How to Buy Speakers

The options for listening to our favorite music, movies and TV shows seem to increase daily. There are radio and CDs, MP3s and giant home entertainment centers. Of course, we want the music and action to sound great, which is why owning the right set of speakers is so important.

Tips for buying speakers

  1. When shopping for new speakers, it's important to remember some basic tips. First, consider where you are going to put the speakers. If you plan on putting speakers in a medium-sized or small room, you may want to purchase speakers that deliver great sound while not occupying a lot of space. Small speakers can rest under tables or can be attached to the walls at the ceiling.
  2. A larger room may call for larger speakers. Just remember that the speakers you listen to at the store are going to sound different in the room at your home. You have to imagine the speakers you are interested in buying as if they are already in your home, filling it with sound. There are even speakers made to spend all year outdoors, bringing music to your deck, porch or yard.
  3. Larger rooms may call for subwoofers, which deliver the deeper levels of a sound experience and provide maximum sound coverage. Subwoofers are crucial for home theater systems, as they carry the underlying elements of sound in movies.
  4. For an entertainment center with surround-sound capabilities, you will likely want to try out a variety of speakers. A floor or tower speaker can carry sounds to the side, while a center-channel speaker will project dialog and vocals from above or below your television. Make sure you purchase all the speakers you need for the full effect.
  5. If you have the option, test the speakers you want in your home. And try them out with different sources of audio - radio, CDs, television, DVDs. Test the sound for the types of audio to which you are going to be listening.
  6. Whether you listen to a potential set of new speakers at home or at the store, here are some things to listen for: There should be no scratchy or distorted sounds. Listen particularly to higher sounds to make sure they are solid and true. The same is true for midrange sounds, which should be heard without distortion. Also, no one level should overcome the other - the bass, the midrange sounds and the highs should all be equal in their ability to reach your ears clearly. The effect should be of a seamless audio experience.
How to Buy Speakers

Caution

Don't let the speaker salesperson talk you into a set up that you don't need. Huge speakers in a small or moderately-sized space will make listening to music uncomfortable for you and your neighbors.

Where to buy speakers

You can buy all kinds of speakers from these renowned electronics retailers --

J&R offers a huge selection of speakers and subwoofers. Find options for the floor or the wall, and for music or home theaters.

You'll also find a big selection at Best Buy, which sells bookshelf speakers, center-channel designs, wireless options and much more. Also find wall mounts, stands and cables.

Crutchfield not only has a variety of speakers, but also gives you the option of calling a customer service representative to help you make your choice.