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Select a manufacturer
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ielectronics.com
3047 Bartold Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63143
Phone: (314) 880-0600
Fax: (314) 446-1290
Get Map Directions
The ielectronics.com’s showroom and store are centrally located in Maplewood, Missouri. Our showroom is open from 10 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday by appointment.
Too busy to stop by the store?
Tell us about your next project, and one of our specialists will contact you to discuss available options. Please call us anytime during store hours at (314) 880-0600 or contact us online here.
Serving clients in Missouri and Illinois
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System Types & Features
Selecting the right audio system may seem confusing, but by following these guidelines you’ll find it easy to design your perfect
audio system.
Pick a System Type
Audio systems typically fall into one of three categories.
| System Type |
Description |
Best suited for |
Considerations |
All-In-One Systems
(Good) |
Audio system with integrated DVD player and matching speakers in one package. |
• Primarily for watching DVD movies
• Small spaces (200 sq. ft or
less) like bedrooms, dorm
rooms, etc. |
System size and power output
suited for small spaces however,
typically limited in terms of
their features and options for
connecting other sources. |
Components
(Better) |
Consists of a receiver that
controls system volume,
input, sound processing and
amplification plus separate
source components and
speakers. |
• Most home entertainment
applications
• Dedicated media room or
home theater |
Allows you to integrate existing
components and sources, select
the perfect speakers and build
and grow your system over time. |
High-Performance
(Best) |
Separate pre-amp, surround
processor and amplifier,
plus source components and
speakers. |
• High-fidelity stereo or
surround music
• Impressive home theater
performance and features
• Audiophiles and custom
installations
• High-end home theaters |
Separate pre-amp, processor
and amplifier offer the highestfidelity
sound reproduction.
“Separates” can be purchased
individually allowing for easy
upgrades and expansion. |
Find the Right Features
Finding an audio system with all the right features is key to enjoying your music and movies. Consider what types of content you’ll want to
play and what source components you already own. Use the chart below to help you understand the benefits of the features listed on product
spec sheets.
| Feature or Spec |
Benefit |
| Multiple A/V Inputs and Outputs |
Ensures that you can connect all of your components and still have room to grow your system in
the future. To maximize quality, you’ll want both analog and digital inputs and outputs. |
| Front Panel A/V Inputs |
Offers convenience when connecting a camcorder or digital camera. |
| Video Switching and Up-Conversion |
Allows you to connect audio and video outputs of your DVD player, cable box, etc. to your
audio system and conveniently use it to select which device plays on your TV screen. If you
have a progressive scan DVD player or HDTV set-top box, you’ll want an audio system with
component video switching for the best quality. |
| Surround Sound Formats |
In order to fully experience the surround audio tracks on your DVDs, SACD, HDTV or other Dolby®
or DTS® encoded programs, your audio system must be able to process these formats. |
| Number of Channels |
Some receivers and amplifiers are stereo (2-channel) only, while many are 5.1 channel or higher
(up to 7.1 channels or more on high-end models). To experience the Dolby® Digital soundtrack on
a DVD, HDTV or video game, you’ll need a system with at least 5.1 channels of amplification. |
| Power Output |
This rating indicates how much power the receiver or amplifier sends to your speakers.
Don’t shop on “watts” alone, as there are also other factors– both measurable and
subjective – that affect how loud a system plays. |
| MP3 Player or Satellite Radio Control |
If you enjoy listening to an MP3 player or satellite radio, you’ll want to consider a system that
integrates controls for these devices for ease of operation. |
| Lucasfilm/THX™ Certification |
Systems with this feature employ circuitry to make your home theater sound closer to a real
theater experience. |
| Automatic Calibration |
A receiver or processor with automatic calibration can analyze your room acoustics and
speakers and tweak your system’s timing and sound levels to help you get the best sound
possible at the listening position. |
Maximize Your Entertainment
Experience
You likely already use a DVD player, MP3 player or Digital Cable. Use the chart below to discover what features you’ll need in your new audio
system to get the whole experience from your home entertainment devices.
| Video Sources |
Audio System Features You Need |
For The Ultimate Experience |
• DVD Player
• HDTV
• Digital Cable
• Video Game |
• A 5.1-channel audio system
• Digital Audio input
• 5.1-channel speaker array |
• A 6.1-channel or higher system
• THX™ Certification
• Component or HDMI video switching |
| MP3 and Digital Music Sources |
Audio System Features You Need |
For The Ultimate Experience |
• MP3 Player
• PC
• Digital Media Player or “Bridge” |
• Stereo or digital audio input
• “Dock” or cables to connect portable
player |
• MP3-ready A/V receiver
• Audio system with “matrix” surround
features like Dolby® PLII or DTS® ES
• Multi-room capability |
Get Surround Sound
DVD movies, multi-channel music discs, TV shows and video games all offer surround sound-encoded titles. Here is what you need to get the
full surround sound experience.
| What You Need |
Explanation |
| Surround Sound Content |
The content must be presented in Dolby® Digital or DTS® surround sound (5.1 or higher). |
| Multi-Channel System |
Your audio system (ex.: A/V receiver) must be at least a “5.1-channel” surround sound
system, which means at least a five-channel amplifier and a subwoofer output. |
| Speakers and Setup |
You need at least six speakers – left, center, right, left surround, right surround and
subwoofer – properly placed. |
| The Right Connection |
For most applications you’ll need a digital connection, like a coaxial or optical digital audio
cable, between your source (e.g., DVD player) and A/V receiver or pre/amp processor. |
Upgrade or Integrate
You may already own a receiver or “stereo” and wonder if you can build a home theater system around it.
In order to get the full experience from all of your home entertainment content, you’ll want an A/V receiver with at least these features:
- One or more digital audio inputs
- Dolby® Digital or DTS® 5.1-channel surround sound decoding
- A multi-channel amplifier (five full-range channels or more)
Go to: HDTV 101 Home • Audio Buying Guide - Speakers
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