How to Set Up a Stereo System at Home

We all were stuck in our homes during the Covid-19 lockdown and to kill time OTT platforms became our savior. Binge-watching our favorite movies, and series or playing video games had become an everyday routine.

The feel of watching movies at the theater was something that was missing at home. However, to have a theater-like experience at home, one thing you can do is set up an audio system. These systems amplify the joy of watching stuff online.

It can be overwhelming to set up a system if you have absolutely no idea where to start from. Well, you do not need to waste time on finding what all you will need to have an audio system.

In this article, we will discuss how you can set up a home stereo system step by step.

Step 1: Collect All the Components

The first step is to figure out what all you will need for building a home stereo system. There are two ways to purchase it. Buy all the components required individually or buy them in prepackaged form (preferred). Here is the list of things that you will need.

• Stereo Amplifier: It acts as a medium of connecting and controlling the source content as well as speakers.
• Speakers: You will require two speakers, one for each channel. Some music systems also have five, seven or nine speakers for surround effects.
• Source: Content source via which you will play the audio.

It is possible that if your system has a receiver then it will also have an in-built tuner, Bluetooth, and internet streaming facilities.

Step 2: Figure Out the Place to Keep the Components

Now that you are ready with all your components, it is time to find the right place for them to get the best audio output. Once you unpack your stuff, read the instructions to figure out the left and right channel and place them accordingly.

Now connect the audio cable with the speaker wire splitter to connect these speakers with the main or center stereo.

But if you have a surround sound system then it will require dedicated inputs per channel like right front/back, left front/back, and the center. To connect this, you will need a handful of cables to connect each of them. If you still find it confusing you can keep the instructions manual handy.

Step 3: Connect With the Source

Now finally connect the main or center stereo with the source. It can be a TV, CD/ DVD player, USB, Bluetooth, etc. For this connection, you will require a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable. This cable will transfer the data from the source to the stereo.

Step 4: Test the System

Once you have plugged everything in, it is time to switch on the system. Keep the volume on low and slowly try to configure it as per the size of the room. Also, make sure to change the angle of the stereo if required.

If in case no sound is heard, first check that the Speaker A/B switch is active. Because, if the switch is disabled, no sound is allowed through to the speaker system.

If after powering on, you do not hear the sound then check the A/B switch behind the speaker. Make sure it is on. The other thing can be related to your TV settings. It is possible that your TV has the option to choose the audio output device. Then you need to turn off the internal speakers and turn on the audio output system.

Conclusion

The time spent behind setting up this audio system is worth all the effort. The advanced technology in the audio system like 3D audio and Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars have changed the game. It is on you what system you purchase but it will definitely help you give a theater-like experience at home. If you are purchasing all the components separately then make sure the cables you purchase are of good quality and are long enough to cover the distance between speaker, main unit and the source. For that, you will require a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable depending on size of the audio jack, speaker wire splitter, RCA cables etc.

Jennifer Truong is the owner of SF Cable, a california based online retailer of all kind of Computers, electronics, electrical accessories, networking accessories, cables, wires. Jennifer has extensive experience in the Electronics industry and blog.