Speakers are the most integral part of any audio system, therefore it is good to do a little bit of research about speakers before you buy them. Choosing speakers is one of the most important tasks in setting up any audio or audio/video system. The first step in choosing speakers is deciding what you need and where the speakers will go. It is very important to know where you are going to place your speakers as different rooms can have different requirements. Large rooms require more power in order for speakers to output high volume levels without distortion, so you probably need larger amplifiers for a large room or more efficient speakers. If however, you have a small room you won't have to worry as much about amplifier power and speaker efficiency ratings. To help you in making the right choices when looking for speakers, you should consider the following points before your purchase.
How accurately the speakers can play the highest and the lowest frequency is known as the frequency range. You may come across speakers that go bombastic on a high frequency song while being almost inaudible at low frequencies. A good pair of speakers would know how to strike a balance and play each sound at the right level.
With some speakers, when the volume is increased, the sound tends to get fuzzy or grainy. At the same time, the speaker cannot play sounds at low volumes after reaching a certain point. While some speakers will play all sounds alike and don’t distinguish between soft tones and harsh tones.
When you face such problems you can be assured that it is because of poor frequency range and imbalance. The best way to test the neutrality of the speakers is to play recorded human voice. Does the voice sound just the way it does in real life or does it sound fuzzy? Does it sound as if the individual is speaking in just one tone or are the modulations distinct? If the speaker is able reproduce sound exactly the way it sounded in reality, then the speaker is definitely well balanced and has a good frequency range.
These days all music tracks are digitally recorded with special effects. A live program or performance must be recorded in a simple manner and should not be touched up or given any special effects. Some speakers would reproduce this sound in such a way that it creates the same aura and spatial characteristics. This ability of speakers is known as sound staging. Although it is a fairly standard feature, not all speakers sound stage well.
2.2 - Volume Control
At what volume do you generally prefer your speakers to be? Some speakers are not loud enough even when set to the highest mode. Few others are too loud even in a low mode. Many speakers sound grainy when the volume is increased while some speakers play good only at one certain volume mode. A good speaker will play equally well at every volume mode. Make sure to test yours in both the highest and the lowest volume to check the overall potential of the speakers.
2.3 - Choice of Music
What kind of music do you frequently listen to? Classical, jazz or folk plays at lower frequencies and with less of bass. Rock and Rap music on the contrary both have very heavy bass. If you listen to the former, you would want a pair of speakers that would eliminate bass and give you more mid and high end in your music. If you listen more of the latter, you would want a pair of speakers with heavy bass that create a thumping impact even at low volumes.
2.4 - Speaker Placement
Are you going to place the speakers on either ceiling corners or would you be placing them on either sides of the computer? Or do you have plans of placing
