When you think of the perfect home cinema, you picture enjoying your favourite new and old films on a grand screen in the comfort of your home, feeling every moment just as you would at the pictures. But it’s not just the stunning visuals and interesting cinematography choices made by directors that immerse us in what we’re seeing; it’s also the sound.
Incredible scores, subtle sound effects and the impact of spectacular dialogue can hit as hard as they do in the cinema when using high-quality speakers and systems used by professional movie theatres. Therefore, you need the right sound system to replicate the cinematic experience at home.
Luckily, you’re in the right place. We are experienced audio experts at Peter Tyson and we’re here to help you settle on the right sound system for your home cinema. We’ll take you through the different home cinema speakers and how they can suit your space individually so that you can make an informed decision.
Read on and take a big step in your home cinema journey.
Table of contents
- What home cinema speakers can I choose from?
- Best home cinema sound system for a small room
- Best sound system for large home cinema
- How to position my home cinema speakers
- Home cinema sound systems at Peter Tyson
What home cinema speakers can I choose from?
The sheer amount of audio options at your disposal can seem intimidating when you’re looking to build your home cinema, but we like to look at it as a great opportunity to find out what works for you and your space. Creating the perfect home cinema takes time and careful consideration of picture, sound, furniture, lighting and even accompanying ornaments or decoration.
Consult our table below to view your key options for a home cinema sound system:
| Sound System | Better for small or large rooms? | Budget needed |
| Soundbars | Small | Low-Medium |
| Surround sound | Large | High |
| Bookshelf speakers | Both | Any |
| Satellite Speakers | Small | Low-Medium |
Best home cinema sound system for a small room
Limited space shouldn’t take away from your home entertainment experience. Whether you’ve only got room for a sofa and a decent-sized TV, you can still create an immersive environment that helps you get lost in films and shows of your choice.
Plus, picking your preferred sound system will feel like having a unique VIP cinema experience right in your living room. When creating your small home cinema, you want audio equipment that packs a punch without intruding on your space.
Soundbars with subwoofers for home cinema
Soundbars make the perfect central channel for a small home cinema as they rest comfortably on your TV stand without getting in the way of the screen or being a distracting presence. In a small home cinema it’s safe to assume that you’ll be sat relatively close to your screen, so large speakers may not be necessary.
The subwoofer brings the cinematic feel to the fore. Deep bass capabilities and powerful sound help you engage with those nail-biting builds and exhilarating climaxes just as you would while at the cinema.
Imagine you’re watching Jurassic Park. With a soundbar, the big moments would still deliver as the soundbar vastly improves on normal TV audio, but a subwoofer helps you truly feel the roar of the T-Rex, while the soundbar focuses on the higher-pitched parts of the score.
While a monumental upgrade on built-in TV audio, this set-up can lack the sound encapsulating the room, which isn't impossible to recreate in a small space.
How to create surround sound in a small room
One possible solution is simply filling your space with speakers, but nobody wants that. Using bookshelf speakers is a method that provides that authentic cinematic experience in a small-medium room without cluttering your floor.
Bookshelf or on-wall speakers can be attached to walls or placed on bookshelves, stands, or any other furniture at a reasonable height to provide a surround sound-like experience. Paired with a subwoofer and soundbar, you can create a complete home cinema audio set-up for limited space.
Satellite speakers can also be a great fit when larger speakers aren’t practical. These speakers fit into any decor seamlessly and are a great entry point for beginners. Align with your main speaker and give your sound a boost.
The depth and range of your home cinema audio will be enhanced with any of these additions, and the best part is this can be put together with a medium budget or even a low one if you’re savvy.
Best sound system for large home cinema
If you’ve got a bigger room, and budget for that matter, to play with, then more audio options are available. The most exciting is a surround sound system, the closest you can get to recreating the authentic cinema experience. At Peter Tyson, we stock an incredible range of 5.1 surround sound systems so you can make every film night a personal red-carpet event.
The 5.1 indicates how many main channel speakers your system includes alongside the sole subwoofer that brings extra depth. A surround sound system has an AV receiver to facilitate an easy and stress-free set-up. Simply plug your speakers and screen into the relevant receiver terminals and adjust the volume to your liking for a customised and personalised sound.
If you have a little budget left over, maybe you saved on a home cinema TV or picked a great bundle, then why not spend that surplus on supporting speakers to complete the ultimate home cinema sound system? The versatility of bookshelf speakers comes in here. Not just ideal for creating a surround sound experience in smaller rooms, these speakers can complement your existing set-up in a larger home cinema.
How to position my home cinema speakers
Getting the positioning right is the key to getting the most out of your home cinema sound system. Consider your space, the size of your speakers, where you’ll be sitting and your screen. All factors combined will lead you to an ideal listening experience in which you hear every moment of your favourite flicks exactly as you’re supposed to.
How to position soundbars with subwoofers in a home cinema
With this set-up, your soundbar is your central channel. Place this on your TV stand ahead of your screen. The speaker's slender design and un-intrusive appearance should mean you won't notice it's there once you turn down the lights and turn on the film.
The goal of a subwoofer is to hear the deep sounds without being able to tell where that sound is coming from specifically. If it feels like you're getting the lower tones of the score in one ear more than the other, something isn't right. Getting this right can take a few trial runs, but in our experience the best position for the subwoofer is slightly to either side of the TV. This should be central enough for the sound to travel evenly around the room.
How to position home cinema surround sound speakers
A 5.1 sound system requires correct balance to have the intended cinematic effect you’re looking for. Get that incredible sound by building around your central channel. Place the main central speaker beneath your screen and your left and right surround sound speakers evenly to either side. Your left and right channels can be placed on stands or nearby shelves, or you can choose a bundle featuring floor-standing speakers.
To achieve the optimal surround sound experience, place your remaining speakers on either side of your seating area, ideally at ear level. You may be able to attach these to your wall or place them on stands beside your sofa, depending on your space and preference.
Like the soundbar set-up, place your subwoofer close to the centre channel to get the most out of your depth.
Home cinema sound systems at Peter Tyson
We're committed to providing our customers with the best possible service and products at Peter Tyson. With a wealth of audio experience, we’re a trusted source of knowledge and advice on creating the perfect sound system for your home cinema.
Our bundles are designed to make your set-up process as simple and stress-free as possible so you can focus on taking in the joys of your favourite movies and shows like you never have before in your home.
Still haven’t decided on your screen? Browse our home cinema projectors to complete the theatre look. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and a member of our expert team will be happy to help.
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