Expert: Cleggsan - 6/13/2010

Question
I am not tech savvy so please be patient. I'm an old guy whose home stereo system is still just a receiver with two large speakers in my living room from 20 years ago. I don't have a home theatre system but hear TV/DVD's playing through my speakers. I see that those people with home theatre systems have a woofer box on the floor for bass sounds and 2-4 small speakers for the highs. My question is, are people using that setup to listen to music now? I would think they are losing the mid-ranges in the music. or do stores still sell the traditional receiver/speakers like I have?  Thanks

Answer
The surround sound theatre systems are mostly for tv viewing and, in my opinion, are poor sound quality. The range of frequencies around the crossover between the subwoofer box and the little satellite speakers is quite poor.  I agree with your assessments.  However, these systems are easy to mount and look good for the women of the home who like the aesthetics.  Further, these little speakers and the magnetically shielded subwoofers keep the tv screen from getting magnetized.

Your system is probably very good sounding and, yes, they are still sold today at any good audiophile shop.  Stereo receivers are readily available as well as stand alone loudspeaker systems.

To enhance your system's sound quality the greatest single thing you can do, most of the time, is to add a good subwoofer.  A good sub will add an octave or sound to the bottom half of the frequency scale and for the modern music nowdays it is almost a must for any two speaker system.

You sound like you are headed the right direction to me.

All the best.