Home Theater Speakers

I’m shopping for home theater speakers. But I’m not anywhere near the buying phase, just yet. Purchase decisions like this take time, around these parts. The problem is, I’m easily struck with buyers remorse. Consequently, I tend to research things to death. I couldn’t bear the thought of buying the wrong set of home theater speakers. To that end, I’ve come up with a short checklist. My new home theater speakers must: a) sound great, b) make a design statement, and c) not break the bank.

Everyone knows Bose - that’s exactly why I’m leaning towards other manufacturers. “You can’t go wrong with buying IBM,” goes the old adage. I’m not so sure the same can be said for buying Bose. While their speakers sound fine to my ears, I’m not keen on the fact that everybody and their brother-in-law has a set.

B and C combined are as important as A. I’m looking for something different. Needless to say, I’ll be steering clear of most standard-fare home theater in a box systems (A is surely the biggest single factor). I’ll hold the line on costs by going with a 5.1 setup, rather than a 6.1 or 7.1 system. Five speakers should blanket the living room with sound just fine. (Well, that’s my story at least, and I’m sticking to it.)

I’ve read some nice things about Klipsch home theater speakers. Good design and reasonable price, or so they say. I haven’t actually heard the Klipsch speakers, tho. Field testing is one of the final steps. (I suppose I’ll have to learn how to pronounce their name before I make a fool of myself, yet again.)

I’m positively intrigued by the Orb home theater systems. Their brushed metal designs are wicked cool and I’m very much into the fact that Orb’s speakers are handmade right here in the good old USA. The spherical cases might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I dig their sci-fi looks.

Orb sells direct. Good for prices, bad for demos. Actually getting to hear a set of Orbs isn’t easy, unless you’re near their demo centers in New York and Los Angeles. The big question: would I make the trek into the city to hear a set of Orbs?