If you enjoy watching movies with surround sound or listening to music in multiple rooms of your home, you may be considering a home audio system. These systems range in size, sound and price, and they’re finding their way into homes across the world.
If a home audio system is something that piques your interest, you’ll want to consider the pros and cons of having one before making a purchase.
Pro: It can make watching movies and listening to music more enjoyable.
Having a home audio system can be just what your movie watching or music listening experiences have been lacking. You can enjoy professional quality sound from the comfort of your own home. Rock out to your favorite music or feel like the movie is actually happening around you. And with a great audio system, you’ll be the envy of all your friends and family members.
Con: It can be a tough choice.
There are A LOT of home audio systems out there, and in order to get the best fit for your home, you’ll need to do a significant amount of research. If you don’t, you could end up purchasing a system that’s too large and advanced for the size of your home, or you could end up purchasing one that’s not big enough.
You’ll also need to consider what type of home audio system you want. Do you want one small audio system that will stay in one room, or do you want to connect speakers throughout your entire house? Do you want something small that sits on a mantel, or do you want something hidden inside walls and ceilings? These choices need to be made in order for you to make the best decision.
Pro: You can use multiple devices.
Some home audio systems allow you to connect multiple devices to the speakers. This means that you can hook up your TV, your computer and even your smartphone. This way, you’ll be able to access and use the speakers no matter which device is playing the music or movies.
Con: It can be very expensive.
As mentioned above, there are many different types of home audio systems. And while there are a few that are on the cheaper side, you may end up spending a significant amount of money if you purchase a home audio system that you really want. Plus, if you choose a system that is installed in ceilings or walls, you’re also looking at adding some repair costs, as you or the installer will need to cut open walls and ceilings in order to run wires and attach devices.
Pro: You can entertain more easily.
Have you ever been to a party and stood right next to the speakers for the TV or stereo? It makes it impossible to have a conversation with someone. When you have a home audio system, there is no bad seat in the house. Whether you have guests over to mingle or to watch a movie, everyone will be able to hear the audio without it blasting in their ear.
Con: It can be unsightly.
Depending on what type of audio system you purchase, you could end up with very unsightly décor. Speakers hanging from the ceiling can take away from the ambiance of a room. Wires running on the floor can be a hazard to pets and small children and even pose as a tripping hazard to adults.
J. Reynolds is a movie lover and tech guru. He recently wrote about the pros and cons of home audio systems.