The Size Of Speakers

One of the main factors that will surely play a huge role is the size of your room and that of the speakers themselves. These two aspects go hand in hand, and they must be proportional to each other for you to get the best out of your new equipment. A small room doesn't do justice to a huge sound system, and the reverse is also the same. So, how do you choose the size of your speakers?

• Small Room
  A room with eight-foot ceilings falls under this category. If your room averages this size, then it will be a good idea not to go for massive speakers. Apart from the fact that it will take up too much space, their operation will also be affected. For one, you'll be forced to listen to them at the lowest volume in their range, given the fact that the listener will be less than ten feet away. The disadvantage here is that with low volumes, there's a high chance of facing sound distortion. As such, you won't be able to experience the full benefits of your system.
• Medium-Sized Room
  Is your room larger than ten-foot ceilings and does it allow one to listen to music from a distance of at least ten feet away? This falls under the medium category, and is big enough to handle larger speakers than the previous category. However, don't go all out for the big-sized pair of speakers as this will take up too much of your space. In addition, the system might overpower your room, and you'll be back to square one. There many medium-range speakers that will perfectly fit your case.
• Large Room
  If you can comfortably listen to music with speakers placed over 12 feet away, then that's categorized as a large room. With such a space, you have the luxury of buying the biggest pair of home sound system. You might also want to add a set of floor speakers or standalone sub-woofers. This way, you'll be able to evenly fill your big home with an even sound. To get the best out of your new system, it would be prudent to set up the speakers in every corner, or any other way that ensures everyone in the room gets to enjoy some great music. Remember, there's no right or wrong way of doing this, it's entirely dependent on your preference.

Your Listening Style

One's listening style can also determine the type of sound system that's ideal for them. What kind of music do you love? Do you listen to them via mainstream radio or stream them from music pools? Your answer to these questions will be very vital in your shopping adventure.

You might be wondering why music preference is a big deal in this topic. Well, it's worth noting that the music played via mainstream radio has a different quality to those songs played via premium pools, such as Spotify and Deezer. It involves a lot of technical adjustments, but the general idea is that mainstream music CDs are mixed to fit the requirements of radio airplay. In the process, the quality is substantially degraded with more focus put on the bass rather than the accuracy initially intended by the producers. This engineering also aims to ensure that the music is audible even in a noisy environment.

So, how does this affect your choice of speakers? Well, with mainstream radio music, there's little need for expensive sound systems that will perfectly recreate the original musical nuances. If this is your style, then all you need is a quality set of speakers that can play any form of music that you prefer. Also, if you have a collection of MP3 songs, then this might be your best fit since most of them are encoded at 128-kbps or lower.

On the other hand, if you're streaming music from premium pools or buying music albums, then you'll not be doing any justice to yourself by using low-quality speakers. To enjoy the songs as intended by the producer, you'll need top-notch speakers that can recreate music encoded at the highest kbps possible.

As you deliberate on this information, it's important to consider the fact that most albums today don't take radio airplay into account. Also, the technology has enabled the migration from AM/FM HD transmission to Internet radio. Unlike the previous versions, Internet radio transmission supports more audio formats, which means you can enjoy your music on high-quality sound system via radio airplay. The bottom line is that everybody has their own listening style, and there are many speaker brands out there designed each category of listeners.

The Primary Purpose

So, you've already determined the size of speakers to acquire and your listening style. But, for what purpose are you planning to buy the new sound system? Of course, everyone purchases these products with the aim of keeping their rooms lively. However, that might not be your primary reason for investing in a new music equipment. Therefore, before you visit that store, make sure you've already made up your mind to avoid falling into the trap of 'pulse buying'. If you're not sure which type of sound equipment best fits your needs, then the points below might guide you.

• Young children
  Are you planning to lighten up the environment for the sake of your children? If the answer is 'yes,' then massive speakers might not be an ideal choice. Remember, the organs of young kids, including the auditory system, are still at the early stages of development. Therefore, exposing them to a lot of noise might lead to impairment or other similar complications.
  There are a lot of stereo systems out there designed to provide a great experience, while prioritizing the wellbeing of the young children. Apart from the favorable sound they produce, these speakers also have stable and safe stands that won't lose balance when touched by your little loved ones. Nevertheless, it will still depend on how well you set up your speakers and the surrounding.
• Music Production
  Perhaps, you're planning to set up a home studio, which is a good idea under the current circumstances. However, for a successful project, you'll need specific music equipment designed for this purpose. Many people make the mistake of using the normal stereo system for their home studio production. This choice is not advisable as it will drastically reduce the quality of your music. Studio speakers, famously known as monitors, ensure that you listen to the details and make the necessary changes.

Check The Specifications

Another very important aspect to keep in mind when choosing a music equipment is a set of specifications that fit your needs. For instance, if you're practicing energy saving in your apartment, then you ought to choose electrical devices whose specs meet your standards.

Here's an in-depth look into the main features to consider in your hunt for an ideal stereo system:

1) Frequency Response

Frequency response is the measure of treble, mid, and bass supplied by a speaker. Some speakers have a very wide selection of sounds, while others are limited to the three aforementioned categories. The latter is common among mid-range sound systems and can be ideal for those on a tight budget. Extended high frequency can be easily achieved, but deep bass can only be found in high-quality speakers. Your favorite music genre could guide you in selecting the best frequency response for your new speakers.

2) Sensitivity

Sensitivity is basically a measure of how good the speakers sound at a given volume. Some speakers sound alive even when the volume level is very low, while others need to be set high for them to get going. The best of them all, however, are those that sound good at both low and high-volume levels. However, be ready to spend a fortune for you to get your hands on any of these top-quality speakers.

3) Impedance

How much electrical resistance does your speaker present to the amplifier? This factor is indicated by a speaker's impedance. However, it can be a little bit tricky, given the fact that the exact value fluctuates when playing music. To make it simpler for the user to compare models, a single nominal impedance rating is used.
Every amplifier has a specific range of resistance it can handle from the speakers. Therefore, make sure to check the manufacturer's manual before deciding on your ideal speaker system. The two devices (speaker and amplifier) must be compatible for you to get the best experience out of your new products.

4) Power Range

Also known as wattage, it's a measure of electrical power that a given speaker can take from the amplifier. Every speaker comes with two power values: peak power and RMS.
RMS or continuous power pertains to the power that a speaker can continuously use for its operation without being damaged over a long period of time. Peak power, on the other hand, is the maximum amount of power that a speaker can handle for a brief period of time without incurring damages. It's more like a surge protector and is usually larger than the RMS value, which is technically the best reflection of the speaker's ability.

5) The Material Used To Make The Speaker

Metal, paper, rubber, and plastic are the most common materials used to make speaker drivers. Each of them has a different set of sonic properties, which has a huge impact on the type and quality of sound produced. For instance, tweeters produce a smooth sound because they're made of softer materials. The strength of a driver material determines the clarity of sound, while the weight affects the efficiency of movement.

Your Budget

With all said and done, it all comes down to how much you can afford to spend on a new set of speaker system. Speakers come in different qualities, which consequently affect their prices. The best thing about stereo speakers is the fact that you have a wide range of affordable choices from which you can choose your ideal option. However, if you have a flexible budget, you can go for the high-end products that re-produce the sound and give you the desired quality.