Music has always been an important part of socializing and it has never been easier to access it than it is today. In this tech age, anyone with a phone and a speaker can start a party. However, not all sound systems are made equally. Anyone and everyone can appreciate the difference between a makeshift setup and one that is set up with precision and a purpose.
It is quite unnecessary to redo an entire room that you remodel to fit the most high-end, top-of-the-range gear. A few thoughtful purchases and attention to the finer details within the space can elevate your entire music or movie viewing experience. Here are a few lessons on how to boost your sound system at home.
Choose Your Speaker Based on Your Primary Use
Surround Sound
The first thing that needs to be said is, do not buy a bunch of speakers. Less is definitely more when it comes to sound quality and enjoyment. You only really need two or three speakers when it comes to listening to music.
You need one for the right and one for the left, to deliver right and left stereo sound, and then a subwoofer to boost the bass. This is referred to as either 2 channel or 2.1-channel.
When music is mixed it is typically recorded with this basic stereo output in mind. There are no advantages when it comes to adding additional speakers when you just want to listen to music.
However, when your priority is to watch TV and movies, you can upgrade your TV sound with a surround sound system to really elevate your experience. This isn’t to say that you can’t play music on a surround sound system, but choose your sound system based on what your primary use of it will be.
Soundbars
Another option for a great movie experience is a soundbar. Soundbars condense multiple speakers into a single unit and are a popular alternative to the traditional, multi-speaker setup.
They are designed to optimize your TV and film viewing but are not a good option for music. As the speakers are a single unit they cannot be separated, which might ruin your listening experience. This leads us to our next lesson, positioning, and placement of the speakers.
Speaker Positioning and Placement Matters
Angle Your Speakers
Speakers are directional devices. The cleanest audio will come from speakers that are directed towards you, or in a specific direction that has a specific impact. Aiming the speakers in a preferred direction will reduce the amount of audio distortion you experience. You also need to consider the placement of a speaker in a room. Consider moving your speaker and seating around until you have the best of both.
Put Bookshelf Speakers On Stands
Bookshelf speakers might sound like a cool idea, but the idea is often better than the execution. Bookshelves absorb a lot of sounds, which takes away from your audio experience. They can also vibrate, causing subtle audio distortion and annoying buzzing. Mounting speakers on stands is a much better option and can make your speakers sound much cleaner.
Physical Limitations Can Be Easily Fixed
Amplify Your Speakers
In the most basic of terms, an amplifier can be a booster of speaker volume. It allows you to put extra power into your speakers. Some even come with something called a “pre-amp”, which cleans up the sound before it leaves the speaker, for a louder, less scratchy sound. This is, however, quite unnecessary as the sound quality with an additional amp is already fair, especially if you are not looking to spend a lot on an update.
Check Your Streaming Settings
Streaming services have the option for high-quality files, but technology is temperamental. Sometimes you need to actively go in and change settings to improve the audio quality.
Close The Curtains
Sound waves change and are absorbed as they move through space. Audio can get quite distorted when it interacts with glass. Closing your curtains can significantly increase the resonance of space, improving your sound quality. Glass tabletops are also guilty of distorting sound, so consider solid tops of wood, or stone for a warmer sound.
There you have it. A few lessons that we learned so that you don’t have to. We hope that this has been a helpful guide and that it was able to help you solve any sound issues you may be experiencing.
