Tips for Getting the Best Sound Quality in Your Own Home
If you’re an audiophile and are a little obsessed with getting the best sound quality for your music, TV, and movies, we get it. While it would be nice to go out and buy the best sound system money can buy, that’s not within everyone’s budget. So, here are some tips to make the most of the sound system you already have.
1. Check your current sound system
Do a maintenance check of your current sound system and look for frayed cables or signs of damage underneath speaker grills. If your system is under warranty, you may be able to have a technician come take a look, or have fellow music-loving friends listen to your system and offer advice.
2. Check your receiver settings
You may not like the default receiver settings that came with your sound system. Look at the manual or research online how you can alter those settings. Some sound experts recommend eliminating any equalization and defeating the tone controls for better quality sound.
3. Use quality cables
Unfortunately, cheap cables can add a lot of unwanted noise to your system. Be sure to get the best RCA, USB, digital optical, digital coaxial, and HDMI cables and don’t skimp on speaker wire either. It can make a big difference.
4. Listen to high-quality media
If you’re truly passionate about music, you may want to invest in high-resolution digital music files which sound considerably better than music from typical streaming services like iTunes or Amazon. There are a number of websites that offer high-resolution downloads and streaming, although you may pay more for these services. And if you’re old–school, analog music lovers should look for remastered albums on 180-gram vinyl.
5. Try a digital-to-analog (DAC) converter
A DAC is a piece of equipment to add to your signal chain that can improve the sound quality of digital files that have been compressed, improving detail, clarity, and depth.
6. Check your home network
Especially if you decide to stream or download high-resolution music, you need a strong home network that can handle the traffic without buffering or lagging. Consider upgrading your internet service or router if you are having issues.
7. Elevate your speakers
Vibration, either through the floor or through the furniture your speakers are sitting on, can also add an unwanted hum or rattle to your music or movies. Look for speaker stands for smaller speakers or carpet spikes/floor disks for tower speakers.
If you’re passionate about sound, maybe it’s time to turn that passion into a rewarding career. The International College of Broadcasting (ICB) offers an amazing program in Video Production and Audio Engineering to help talented students like you prepare for an exciting career in the audio industry. Contact us today to learn more!