Home Theater Stuff Guide

Consumer Guide Home Theater System Reviews
Want all the details about a home theater system? Check out Consumer Guide's home theater system reviews to compare features, performance and overall value on systems from Bose, Yamaha, Sony, Panasonic, JVC and more. Not sure what you should be looking for? Start by reading the Home Theater System Buying Guide, which explains the basics of surround sound, amplifiers, speakers and how to get the most boost for your buck.
Compare Prices on Home Theater Systems
If you're shopping for a home theater system, you're going to have lots of options, from basic $300 systems to high-end setups that cost thousands. But even the same product can cost more or less depending on the seller. To ensure you get the best price, compare prices online before you buy. We've stacked up shopping deals from retailers across the Web so you can easily compare prices on home theater systems.
How Home Theater Works
Often referred to as "home theater in a box," a home theater system includes an A/V receiver, surround sound speakers and sometimes a DVD player. All you need is a TV and some popcorn to start enjoying a theatrical experience right in your living room. But how can these small systems produce theater-quality sound, and what do you need to know to set one up in your home? Learn all about how home theater systems work.

More Great Home Theater Information




Spotlight Reviews

Home Theater Systems
Insignia NS-H2002 Photo
The Insignia NS-H2002 is an inexpensive DVD player with surround sound and speakers for simple installations. Learn more in Consumer Guide's review. ...

Insignia NS-H2002 Compare Prices
Stores Selling: 0
$.00 - $.00
Bose Lifestyle V20 Photo
The Bose Lifestyle V20 includes five speakers, a sub module, an audio/video switcher module, and separate display. Learn more in Consumer Guide's review. ...

Bose Lifestyle V20 Compare Prices
Stores Selling: 8
$2990.00 - $2999.00
Panasonic SC-PT950 Photo
The Panasonic ST-PT950 is an inexpensive d home theater system that includes tower speakers, and wireless surround sound. Learn more in Consumer Guide's review. ...

See all 20 Expert Reviews

Compare Prices on Home Theater Systems

Panasonic SC-BT300 Theater System Photo
The SC-BT300 makes it easy for you to step up to Blu-ray and to 7.1 channel, 1250-Watt surround sound for incredible home cinema. Easy to set up, the SC-BT300 offers a high quality picture, dynamic and clear sounds, easy operation, advanced networking and connectivity, and plenty more. ...
Panasonic SC-BT300 Theater System Compare Prices
Stores Selling: 20
$500.00 - $804.00
Panasonic SC-PT670 Theater System Photo
The SC-PT670 Home Theater System feature a built-in Universal Dock for iPod to play audio, video and photo content stored on an iPod and displays the audio and video titles on the TV screen. Users can easily connect the rear speakers wirelessly without cables running from the front of the room to th...
Panasonic SC-PT670 Theater System Compare Prices
Stores Selling: 17
$240.00 - $380.00
Panasonic SC-PT770 Theater System with Wireless Speakers Photo
The Panasonic SCPT670 Home Theater System will enhance your favorite movies and TV shows with rich, immersive sound. One of the major obstacles in setting up a Home-theater Surround Sound system is the wiring of those rear speakers. .With the SC-PT770, they are wireless. Therefore no cables means no...
Panasonic SC-PT770 Theater System with Wireless Speakers Compare Prices
Stores Selling: 15
$310.00 - $522.00

See all 253 Products



Home Theater FAQ

The number before the decimal in a surround sound format refers to the number of main channels. In a 5.1 system, these are the front left, front right, center, rear left, and rear right. The "1" after the decimal stands for a single subwoofer channel. Learn more about surround sound formats.
The subwoofer handles the lowest-frequency sounds, such as the rumble of thunder or an earth-shaking explosion. Without these sounds, your movie- watching experience will seem much less immersive and realistic. Learn more about how speakers work.
Most home theater owners opt for a portable multimedia projector that uses LCD or DLP technology. These types of projectors, originally used for business presentations, have been adapted to turn home theater installation into a do-it-yourself, plug-and-play venture. Learn more about projection TVs.

Featured Video

How HDTV Works
High-definition television (HDTV) has revolutionized the quality of your TV picture. Learn how HDTV works in this video from HowStuffWorks.

How TV Works
CRT, projection, LCD and plasma are the four most popular kinds of TVs on the market today. See how televisions work in this HowStuffWorks video.

How Cable TV Works
Have you ever wondered how your cable TV gets to your house? Watch this video from HowStuffWorks to learn more about cable TV.



Shop for a Home Theater




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Price Range
Below $160 (51)
$160 - $290 (46)
$290 - $400 (54)
$400 - $690 (50)
Above $690 (52)

Brand
Sony (91)
Bose (30)
LG (14)
Samsung (42)
Coby (22)

Number Of Speakers
7.1 Speakers (11)
6.1 Speakers (10)
5.1 Speakers (138)
5 Speakers (6)
4.1 Speakers (2)

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Bedroom (70)
Children's Bedroom (95)
Living Room (78)
Large Hall (8)

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Less Than 200 sq.ft. (95)
200 - 300 sq.ft. (70)
300 - 400 sq.ft. (78)
More Than 400 sq.ft. (8)

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