Speakers

Hey, the range of speakers is almost overwhelming. Firstly you need to consider what your computer is capable of and what you are expecting from your speakers. If all you need is a few beeps and basic system sounds then a $20 set of speakers are just what you need. However if you intend to listen to high quality DVD classical music then you must have a top quality sound card and at least quad surround sound speaker system. Of course anything in between is covered by the degree of quality and volume that you need. You may need just a single set of 2 basic speakers to listen to the radio while on the computer (or just use your laptop inbuilt speakers), a set of 2+1, 4+1, or any combination greater than this. The #+1 refers to the number of satellite speakers plus the subwoofer (base provider) and usually the more satellite speakers there are the better the surround sound impression. The number does not equal quality so listen to any system before spending big money. There are a plethora of suppliers for speaker systems and I recommend that if you are buying without listening to the speakers then make sure you stick to a known (reputable) brand. It may cost a few dollars more but it is worth it. The ideal way to buy speakers is to go into a well stocked supplier and ask to hear the speakers with one of your CDs playing. That way you know what the music should sound like and notice if any sounds are missing, or if its not the right quality. Ideally have a set of headphones to compare with. The closer the room is to your proposed placement at home is also important, if the shop is set up to bounce the sound around, or to muffle the sound, then they may sound great at the shop but perform very different at home.

Cable connection are also worth considering. Make sure you get quality speaker cable not just some cheap twited pair wires. The signal loss with improper wires will destroy any advantage you may have with quality soundcards and speakers. The only time this is irrelevant is if your speakers connect wirelessly (by bluetooth link).

Speaker application

A home theater system can have surround sound at high quality along with your digital projector to give a fantastic viewing experience. Having sound quality like Dolby as part of the speaker controls is definitely worth doing. Ensure you know where all the wires connect to and which ones relate to the sub-woofer, amp, left, right, front or back speakers. I like to label mine so its easy to manage when (not if) any movement is required. Most providers will give you a set of cable labels but if they forget just remind them that you would appreciate a set. If they don't carry them then many $2 stores or hardware stores have a range available.