Ultimate guide to setting up a home theatre system: tips, tricks, & must-have products

Setting up a home theatre system is an exciting proposition that promises to elevate your entertainment experience to new heights. With a myriad of components and considerations, it's easy to get overwhelmed. In this comprehensive guide, Life Style Store’s Brendan Cotton offers valuable insights and tips on creating the ultimate home cinema.

Essential components for a home theatre system

When embarking on the journey to create a home theatre, it's crucial to consider the fundamental components. These include a projector, screen, speakers, AV receiver, and cabling. These elements form the backbone of your cinematic experience, and careful selection ensures a seamless and immersive setup.

Selecting the right size and type of display is pivotal for an optimal viewing experience. Cotton  recommends choosing a screen width that is approximately 75% of the distance to the main viewing position. 

“For example, a screen width of 2650mm (which is a 120” screen) to suit a 3500mm viewing distance.”

Whether opting for a TV or projector, this formula ensures an immersive and comfortable viewing angle.

Selecting the best audio system

The audio system is a cornerstone of any home theatre setup. Cotton advises seeking LSS (Listening Sweet Spot) expert advice to position speakers according to Dolby Atmos specifications, while considering the room's aesthetics. 

“Dolby Atmos provides a high-quality 3D spacious sound experience and a richer surround audio experience for your movie, music and other entertainment by amplifying small sound that is hard to hear of content.”

Calibration and fine-tuning are paramount for achieving the best audio and video quality. Cotton stresses that all audio systems and projectors need calibration to suit the specific space and ambient conditions, guaranteeing an immersive and true-to-life experience.

Optimising room layout & acoustics

To enhance the overall home theatre experience, it's crucial to optimise room layout and acoustics. Consult with theatre professionals before finalising the floor plan, ensuring adequate space for seating and optimal door and window placement.

But even with the perfect layout, modern home theatre setups are incomplete without seamless integration of streaming services and smart devices. 

“Purchase a well supported media player like an Apple TV 4k or Nvidia Shield TV Pro 4K Streaming Media Player,” suggests Cotton. 

For those looking to take their home theatre system to the next level, the Crowson seat actuator kit is a must-have accessory. This innovative technology adds a tactile dimension to your viewing experience, providing a nuanced and immersive feel to on-screen action.