How To Set Up Home Audio System

Right speakers, a receiver, and a sound source are all it takes to set up a great home audio setup, but it is not as simple as it sounds.

Earbuds, headphones, mini Bluetooth speakers, and all other similar devices may have come a long way, but they are still no match to the sound quality of a traditional home audio system. Theoretically, a home studio system can be anything from a compact-size Bluetooth speaker to the sound system of a home theater. However, in this context, it specifically means a system that can produce a stereo sound effect that makes you feel immersed while listening to your favorite music.

We will come up with separate guides on how to set up other types of sound systems too, but for now, let’s walk you through the process of setting up a home stereo system.

What Exactly Is A Stereo System?

A stereo sound system is basically an illusion that makes you think you are surrounded by sound from all directions, even though in reality you are not. It creates what is known as a “spatial sound effect”, which offers an immersive listening experience. An ordinary sound system, on the other hand, delivers sound from one direction and you will experience a change in sound quality the moment you step outside of a particular zone.

What Exactly Is A Stereo System

To create a stereo audio system at your home you will need at least a pair of speakers, an audio source, and a stereo amplifier or receiver to connect everything together. There are two ways to go about creating such a system, including purchasing a pre-packaged one or building everything from scratch. Each option has its fair share of pros and cons, discussed in the next sections.

How To Set Up A Pre-Packaged Stereo System

As the name indicates a pre-packaged stereo system comes with everything you need to get started. It typically includes powered speakers, an integrated amplifier, and a receiver. The system is usually compact and does not take a lot of space and is also less expensive than when you build everything yourself.

How To Set Up A Pre Packaged Stereo System

You can find such a system in all sizes depending on the area and the dimensions of your room. Some systems may offer additional features such as a frequency tuner, CD player, and extra inputs for connecting multiple sound sources. That said, the downside to such a system is it limits upgradability. So, once you have purchased a system there is a little room to add another set of speakers. Furthermore, these systems are typically underpowered to deliver solid audio quality for big rooms. 

You will receive a guide on how to set such a system up from the manufacturer, but in case you do not, the steps in the next section can be followed to set up a pre-packaged sound system too.

How To Set Up A Home Stereo Audio System From The Scratch

Setting up a home audio system from scratch is a little challenging especially when you have prior experience. You have to look for each component of the sound system separately and ensure it is good enough for the setup you want to build. The best part about such a system is its flexibility, allowing you to stay within your budget and upgrade it whenever you have enough resources.

Here’s is what you need to do to build a stereo audio system:

Step 1: Get Yourself A Dependable Stereo Receiver With Integrated Amplifier

The fundamental job of receivers is to connect speakers with the sound source. In addition to an integrated amplifier, these devices usually have a built-in radio as well, allowing you to listen to music without needing an external sound source. You should put a lot of thought in before purchasing a receiver because it influences your setup in a variety of ways.

Get Yourself A Dependable Stereo Receiver With Integrated Amplifier

For example, there are receivers that may not come with integrated amplifiers. In these cases, you will have to purchase active speakers, so they can amplify the signals on their own. Furthermore, you must also look for the number of channels there are in an amplifier. Typically, you only need two channels to create a stereo effect, but if you want to occasionally experiment with other systems such as surround sound, having multiple channels will help.

You must also look for the connectivity options to ensure it is compatible with the source you use the most. For example, if you stream music online the receiver must offer Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, if you use traditional sources such as compact discs, you must have CD players to not only play them but to improve the CD quality.

Other digital audio connections you should look for include DVD players, USB, satellite boxes,  phono input, A/B speaker connections, Zone 2, and subwoofer outputs. Let us walk you through the purpose of each connector:

  • Phono Preamp / Phono Inputs: You will need them if you want to connect a vinyl record player with the speakers. 
  • A/B Speaker connections: It allows you to connect four speakers, which means even though it would not support surround sound you can use two pairs of speakers to create a stereo effect. The second pair will draw the power in the same way as the first pair and broaden the coverage of the speakers.
  • Zone 2: It allows you to expand your stereo setup into another location, albeit you will need an external amplifier to execute it. Once done, you can listen to the same music in primary and secondary locations at the same time.
  • Subwoofer Outputs: Some stereo receivers can be connected with a subwoofer which can be used to amplify low-frequency sounds to produce additional bass. 

The more features you desire, the more you will have to spend. Thus, it is better to figure out exactly what devices you will connect to a home audio setup before purchasing one. Furthermore, you must look for the reviews of different receivers as well. A solid receiver is able to mitigate the interference of all the components within it. Whereas, internal components in substandard audio equipment may interfere with each other and distort the audio signal to produce unwanted noise.

Step 2: Get Speakers That Deliver Hi-Fi Audio Quality

Once the receiver part is sorted, proceed to purchase the speakers. Again, it is also a little complicated considering the myriad of options on the market. Furthermore, different speakers have varying characteristics which are not necessarily bad but may not be suitable for everybody’s taste. The components that influence stereo speakers in their sound quality include crossovers, the size and type of material of the cabinet, and the number of speaker drivers.

You can listen to how different types of speakers sound online to understand your preferences. Typically, bookshelf speakers work better than their bar counterparts when it comes to setting a stereo setup. That said, there is another part you have to figure out as well, which is the type of speaker. When it comes to stereo systems, there are two types of speakers including active and passive speakers.

Get Speakers That Deliver Hi Fi Audio Quality

The passive speakers require external amplification of the signal from the receiver or external amplifier, whereas active speakers do not. Active speakers have a built-in amplifier of their own, allowing them to boost the signal without needing external help. Typically, the active speakers are more expensive than the passive speakers so it should be a big consideration if you are on a budget.

Step 3: Strategically Place The Audio Equipment In The Room

Once you have purchased everything, It is time to set them up in your room. Starting off with the receiver which should be placed in a location that is convenient to reach. It should also be near to the power socket, allowing for easy connection of power cable and speaker cables. If you have a work desk in your room that would be the ideal placement of the receiver.

The next step is to place the speakers in such a manner that it enables a stereo effect. See, while stereo speakers are much better than the mono setup, they still have a sweet music-listening spot. So, to get the best results you need to build the sound system around your listening position.

The entire setup should make a perfect triangle with your seat at one corner. You should place the two speakers on the right and left of the amplifier in such a way that both of them are at an equal distance from your seat. Furthermore, the direction of speakers should be towards you and the height should be right next to your head. 

Once the speakers are placed optimally, run the speaker cable to the wall via clips and plug it in its respective channel. The left speaker should be plugged into the left channel and the right speaker into the right channel. Also, get quality speaker wire for the best results.

Turn on the receiver and provide it with an audio source. You can play music by using analog mediums such as CDs, DVDs, or audio files that can be plugged in via a USB port. If the setup allows a wireless connection, the music can be streamed using a streaming service such as Apple Music or the digital library of your smartphone.

Strategically Place The Audio Equipment In The Room

Step 4: Use External Digital To Analog Converter For Better Results

Almost all receivers have a built-in DAC, but sometimes the native digital signal processing may not be enough especially if you introduce digital files from smartphones. You should not have to use an external DAC in most cases, but if you experience a lot of noise in the sound, it may help.

Purchasing an external DAC will fix the problem as it carries out the conversion much more efficiently than the native ones and delivers great sound quality. 

Conclusion

A stereo home sound setup significantly improves your music listening experience, but to get it to sound excellent you will have to put in a bit of an effort. A pre-packaged system is a good option, but it is no match to the quality of the DIY setup. Using separate components offers more flexibility and also makes you understand their roles in the setup, which comes in handy during troubleshooting.

Frequently Asked Questions

A sound system should be picked based on your needs and budget. For example, you do not need a professional setup to casually listen to music, whereas if you want to understand the subtleties in the audio a professional system will help. So, be aware of your needs, set a budget, and look accordingly.

Optimize the position of speakers according to your seat, use an external digital-to-analog converter if you use digital audio sources, and amplify the speakers to get the best results.

sharoon shahid Author

Sharoon Shahid

Hi! I’m Sharoon Shahid, founder of Audiblearray. With a decade of experience in using mics, I’m here to guide you on your audio journey and save you from gear pitfalls!

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