Music center vs. home theater: the subtleties of sound

Two of the most simple, and at the same time popular ways to relax and escape from everyday affairs and problems - to watch a movie or listen to your favorite music. For this, of course, you can use a computer. But to get high-quality sound, you need to seriously upgrade it. If you are a music lover, then it will be more correct to purchase a specialized acoustic device. Most often there is such a choice: home theater or advanced music center? Interestingly, both of these devices can be interchanged.

Music center: advantages and disadvantages

The music center can be called an advanced player. It supports a large number of formats and storage media. You can easily find a model that has a built-in player vinyl records and audio cassettes, while these carriers will perfectly coexist with the optical drive, as well as the possibility connect smartphones, flash drives, memory cards, hard drives.

There are even modifications that are comparable in functionality to expensive professional speaker systems used in organizing concerts.

The most popular are cheap models with an average power amplifier and 2 audio channels.

Any specialized device has many features and functions that allow you to use it not only for amateur purposes, but also as professional equipment. A good audio system is no exception, because thanks to it you can safely organize a party, even in a small club.

Benefits:

• a large number of media, including retro formats (audio cassettes and vinyl records);
• powerful amplifier and multiple sound channels;
• a large selection of equipment from the most affordable to functional;
• possibility to use as home theater (applies to models with video format support).

Disadvantages:

• functional models are expensive;
• in the presence of powerful amplifiers - large dimensions;
• rare models of music centers can play high-definition 4K video format.

Home theater: the pros and cons of devices

Home cinema allows you to play all modern video file formats in maximum quality. Optical discs, hard drives of memory cards and USB flash drives are used as storage media. It is also possible to connect to a home Wi-Fi network to play files stored in the computer’s memory and access the Internet.

Modern models can be called a full-fledged multimedia center, which combines the capabilities of a video player, music center, computer and game console.

In addition, home theaters have own acoustics. The most commonly used systems are 2.1 and 5.1, that is, two speakers and a subwoofer, or 5 speakers and a subwoofer, respectively.

Benefits:

• support a large number of formats;
• universality, it is possible to replace with one device many others;
• the ability to significantly expand the functionality of the TV;
• the ability to play the most advanced video format in 4K resolution.

Disadvantages:

• power amplifiers are rarely used;
• by sound quality home theaters are an order of magnitude worse than stereos;
• significantly less functionality when working with audio;
• no models that support outdated media.

Functionality issue

In comparison, home theaters and music centers are the first on the order more versatile and functional. However, if you basically need to listen to music, then it is better to opt for the music player.

You should never forget that the more versatile a device is, the weaker it is in performing its functions.

Can a home theater and music center fully replace each other? Dear models will cope with this task. As a rule, among the top devices there is no question about the support of various formats and codecs, they are all supported. Hi-Fi class stereos comparable to home theaters H-Fi according to their capabilities.However, difficulties with the choice arise mainly with a limited budget, when considering the average price range. In this case, not all technology is equally good.

How to make the right choice?

To make a choice, you need to understand what you are buying home appliances for. Consider the use of several scenarios and decide which equipment is better to choose in each version.

The first option is for home

Purchase of equipment for home use, as they say, “for everything”. The buyer in this case has no special requirements for the quality of video and audio, he wants to buy one universal device. In this case, it will be necessary to have only basic functions, without additional requirements.

The best choice in this case would be to buy home theater budget or the average price range. A plus will be the presence of good acoustics and karaoke support.

The second option - for moviegoers

When choosing a technique for fans of watching movies, first of all, pay attention to the functionality and the presence of good speakers. Already from the task it is clear that home cinemas of the middle price range and more expensive models are best suited. Check out rated the best home theaters of 2017to make the right choice.

The third option is for music lovers.

For fans of listening to audio-home cinema is not suitable. They tend to use weak amplifiers. The ideal option would be selection of music center middle or top class. If necessary, you can choose models with cassette and vinyl player.

The fourth option - to give

When choosing equipment to give or another small room, it is better to focus on compact devices. Perfect for a small format music center or a compact home theater. Preference is best to give exactly the audio player: it is more mobile and compact.

A few words about the design

Today, when choosing a technique, the design is not in the last place. Often it is he who becomes the determining factor when buying equipment. Both types of the considered equipment in this matter are significantly different.It is impossible to imagine a home theater far from a TV or monitor, and speaking of design, they first represent the appearance of the acoustics from the kit. But the music center - quite stand alone device. He can both intentionally stand out from the general style of the room, and harmoniously complement it.