You might think that great surround sound is easy. Just buy the system, set it up, and presto, incredible surround sound. Admittedly, there are some soundbars and system-in-a-box solutions that will give you decent surround sound from movies and shows. On the other hand, you’re not likely to get that visceral, blown away feeling from any of them. 

For truly stellar, immersive, “OMG, that's so incredible!” sound like you’ve only experienced at the best movie theaters, you need a real, full surround sound system with separate components and speakers. Even then, you still won't be blown away unless it's properly set up. Keep reading to learn more about three areas that merit special attention when setting up a surround sound system. 

We know what you're thinking. We're barely through the holidays, and we are already talking about the Super Bowl. But the NFL showdown for the coveted Lombardi Trophy comes along in early February, so it's not too early to start thinking about it – especially if you want to have the best audio and video setup for the game.

Did you know that up to 7% of consumers buy a TV expressly for the Super Bowl? That’s an impressive number driven by one event. Of course, the large screen TV or projector purchase will be a pleasure to own far beyond the upcoming Super Bowl game.

While a big screen is a must for football, don’t forget about the sound. A surround sound system can really make you feel like you’re at the game while in the comfort of your Smyrna, GA home.

In this blog, let’s explore some sight and sound upgrades to make your next Super Bowl party the best ever. 

SEE ALSO: Big Surround Sound, Even Bigger Screens

CEDIA is the largest trade authority in the home technology integration business. Not only do integrators like Georgia Home Theater attend for the latest in-home technology trends and continuing education, but the accompanying CEDIA Expo also covers thousands of square feet with the latest and greatest in home theaters, audio, smart home automation and more.

The CEDIA Expo always features exciting new products that point to the future. This year, there were many exciting introductions, but in the home theater space, a couple stood out for us: the incredible sound from Klipsch’s new Pro Cinema Home surround sound system and the extraordinary picture quality of Sony’s 8K displays.

Read on to learn more about these two exciting innovations from CEDIA 2019 and see if they're the next big thing for your media room or home theater in Dunwoody, GA.

We recently added Monitor Audio to our burgeoning collection of hi-fi audio brands, already one of the most extensive in Atlanta. While their Platinum series is highly regarded and well-reviewed, their broad architectural (built-in) speaker line is one that also deserves your attention. They offer the same accurate, detailed Monitor Audio sound in a package discreetly hidden in the walls.

Many different types of speakers can work for home theater and media room duty. Floor standers, stand-mount bookshelf and mini-towers, on-wall, in-wall, and in-ceiling can all be used. The choice depends mainly on your design and style preferences and sometimes on the layout and construction of your media space.

While in-ceiling speakers are de rigueur for height effects from Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive soundtracks, some people think architectural speakers represent a compromise in sound quality for the sake of style. Once upon a time, that may have been true - but no more. This month, we have a case in point - Monitor Audio’s Controlled Performance Series. Simply put, they produce some of the most incredible sound we’ve ever heard from architectural speakers at Georgia Home Theater. So if you are looking for a surround sound system for your media space in Alpharetta or Atlanta, you owe it to yourself to listen to these.

Read on to learn more about the Monitor Audio Controlled Performance line.

Dolby Atmos was introduced to much fanfare for home theaters in 2014. The new format was trumpeted as one of the biggest advances in multi-channel audio in years. Indeed, it brought a more immersive 3D sound to home theater. Consumer electronics partners jumped on the bandwagon early, and products like speakers, receivers, and UHD Blu-ray players started appearing in the market over the next two years.

While new technology is great, you need things that take advantage of it. For Dolby Atmos, the content was slow in coming. The first movie for home viewing released in Atmos on Blu-ray was Transformers, Age of Extinction. Video games like Star Wars: Battlefront followed as Dolby worked with content makers to make full use of the new format. While these titles were excellent showcases for the format, others were slow in coming.

Fast forward to 2019, and all that has changed dramatically. For one, there are over 4400 theaters in the U.S. with immersive Dolby Atmos sound, exposing millions of theatergoers to new levels in cinema audio. Almost every new AV receiver and surround processor now sports support for the format, with most supporting its competitor DTS:X as well. Apple recently announced Dolby Atmos support for the 4K Apple TV and is upgrading its iTunes movie rental offerings to Atmos as well. Amazon's latest streaming stick also supports the sound format. Speakers from respected brands like Bowers and Wilkins and Klipsch are available, both in surface mount or architectural styles designed expressly for delivering those three-dimensional height and positional overhead effects.

You may be thinking: What can I watch with a Dolby Atmos surround sound system in my Roswell or Metro Atlanta home’s media room? The answer is plenty - read on to learn more.