In many ways, the best home theater audio systems are a matter of personal taste. The quality of sound that you prefer is something intrinsic to you. Some people love to have a deep throbbing bass shake their solar plexus, or to feel as though big-budget cinematic explosions might take their house along with them. Others have a strong visceral reaction against any kind of harshness or too much brightness in sound. Some people have hearing loss which makes them want a system which can boost and clarify the treble range, and still others think that boosted bass just sounds muddy and detracts from great music.

Choosing Components in Your Audio System

In addition to the way your mind and body respond to sound, there's also the matter of your space to consider. Your dream home theater audio system in your dream house is probably not the right system for your college dorm room or the two bedroom apartment you share with a roommate in a 24 story building. The system you choose many be informed by professional reviews--but personal taste, space, and budget are often much greater deciding factors.

You have a number of options in terms of how you set up your home theater audio system. Some people value convenience and aesthetics, so they want in-wall speakers with wall plates to hide cables. Others have to save space so they buy pre-packaged sets of miniature speakers which will provide 5.1 channel surround sound for the lowest price possible. Still others would rather have the best 2.1 channel system possible, instead of having lesser quality in a 5.1 channel system for the same price.

That being said, there are ways to optimize the performance of any system which can be objectively measured. If you've ever lost an internet connection or found yourself saying, "What? Huh? What?" through static over the phone, you have a reasonable analogy for the importance of cable to an audio system. The quality of the source and of the receiver are subject to the quality of the cables you use. In addition to buying cable of a caliber comparable to that of your components, make sure that you have enough that it can be connected without being pulled tight. Also, never put it somewhere where it will be crimped, or where pressure will be applied by people walking or sitting on it.