How to Choose Home Speakers
Rocking out to your favorite tunes or delighting in rich sounds of movie night are all part of the ultimate home speaker experience. No matter where you place speakers in your living space, we at Pottery Barn want to help you integrate them into your home for ongoing enjoyment. Try these tips to discover how to choose a home audio system that’s pleasing to every audiophile and music lover alike.
Mind What Matters
As you shop for speakers, take a moment to define the role they’ll play. This could be anything from streaming music between multiple speakers in different rooms to needing a portable option for outdoor use. Decide how you’d like to get the best sound experience overall. Are you looking to link to a smartphone or portable music player? Will you need a speaker with Bluetooth? Maybe wireless capability is something you and your family prefer the most. Factors such as shape, size and color are usually the personal preferences you’ll think about. These help your speakers complement the room without sacrificing style. Go for the essentials that are suitable for what you need.
Redefine Your Space
No one knows your home better than you! However, you might start to overlook some nooks and crannies over time. Think of it this way: A small, enclosed space is overpowered by a speaker with six amplifiers that emit concert hall sound in a big room. In contrast, a speaker that’s smaller in size but big on sound will fit into any space in your home to deliver crystal-clear acoustics.
Be conscious of hard surfaces in your family room, like windows and flooring. These elements can dampen the sound quality. Drapes and carpet absorb sound, while a bookcase diffuses it. The size of the room will matter. Coordinate your speaker arrangement for each room of the house, or narrow down your placement to certain areas in particular.
Consider Sound Quality
Everyone listens and responds to sound differently. Have you ever experienced a loved one adjusting the TV volume during a show, or a passenger turning down your car radio as you belted out the lyrics of a song? You might prefer a more full-toned sound and appreciate the intense bass from a powerful subwoofer. Another family member might favor a speaker that reproduces mid to high tones at a more comfortable level. The key is to organize your home audio systems for music or HDTV to keep your family happy. You’ll want to look for a speaker that appeals to every occupant’s listening preferences.
Pair It Up
Speakers are meant to be united with electronics that play the music from your preferred format. Do you sometimes feel a little nostalgic, even with the newest tech gadgets at your disposal? You might want to take a trip down memory lane. Break out your vinyl classics and show off some dance moves by pairing your speakers with a free-standing or Crosley turntable.
Go Wireless
A wireless sound system is so convenient because it doesn’t tether you to a specific area – as is the case with an in-wall, wired layout. You’re free to arrange speakers indoors and out to enjoy music from any location. You might decide to put a Playbar and a SUB to boost the level of bass for TV and music in the family room for richer sound. Your home audio setup might also include powered speakers in each bedroom, the kitchen or any other spaces where the hardware fits nicely. You can move them around whenever you need to. That way, your music is always with you.
Go All Outdoors
For many of us, spending time in the backyard means enjoying all things social and fun. Incorporating an exterior sound system that withstands the elements is as simple as cleverly mounting moisture-proof speakers on tabletops, around furnishings or among your potted plants or trees. Imagine you want to distribute sound uniformly around your pool and patio areas. Install a speaker in each corner around the space. In your outdoor zone, strategically place several outdoor speakers to stream music throughout your garden to casually entertain and keep celebrations and guests happy for hours.