When you set out to buy a pair of speakers, there are a bunch of factors to consider. Do you want tower or bookshelf speakers? And, perhaps most importantly, how much time can you spend auditioning different models? Do speakers need running in
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably sold on the idea of adding speakers to your home entertainment setup. Even so, you might want to print out this page and save it for later. After all, your search for the “perfect set of speakers” isn’t over yet.
Stereos and home theaters are two of the most popular uses for speakers. But, like all things audio, your options vary depending on your budget, your needs, and your listening habits.
Related Article: Do Speakers Need Burn-in?
Why do you want to add speakers to your home theater?
If all of these questions were answered “yes,” then you’ll need speakers for your home theater. Speakers come in many different shapes and sizes.
If you’re looking for a set of towers, check out bookshelf speakers if there’s no space for towers. And, if it’s a budget issue, there are options within every price range. The key is to find speakers that best suit your needs.
Why do you want to add speakers to your stereo?
Maybe you’re a music buff and need to hear every detail in the recording. Maybe you want to feel the bass as much as hear it. Or maybe you’re just tired of listening to your music through your computer speakers or TV speakers.
Whatever the reason, most people come up with one of these two options:
1) Buy a stereo that includes a receiver and some satellite speakers.
2) Add a set of bookshelf speakers to an existing stereo system.
If you’re considering option 1, consider this: If you already have a home theater, adding a receiver might not be necessary. So, what do you get if you go with option 2?
Do you have to run speakers in?
No. When you buy a pair of speakers, they’re “broken in” during manufacturing to ensure the voice coils are at their full efficiency for years to come. So if you have an extra 12 hours on your hands and want to be really thorough about it, go ahead and break them in by playing music for 12 hours straight. But don’t worry about it if you don’t have the time!
When considering size, think about where you plan to put your speakers. Bookshelf or tower? If you’re looking for better sound quality and space is not an issue, bookshelf are preferable because they produce more detailed sound than tower speakers with smaller woofers. On the other hand, tower speakers provide more volume because of their bigger woofers.
#2 Type of speaker
There are two types of speakers: active and passive. Active speakers contain a built-in amplifier that’s powered by plugging into an electrical outlet or using batteries—so no need for a receiver. Passive speakers require a separate amplifier (which may or may not be included) and need to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet or receiver.
No power source required; lists as one item on your check-out screen No installation required; plugs directly into the wall Affordable; less expensive than active models In case of power outage, all sound stops Less features (you’ll need a receiver
What kind of sound are you looking for?
Some folks are content with the sound they get from their TV speakers or computer speakers. If you want to hear every nuance of your music, though, you might need a set of bookshelf speakers. They’re usually smaller and easier to place in different parts of your room, which means you’ll enjoy better stereo separation (a wider sound stage).
If you want something bigger and more powerful, tower speakers might be the way to go. They have more power, so they’ll fill a larger room nicely. And if you’re looking for an all-in-one entertainment solution for your home theater, then a set of surround sound speakers are perfect for you.
Another consideration is whether or not you have a subwoofer. A subwoofer adds low frequency sounds that most other speaker systems lack. Whether it’s a booming bass line in your favorite song or an explosion in a movie trailer, subwoofers make these sounds clearer and louder.
In some cases, they can even help extend the life span of your other speakers by taking over the lower frequencies that would otherwise damage them.
Finally, think about how much time you spend auditioning different models before buying them. If this is just something you want to get done as quickly as possible so that you can move on with your day — then online shopping makes sense for you. But if this is an investment that will impact how much enjoyment you get out of watching movies or listening to music (or both), then
Do speakers need burn in?
Some speakers will sound “better” if you let them burn in for an extended period of time. Some manufacturers recommend letting a new set of speakers run for 100 hours before you give your final opinion about the sound quality.
But is it worth it to dedicate that much time?
The answer is, quite literally, up to you.
Some people find that their speakers continue to get better over time, while others find that they have the same opinions after only 20 hours of break-in time.
So, try playing your speakers continuously for a day or two and see what you think. You can always break them in more if you end up liking the sound.
Do speakers sound better after break in?
Speakers don’t need “break in” time. They are designed to be played right out of the box and will sound good immediately. Some brands require a speaker break in period before they will sound their best, but most of them don’t.
A speaker’s physical components can affect how well it sounds. But, when you set out to buy speakers, these components are typically not your concern. You’re more concerned with the quality of the parts that are easily seen and heard (such as the size or type of drivers).
Some people believe that speakers need to be “broken in” before they will sound their best. This is not true. Speakers are designed to be played right out of the box and will sound good immediately.
Manufacturers may want you to believe that speakers should be “broken-in” because they want you to buy new ones sooner, but this isn’t necessary. The only reason why there would be a speaker break-in period is if they were selling low-quality speakers that barely sounded any better than a couple dollars worth of cheap speakers from Wal-Mart – which doesn’t seem too likely considering the price range for most models on this list!
Do speakers need an enclosure?
No, speakers do not need a box or enclosure.
There are two main types of speaker designs:
1) the open back, which is typically used for home theater (and other applications where deep bass is desirable), and
2) the closed back, which is designed to be used as a stereo speaker (and can also be used in home theaters).
Open back speakers have a rear chamber with an opening that allows sound waves to escape and resonate. The effect is a richer, more full sound. Closed back speakers have the rear chamber sealed off so that only sound waves directed forward can escape. This produces tighter bass response.
You’ll want to decide which type is right for you based on your listening habits. If you usually listen to classical music or jazz and want a more natural sound, open backs might be best for you. On the other hand, if you’re mostly into rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop and want crisp low end, closed backs are probably your style.
Do subs get louder after break in?
Do speakers need running in?
No. The break-in process is a myth and the sound quality of speakers doesn’t change over time.
If you’re looking for the best value, then speakers are available in a variety of sizes and prices. You can find bookshelf, tower, on-wall, or in-ceiling speakers to suit your space and budget.
Speakers come with different types of drivers that affect the sound they produce. For example, most speaker systems have a woofer (the speaker inside the cabinet that reproduces bass frequencies), a midrange driver (the speaker that produces midrange frequencies), and a tweeter (the speaker that produces high frequencies). Manufacturers will usually denote these drivers in their product descriptions to help you decide what’s best for your needs.
Speakers range from inexpensive models under $100 to expensive models costing more than $1,000. It’s important to factor in the size of your room when choosing the right set of speakers for your entertainment setup.
FAQS
Speakers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most popular speaker types are bookshelf, tower, and satellite speakers.
Speaker size is an important consideration when selecting your new set of speakers. For example, larger speakers typically have more bass than smaller ones because they can handle a wider range of frequencies and produce louder volumes at lower costs to power consumption. When you’re shopping for a set to place on your desk at home, it’s best to consider one that’s about 20 inches tall or less so it doesn’t clash with your work surface too much. But if you’re looking for something to put in the living room or den, you’ll probably want something taller like 30-36 inches tall so they stand out more prominently against your decorating scheme and ceiling height in general.
Cabinet type can also be an important factor when
Conclusion
Speakers are a piece of equipment you can use for just about any purpose, whether it’s for a home theater to play your favorite movies or for a stereo to listen to your favorite tunes.
You may be wondering what all the fuss is about and whether you need to break in your speakers before you use them.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about speakers, including breaking in and enclosures.
