and love), it's quite possible that you can find a complete system with speakers for under $50 at a local second-hand store!

Answer 2

Personally, I hate the sight of surround sound speakers. While some may like the look of the nice black, shiney cabinets all over the room, I think it adds more to the effect to have the cabinets hidden as well. What ya do is mount the speakers in the rear of the room where it is difficult to see them. A dropped ceiling works great for this as you can just put them up above the dropped ceiling pointing down, (Lay them on thier face.) If the speaker is too heavy lay it across a junction point in the support rails. If you do this right and conceal the wires in a molding strip you really get the effect of sound ""coming from nowhere"". If you don't have a dropped ceiling and must run wires along the baseboards, use flat cables and simply tuck them under the molding. But, camoflage the speakers wherever you put them. One way is to cover them in a piece of black felt. It looks good and even protects the speakers. Then you sit something decorative on top of them and it just looks like a little pedestal. This may seem like a bit of trouble, but to me it's worth it just to have a surround sound system that is invisible. It really adds to the effect to look in the direction of a creepy sound and not see where it came from!