The way that we consume music, as well as other media, has significantly changed over the years. Nonetheless, some things remain the same, or at least similar. Even today, we have those classic home stereo systems, that help you enhance your home entertainment experience. Yes, they've most definitely evolved and have become more complex and delicate, so there are a few things that you should be aware of. In this brief guide, we'll walk you through all of the basics and explain what you should know about home stereo systems.
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Speaker Configuration
Although the word "stereo" in "home stereo" has become synonymous with these audio entertainment systems, there's a reason behind that. Almost exclusively, all of these systems come with two output channels and two speakers. This is a standard that was originally developed way back in the 1930s and has remained even to this day. And all of the music and films recorded since then almost exclusively come with two channels, left and right, giving us a detailed "sound field." Therefore, home stereo entertainment systems almost always come with two speakers.
Some entertainment systems may also come with a woofer (bass speaker) with an integrated amplifier and other components. This is usually the case when the speakers come with drivers that reproduce only the mids and high-ends. Some cheaper systems may come with simplified speakers with only one driver for mids and high-ends.
There are, of course, other configurations, like 5.1 and 7.1 systems. Although not as common for home entertainment systems, they still rely on the regular stereophonic principles. 5.1 and 7.1 variants were developed from the Dolby Stereo technology, first introduced in the mid-1970s.
Stereo Amplifier
Although it can be in different shapes and forms, home entertainment systems need to have an amplifier that would increase and process the signal strength before it goes through the speakers. It's basically the "heart" of every home stereo system. The amplifier can come as a separate unit, or as an integrated part of a larger system. In some cases, it can be combined with just a woofer.
Separate standalone amplifiers are somewhat of an "old school" approach. You're able to combine different components and create a customized system. But this is usually much more expensive and impractical compared to modern fully-functioning units.
Sound Source(s)
Of course, things wouldn't really make any sense without a sound source. While back in the day this included turntables, CD players, radio receivers, audio cassette players, and, in some cases, other lesser-known formats.
As the years went by, home stereo systems started coming with auxiliary inputs that allowed any device with an audio output to be connected to it. This not only found use with portable music players but also television sets and computers.
Wired or Wireless?
For plenty of years, we had so many different examples of standard wired stereo systems. However, with the rise of wireless technologies, especially the development of Bluetooth, new options opened up. Using modern-day devices like smartphones, laptops, or tables, you can use them as a sound source paired with your home stereo system and not bother with any kind of cables.
Should I Use Powered Speakers?
For those who are not familiar, powered speakers (also known as "active" speakers) come with integrated amplifiers. In practical terms, this means that you can use them to create a super-simple setup at home. And this is what some classic vinyl record lovers prefer. Just connect them to your precious turntable, turn them on, and you're ready to rock! And they not only save a lot of space but often even come with a wireless Bluetooth connection that comes in handy for other types of devices as well.
Fully-Integrated Stereo Systems
One of the most practical solutions to everyone's needs is an "all-in-one" home stereo system. The concept is far from a new thing, and it became especially popular during the 1980s and the 1990s. And while things have advanced since then, the main principles are the same. You have a whole entertainment system that supports multiple formats, including CDs, USB drives, SD cards, and, interestingly enough, vinyl records and cassette tapes. These units also come with a radio receiver and an integrated power amp, full-range speakers, remote controls, and, almost exclusively, a Bluetooth receiver.
Home stereo systems can come with detachable speakers or integrated ones. We'd rather recommend those that have mobile speakers that you can position anywhere you'd like in your room. Aside from the sound quality and room acoustics, which are the most important goals here, having separate speakers may also have some aesthetic advantages.
Advanced Features
At this point, remote controls and integrated Bluetooth receivers are a must for every home entertainment system. However, there are some other fairly advanced features that we can see today. For instance, you can get a multi-room system. The main unit works at the source and you can add as many wireless speakers as you like. And then, using an app, you can play (or stop) music on any of these speakers. What's more, some of these work with virtual assistants like Siri, Amazon's Alexa, or Google Assistant.
The best part is that these are not even that expensive if you need a basic multi-room system. You can just enjoy music without tripping on cables around your home.
Output Power
One of the main things to consider is the desired output power for your home stereo system. When it comes to "all-in-one" systems, you can just get what you want and not think about matching your amplifier with a speaker. However, things might get a little tricky if you're planning to buy individual components. If you plan on going with the second option, then you'll need to have speakers that can support your desired amp's output power (also known as "RMS" and expressed in watts). Or, you can go the other way around. First, choose the speakers that you like, and then find an amp that won't blow them up.
Conclusion
Whatever your preferences might be, we have good news – the market is filled with many different options. You'll just need to think of the same old rules that pretty much apply to anything: the more you play, the chances are that you'll get a better sound.
Looking at current trends, everything is gravitating towards "smart" technologies. With this in mind, we would advise you to look more into home stereo systems with multi-room connectivity.