Amplifiers and Smart TVs: Building Your Entertainment System

The recent advancement in technology, particularly when it comes to smart-enabled and IoT devices, has drastically transformed our home entertainment landscape. This is particularly true when it comes to Smart-TVs and sound system amplifiers. 

These two key components of your home entertainment system are solely responsible for your viewing and auditory experience, and in this guide, we‘ll discuss some of the most important things to look for when choosing these devices and building a comprehensive home entertainment system.

Choosing the Right Smart-TV

Smart TVs are a centerpiece of any home entertainment system, as they offer a wide variety of options to choose from. DVDs aren’t really a thing anymore, considering that we live in an era of streaming, which is why Smart-enabled TVs allow you to stream content directly from your favorite streamers, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others, without the need for additional devices. 

Furthermore, even if the app for your favorite streamer doesn’t ship with the TV set, you can always install it or simply stream stuff on YouTube. The possibilities are nearly unlimited. Here’s what you need to pay attention to: 

Screen Size — Having a big TV screen right in front of you in a small room can be an overwhelming and unpleasant viewing experience, and reading subtitles alone could have you rocking your head left to right as if you were watching a live tennis match. The best way to do this is to simply use an online calculator, which will help you determine the best screen size based on your distance sitting away from the TV. Please note that bigger isn’t always better. 

Resolution — Screen resolution ties to screen size but not to the way people think. Buying a 4K 40-in TV doesn’t necessarily provide a better viewing experience over 1080p for a screen of that size. However, the same cannot be said for 55-inch screens or bigger. In that case, buying a 4K screen would provide a crisper, more detailed image for a more cinematic experience. 

HDR Compatibility — HDR enhances the color and contrast of images, allowing the Smart-enabled TV to display a wider range of colors and contrasts for a more life-like picture. 

Audio Outputs — Most modern TVs come with a ton of audio connectivity options. If you’re considering surround sound, choose a TV with HDMI ARC or eARC audio connections. Alternatively, you can also opt for Toslink (optics) for transmitting Dolby Digital or DTS 5.1 surround sound. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3.5mm Audio Jacks, RCA, or Component Audio outputs are typically used for stereo—which brings us to the following.

Choosing the Perfect Amplifier

While Smart TVs are revolutionary in terms of visual and convenience aspects of home entertainment, they’re often equipped with single-channel or dual-channel audio of generic quality. And while there are some exceptions to this rule, most people prefer to have a dedicated audio setup for their home entertainment system. This is where audio amplifiers come in. 

Audio amplifiers are designed to receive a weak audio signal from your source—in this case, your Smart TV—and amplify it to a level that’s strong enough to drive your speakers. As such, amplifiers play a crucial role in complementing the visuals on your smart TV. Here’s what you need to know when choosing the perfect amplifier: 

Power Output — Power output rating, measured in Watts, refers to the amplifier’s ability to drive your speakers. A higher output can produce a higher volume without distortions. However, it’s crucial the amp’s power output isn’t higher than your speakers’ power handling capacity. In fact, we recommend that your speakers’ power handling capacity is at least 30% higher than the power output of your amp. 

Frequency Response — Frequency response refers to the sound frequency range your amp can handle. Of course, a broader frequency range response will reproduce a more accurate sound output, ranging from deep bass to clear mids and high treble. 

Channels — Choose an amplifier that matches the number of speakers in your audio system or the audio input/output. For example, if you have a 5.1-channel home theater system, you’ll need an amp with at least five channels. 

Inputs/Outputs — This point touches upon the previous point a bit. It’s highly unlikely for a TV to have three separate 3.5mm audio jacks for 5.1 audio or five 3.5mm jacks for 7.1. So, choose an amp with an input that can support the audio standard you strive towards. Additionally, choosing an amp with several inputs is always good in case you want to connect multiple devices, such as a Smart TV, a home gaming console, or an audio playback device, such as a gramophone. 

Summary

Consider the factors listed above when selecting a Smart TV and audio amplifier for your home entertainment system. Fortunately, the integration of these systems has become increasingly seamless over the years, driven by further technological advancements. Still, if you happen to have any questions or quandaries about home entertainment system integrations, don’t hesitate to contact KOA EDI—we’ll do our best to help you with your inquiry.