Shopping for speakers is pretty straight forward. The only thing you really need to know is that speakers are rated by their maximum power capacity expressed in watts (W). The greater the speaker's rated power, the louder it will be.
For a home theater system you will need a surround sound decoder and an amplifier to process input signals (from DVD players, Blu-Ray players, CD players, Radio Tuners, etc.) and output them to your speakers. How many speakers you need is another consideration:
* A 5.1 Surround Sound system will require five speakers
* A 7.1 Surround Sound system will require seven speakers
* A 2.1 Speaker System while not a true surround sound setup, is a commonly sold setup
** Equipped with 2 speakers and a subwoofer.
** 2.1 Systems are excellent starter packages as a gateway into more advanced surround sound setups
* A subwoofer is optional but highly recommended
You may also consider hifi.
Wireless speakers are also available, and are the most recommended option. You will need a wireless receiver to accommodate them, though. Home theater systems are notorious for leaving your living room looking like Spiderman's bedroom, and wireless speakers will help to cut down on the excess wiring and webs.
Speakers
Again, speakers are rated according to their output power. Here are some searches for speakers by maximum rated power:
* 30 W Speakers
* 50 W Speakers
* 100 W Speakers
* 150 W Speakers
* 200 W Speakers
** 100 W - 200 W is an excellent rating for home use
** This range will provide plenty of power to keep your equipment working in its mid range
** Equipment working in its mid range is less likely to "blow-out"
* 250 W Speakers
* 300 W Speakers
* 400 W Speakers
* 500 W Speakers
** With speakers above 300 W be ready to get angry calls from the neighbors
Also, consider some options available with speakers:
* Hi-Fi Speakers
* Wireless Speakers
* Speakers are also sold in sets intended for a specific surround sound application
** 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers
** 7.1 Surround Sound Speakers
True audiophiles might consider purchasing speakers manufactured by the Bose corporation, a long time industry leader, Bose is also at the forefront of development. Their equipment tends to be more expensive, but often worth the price to the dedicated audiophile. Other corporations also produce excellent speakers, such as Yamaha and Boss, usually at more reasonable prices.
Subwoofers are also important, though not mandatory. A subwoofer reproduces low frequency (bass) sounds with greater fidelity than non-dedicated speakers. With subwoofers go for a higher power one, generally. Bass won't typically wake up the neighbors.
* 100 W Subwoofers
* 200 W Subwoofers
* 300 W Subwoofers
* 400 W Subwoofers
* 500 W Subwoofers
* Wireless Subwoofers
Speaker Accessories
You'll need some mounting regime to keep your speakers in place, especially if you intend to go up high with them. You may also need some speaker wire if you have not opted for wireless systems.
* Speaker Mounts and Speaker Brackets for fixing your speakers in place
** Some brackets hold multiple speakers, an ideal situation if you intend to have a bank of multiple speakers in one location
* Speaker Pedestals are attractive
* Speaker Wire for hooking up
Top Sellers
Here are some of the top selling speakers on the market today: