Last month I stated that speakers are the greatest determinant of sound quality in your system. The performance of your speaker system, and its placement in your room, will largely dictate the overall sound you achieve in your home theater. So, in choosing a system logically, it is easy to see that speakers come first in the auditioning/buying process. Listen to as many as you can and decide on what works best for your room, budget, décor and, most importantly, your taste. From there the process is a little simpler because you will have a baseline established which will help narrow the field for the next step: electronics.

Looking at the speaker system you have chosen, you will need to determine what it will take to drive them. Proper amplification should come next in the assembly process because, without choosing carefully, those fancy new speakers will not sound anywhere near like they did in the showroom. There are several factors you need to consider. First, how many channels will you need now, and in the near future? For example, a basic 5.1 system, which includes a powered subwoofer, will require five channels of amplification (the powered subwoofer has its own built-in). Having determined the basic layout of the speakers in your room, you can determine how many channels, and in what configuration, you need to plan for. Are you going to plan for 6.1 (addition of a center-surround speaker), for example? Well, if you have your surrounds placed on the sidewalls and ample space behind the listening position, then maybe. If, like me, your rear speakers are behind the listening position and spaced fairly narrowly then no. Planning for the future is fine, but if you’re certain you can’t accommodate a feature, why spend money on it, especially when it can be better allocated to other places in the system where it will make a difference. When you decide on the number of channels you will buy for, then a proper receiver or amplifier can be sought out.

How much power will you need? That depends primarily on your speakers, listening habits, and the size of your room. If you listen at reference levels and have a big room, you will need a lot of juice. A small apartment system will be less demanding of course. Regardless, it is best to buy a power amplifier with good load-driving ability, which denotes a quality power supply and ample reserves. Your speakers may be rated at 8 ohms, but they may dip significantly lower than that, which means it will be a tougher task for your amplifier to drive them. To be on the safe side, it is advisable to buy a receiver/amplifier that is specified to drive lower impedances (lest you think this is necessarily expensive, there are several receivers under $500 with this ability that come to mind). Look hard at the specs on this one, and be sure to ask your dealer. Even better: audition the receiver with your speaker system either at home or at the dealership. If your speaker system includes main speakers with built-in powered subwoofers, you may be able to get by with less power (because low bass takes a lion’s share of the power), but it is also advisable to buy the most clean power you can for quality purposes. Dialogue may just loaf along, but when those explosions start, the headroom in your amplifier will be tested, and clipping can be pretty nasty. When auditioning an amplifier or receiver in a dealer’s showroom, have the salesman push the system a bit and listen for a change in sound quality. Does the system sound strained? Does the receiver shut down?

Next up are processing functions. If you buy a receiver, this will be a consideration when choosing the amplification. If you are purchasing separates, you will be looking at stand-alone components. My advice is to buy the processing functions that you will need most, such as Dolby Digital, DTS and in the coming months, Pro Logic II, but don’t get too caught-up in having the cutting edge. Much like computers, there will always be something more advanced in the works. Also, examine just what the more expensive versions are offering, as these functions (like one more zone in a multi-room configuration) may not be applicable to your environment anyway. A very important consideration is ease of setup and day-to-day use; can you and your family operate the thing? Have the dealer show you how the setup works, and how to access the menus. Can your spouse operate the remote? Is it fairly straightforward and intuitive, or is it like programming an older VCR? Finally, will the unit accommodate your current gear (if any)?

As for DVD players, most inexpensive players offer good performance these days as our own Doug Blackburn has mentioned, so don’t overspend in this area. Additionally, since the processing functions are handled by your receiver/processor, don’t duplicate these functions in the DVD player. That will cost you more, and provide no additional benefit.