Whether you’re an avid gamer, an audiophile, or a hardcore home theatre-goer, upgrading your sound system adds so much to the experience. A home audio installation should cater to your unique needs. However, if you’re not sure what to look for, shopping for a system can become overwhelming.

Let’s look at some commonly asked questions about sound systems and home audio installation.

Is Home Audio Worth the Money?

If media is your go-to for stress release and entertainment, then a home audio installation is worth the investment. Like buying a good mattress for the third of your life you spend in bed, upgrading your sound system to provide an immersive media environment can make all the difference.

One of the main reasons people go to a large movie theater is for the sound quality. The big rattle and boom of the bass in a good home theater sound system will provide years of high-end experiences for your money.

What Do You Need for a Home Audio Installation

If you main watch movies or play video games, you’ll need:

AV Receiver: This interconnects your sources, processing the audio by translating data for the surround sound and delivering it the correct speaker. It also sends video signals to your monitor.

Loudspeakers: These include left and right front speakers, left and right rear surround sound speakers, and a center channel speaker. This configuration provides three-dimensional immersive sound.

Subwoofer: This delivers the deep bass we’ve come to know and love, especially when gaming or watching action movies.

How Much Does a Home Audio Installation Cost?

The national average for adding surround sound to your system runs around $680, but depending on the complexity, it can run as much as $1,200. Calculate an average of $514 per room for multi-room audio systems for audio installation in NJ.

Does Surround Sound Work for Music?

If you’re looking for ambient music for your home, skip the surround sound. Music is mastered in stereo and playing it through a center channel speaker results in distortion.

What About Built-in Speakers?

In-wall speakers are making a comeback in a big way. However, look for quality rather than novelty, wherever your place your speaker.

Built-in speakers do offer some unique advantages, though, such as reduced sound reflection for greater sound clarity. They also improve the quality of the bass, so you may be able to skip the subwoofer.

Ceiling speakers are best for playing music throughout your home, while in-wall speakers are best for single rooms. Ceiling speakers offer many of the same advantages as in-wall speakers, such as increased brightness and better bass reproduction.

While built-in speakers are worth the money, they can also be a hassle to install unless you’ve got some electrical experience.