Home theater systems are very popular nowadays. They provide a movie theater experience within the comfort of your home. A home theater system is complete only with the right projector choice.
A 4K projector is a popular home theater option due to its high picture quality. Certain audio systems are also used along with the projectors for an immersive audio experience. A good sound system is essential for the best home theater system.
The section below studies the best home theater systems, 4K projectors, and sound systems to pair with the 4K projectors.
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4K Projectors and The Need for Extra Audio Systems
4K projectors are the latest addition to a home theater setup. With a high resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, they offer the best image quality. They stream high-quality content in a real-life-like clarity.
As 4K home projection is a relatively newer technology, there are several areas in which it is lacking. For example, it exhibits severe input lag, making it unsuitable for quicker activities like gaming.
Likewise, it is lacking in sound quality too. The sound quality that it exhibits is not very impressive. So, when using 4K home projectors in home theater systems, adding additional speakers to have better sound effects becomes essential.
There are many audio options with impressive audio quality that suits a budget home theater system. The following section details the best sound systems and their unique features.
Different Types of Home Theater Audio Systems Available
Home theater audio systems come in a large variety of sizes and types. Each of them has unique qualities. But understanding them better helps you plan your home theater system better.
The different types of sound systems for a home theater system are:
- Sound Bar
- 2.0 or 2.1 Audio System
- 7.1 or 5.1 Surround Sound System
- Dolby Atmos Sound System
Each of the sound systems is discussed in detail below.
Sound Bar
The Soundbar sound system is the smallest speaker system available. It comes with many intelligent features. It is easy to set up and use.
A sound bar surround sound system only contains two elements: the sound bar and an optional subwoofer. A subwoofer provides a deep bass to the stereo system.
Soundbars have a simple user interface. The amplifier comes within the soundbar. So, no specific arrangements are necessary for a sound bar.
You can connect a sound bar to the sound output of devices like a Blu-ray player and play it immediately. It produces an immersive sound experience without multiple speakers.
Soundbars contain in-built speakers that send sound waves in multiple directions. These waves reflect on various surfaces to produce a good surround sound experience.
But they do have certain downsides too. They don’t perform as well as a large surround sound system setup with multiple speakers.
Also, the in-built speakers are arranged within the sound bars in a narrow space. This causes the sound effect to not create the true surround sound. So, for a game console or a movie experience, sound bars affect the audio quality.
2.0 or 2.1 Audio System
2.0 or 2.1 audio system is popularly used with 4K projectors. As the name suggests, this sound system comes with two speakers. You can also add a subwoofer to the system. The .1 of the name indicates this optional subwoofer.
It is much bigger than sound bars. So, it does need some floor space to operate. You can have a bounce sound from this system by using the subwoofer.
The main two speakers of this audio system can be in-wall, floor-standing, or bookshelf speakers. But as a center speaker is absent here, this sound technology cannot be named the best surround sound system.
Another drawback of this sound system is connecting the two speakers to a stereo receiver. The speaker wires can get a bit messy. So, it is not the most convenient audio system for a 4K projector.
And it is a known fact that stereo speakers or bookshelf speakers cannot match the fantastic sound quality of immersive surround sound systems.
7.1 or 5.1 Surround Sound System
7.1 or 5.1 surround sound system provides better sound quality than even the best soundbar. This system places several speakers around the projector screen. The projector screen comes in the very middle of the sound system.
A 5.1 surround sound system contains a center speaker, left and right speakers, and left and right surround speakers with an optional subwoofer.
For a 7.1 speaker system, two more speakers are added to the 5.1 arrangement. That is a total of seven speakers and an optional subwoofer. These extra two speakers in a 7.1 system will be placed behind the viewer.
The major downside of this surround sound system is the speaker wire. There is more than enough speaker wire present with all these speakers, making it very difficult to move around freely in the room.
In this system, the center channel speaker will be placed just under the screen. A 5.1 surround sound system together provides an impressive surround sound. Each of the surround speakers serves specific roles to produce the best surround sound.
Center Speaker
The center speaker of a 5.1 surround sound system is responsible for conversational sounds. As the center speaker is right below the projector screen, the viewer feels like the dialogues are coming straight from the characters.
The center speaker must be of high quality to have the best dialogue clarity.
Front Speakers
Front speakers in a 5.1 surround sound system are two: left and right. They give out the sounds produced on the left and right sides of the screen.
So, when a thing moves from left to right on the screen, the left speaker produces higher audio when it is at left, and the right speaker produces higher audio at right. This complimentary functioning of the front speakers adds to the reality of sound production.
These speakers also add a real touch when using the screen for gaming.
Rear Speakers
The two rear speakers of the 5.1 surround sound system are helpful when there is a need for immersive sound. To provide a surround sound experience, these rear speakers are the best.
They mainly produce sounds like rain, waterfalls, wind, etc.
Subwoofer
The subwoofer of 5.1 sound systems helps give out deep bass sounds. That is the low-frequency sounds that are important for the surround sound quality.
The placement of the subwoofer is not very important. Because the low-frequency sounds from the subwoofer are not easy to identify by human ears. So, you will feel no difference in hearing low-frequency sounds despite the subwoofer’s placement.
Dolby Atmos Sound System
A Dolby Atmos sound system is similar to a 7.1 or 5.1 system. This best surround sound system has several overhead speakers too. The remaining speakers are similar to the 5.1 speaker system.
The overhead speakers of the Dolby Vision system make sure to produce the best surround sound. Because the speakers above improve the sound quality and provide a 3D effect to the experience.
The Dolby Atmos sound system was the audio tool for major Hollywood films and stage shows. It was only recently that it was brought to the home theater industry.
The 4K projectors and Dolby Atmos sound system could provide a real-life-like visual experience to the viewers.
Ordinary speakers and speakers with wireless connections are available in this section. Wireless connectivity reduces the difficulties related to the wires.
This audio system is also compatible with flat-panel TVs. Using Dolby digital technology, you can also convert an existing surround sound system with five or seven speakers into Dolby Atmos surround sound.
They also support smart features like Wi-Fi connectivity and Google Assistant. The sound effect produced by Dolby Atmos surround sound system is much better than most other speaker systems.
How Can You Choose the Right Audio System for Your Home Theater?
It would be helpful if you always looked for certain basic features before purchasing an audio system for your home theater. The section below mentions some features that make the best surround sound system.
Audio Performance
Audio performance is an essential feature of a sound speaker system. A good sound speaker system provides clear sounds.
The distance does not affect the audio performance of the best surround sound system. Check whether the left and right speakers produce varying sound intensities, which is essential for a great movie or gaming experience.
Compatibility
The sound system needs to be compatible with many devices. If you have an audio system that is only compatible with projectors, you can’t make the best use of the money spent on it.
Instead, you can pick a surround sound system compatible with laptops, smartphones, etc. This will help you use them as music players or in-game consoles.
Durability
Durability is essential for a surround sound system because it generally costs a decent sum. So, buying a sound speaker system with low quality would only end up in you losing money.
While checking durability, always look for the system’s shockproof, waterproof, and dustproof features.
Wireless Subwoofer
A wireless subwoofer makes it extremely easy to use a sound system. Also, subwoofers are available in various sizes. So, purchasing a compact subwoofer can further ease the usage of the system.
Summary
4K projectors are the latest sensation in the home theater industry. They provide the best images with high quality. To complement these high-quality images, a strong sound system is essential.
There are many sound systems available for a 4K projector. Some are soundbars, 2.0 or 2.1 sound systems, 5.1 surround sound systems, Dolby Atmos surround sound systems, etc.
Each of the products mentioned above has a different number of speakers. This varying number of speakers influences the audio quality and clarity.
By closely checking the audio performance, compatibility, durability, etc., of each of the sound system models, you can find the best one for your 4K projector.
FAQs
1. Can you use a sound system with a projector?
Yes, you can always use an external sound system with a projector if the audio quality of the projector screen is not enough. There are many models available in the sound system industry. You can choose the best one by analyzing the audio performance and durability of the product.
2. Can I use sound bars with projectors?
Sound bars are lightweight devices that are ideal to use with projectors. Sound bars have built-in speakers that produce immersive audio without any extra equipment.
3. How much does a good 4K projector cost?
A good 4K projector can cost anywhere between $ 1500 to $ 5000. There are even models that cost beyond $ 5000. Such projectors always incorporate intelligent features like Wi-Fi connectivity and Google Assistant.
I’m Steven Berry and I’m the proud owner of an electronics store. With years of experience in the industry, I’m passionate about providing top-quality projectors to customers who want to take their entertainment or business presentations to the next level. Browse my store and let me help you find the perfect projector for your needs.
