AN INTRODUCTION TO HOME AUDIO SYSTEMS AND WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE

When people think “speakers” in relation to their day-to-day music listening, more often than not images of phones, tablets, and computers pop up - devices with built-in speakers. And that’s not a bad thing! Thanks to wireless streaming, listening to audio from music, movies, and television shows often comes in the form of those at-hand devices that nearly everyone has.

But owning a stereo system takes that audio above and beyond what those valiant built-in speakers can achieve. With full stereo sound, you’re able to immerse yourself into your favorite music on a louder, clearer, and more detailed soundstage. The way you want, and the way the artist intended.

PARTS OF A HOME STEREO SYSTEM

There are only three essential parts of a home stereo system: a receiver or amplifier, a matched pair of speakers, and one or more music sources.

The amplifier provides the power for your speakers. It amplifies low-power electronic audio signals to a level high enough to drive loudspeakers or headphones. A receiver is an amplifier with an AM/FM tuner built in. You can think of it as your home base.

The speakers are what provide you with the audio. There are several different types of home stereo speakers you can get, all with their own unique sound. They can be bookshelf speakers (which sound great, work well in medium and small rooms, and are flexible in their placement options) or floor-standing speakers (which have better bass reproduction, work well in large rooms, but can be more difficult to find space for as they must sit on the floor).

Finally, you need a music source. This can be anything used to play music! A component connected using cables such as a turntable or CD player, or a wireless component like a smartphone streaming Spotify or Apple Music.

HIGH-QUALITY SOUND

 

Perhaps the greatest reason to invest in a home stereo system is the sound quality. The sounds the tiny speakers in a phone or a laptop can reproduce in comparison to a stereo system is like comparing a house cat's meows to a mountain lion’s roar.

Many people also listen to music on single wireless speakers, such as a portable Bluetooth speaker. These are easy to use and can sound amazing. But standalone speakers simply can’t deliver true stereo sound.

Stereophonic (stereo) sound uses two speakers to create lifelike, 3D audio. Almost every new song that comes out is mixed in stereo so that, with careful recording and panning, listeners will get a three-dimensional soundstage. Subsequently, you can enjoy quality beats and bass and hear tunes that you may otherwise miss out on.

EASE OF ACCESS

Another great benefit is that you can play all of your media on your home stereo system. Amplifiers and receivers have different types of connections available so you can easily hook up all your audio components. Instead of just streaming music from your phone, you can connect a CD player to listen to all your old discs, a turntable to play records, and even a cassette deck to rewind time and experience the nostalgia cassettes bring to the table - or to the entertainment shelf.

Plus, there are Bluetooth adaptors you can get if you’re a fan of wireless stereo streaming. Some receivers actually have built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, which make it easy to listen to almost any audio source. Then you can listen to both analog and digital formats for the best of both worlds!

EASE OF CONTROL

With a home stereo system, you also have complete reign over all your different media formats from one device. If you get a receiver with a remote control, you can hook up your different components and play all your music from your favorite chair! Receivers and integrated amps also have tone control so you can adjust the sound of your audio to just the right balance for you.

Plus, most home audio systems offer high versatility. You can place your receiver and speakers in the living room, bedroom, or den. You can even get stereo systems specifically made for outdoor use. Who doesn’t enjoy parties, barbecues, and other outdoor celebrations with good music tumbling through the air?

IN SUMMARY

Getting a home stereo system means listening to music the way the artists intended! Home stereo systems let you sit down, put your feet up, and just enjoy that lifelike sound coming from those speaker boxes. Whether you prefer the old-school vinyl and cassette or the more modern streaming, the music you love deserves more than just a piping sound from a phone or laptop speaker. At the end of the day, if you enjoy music, we recommend investing in a stereo system for your home.

At SpenCertified, audio and video gear is our specialty, so if you’re interested in shopping for amplifiers and receivers to begin building your home stereo system, you can view our wide selection here. We also sell different kinds of speakers from bookshelf pairs to center channels to floorstanding towers. Perfect for delving into the world of home audio!

Or if you’re new to audio systems and want more background reading, you can check out our article “Stereo Gear Jargon: Words to Know Before Buying a Receiver or an Amplifier” here.

Thanks for reading!

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