Most of us don’t regularly update our home entertainment systems. When we do engage in the time-consuming and often costly process of shopping for, selecting, and ultimately setting up or installing a new home entertainment system that suits our needs as well as our budget, we usually stick with that system for many years, making small updates here and there – new game consoles, a wall mount for the television – but leaving the big features untouched.

So if you’ve had the same TV for a decade, or the same sound system, it can be a little daunting to shop for new tech. Jumping into the entertainment tech marketplace after such a long time is kind of like dating after a long relationship falls through. According to Selby, home theatre experts, the technology changes quickly and it’s natural for the average shopper to be intimidated. The language can be different, the standards can be different, and without much background, it’s hard to tell when you’ve found a good deal or a product worth shelling out extra cash. The novice tech shopper has their work cut out for them as they approach the task of upgrading their living room’s entertainment capability. So we’ve done some of the work for you, and compiled this brief intro to home entertainment tech that should set you on the right path.

The Current State of TVs

The average household typically invests in a new television set about every 7 years. That’s quite a long time, especially in terms of consumer tech development, so it’s safe to say you won’t be able to find something like the old bubble-screened tube TVs you grew up with, or even the plasma-based flatscreen displays that were popular in the early days of HD consumer televisions, now largely replaced by LCD. These days, just about every TV sold is going to have at least a 720p resolution – that’s the very bottom tier of HD resolution, at 1280x720 pixels – and if you’re looking for a screen to suit your master bedroom or guest room, that will probably do. The next step up is Full HD, clocking in at 1920x1080 pixels.

But for the visual centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, you’ll want to go bigger and badder, and that means two things: 4K resolution, and an OLED screen.

4K resolution is loosely defined as a resolution with a horizontal pixel count near or around 4,000. Most 4K displays feature a resolution of 3840x2160, or four times the pixel count of Full HD. Nowadays, all premium television displays feature 4K resolution; 4K is quickly becoming the new standard for HDTV displays and content produced for home viewing.

And on top of that, the best TVs sold in 2022 use OLED technology for their screens. OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. Unlike LCD (liquid-crystal display) screens, which rely on LED backlights, OLED screens emit visible light directly from their pixels – or don’t in the case of blacks. This results in deeper blacks, brighter whites, and clearer, crisper images. But that’s not the end of LCD screens, which typically last longer than OLEDs. Still, many consider the benefits of OLEDs, to be worth the tradeoff.

Audio in the Living Room

Even the best TVs aren’t known for their audio presentation, and while it may be somewhat obvious which kinds of TV screens are the best, the world of home audio is a little less cut-and-dry, so we’re going to focus on three main categories: bluetooth soundbars, amp & speaker combos, and home-integrated audio systems.

Bluetooth Soundbars

Ranking at the top in terms of ease of installation and setup is the bluetooth soundbar. Soundbars are designed to fit underneath or above your television and take up as little space as possible, keeping a low profile while delivering proper audio. If your intention is to make an improvement – any improvement – over the abysmal audio quality of your TV set, a soundbar may be your best bet.

Bluetooth soundbars come in a staggering variety of sizes, styles, and prices. Generally speaking, the less expensive the soundbar, the quieter and less equipped it will be. Depending on room size and general audio goals, an inexpensive soundbar may do the trick for you, while some larger ones may even rival full-fledged audio systems.

The overwhelming majority of soundbars are equipped with bluetooth. This will most likely not come into play when connecting your TV, since physical connections like an optical audio cable will always be best, but if you want to quickly stream music from your phone or laptop, you’ll be thankful for bluetooth. This feature, along with voice command, is one of the main reasons some people will choose a bluetooth soundbar over a more thorough sound system.

Amp & Speaker Combos

If you fancy yourself an audiophile, you probably won’t find much satisfaction in even the best soundbar. Instead, you’ll want to go the old-school route: a dedicated amplifier, and a set of quality standing or bookshelf speakers, as well as a subwoofer.

If you’re not familiar with these terms,let’s get that out of the way:

Amplifier: a device which converts an audio signal from a source, such as a television or phone, into a stronger signal that can be used to drive, or power, a set of speakers. Some amplifiers have radios built in. These are referred to as receivers, and are appropriate for big terrestrial radio (FM and AM) listeners.

Speakers: speakers come in all shapes and sizes, and are found everywhere. Your TV has speakers, for instance, though they aren’t very good. They can take the form of freestanding speakers mounted on stands or poles, shelf-mounted speakers, or even wall- and ceiling-mounted speakers. (Speakers can either be passive or active; active speakers don’t require an amp, since they use built-in amplification, but do each require a dedicated power source. In general, passive speakers are recommended due to their lasting value, since they can be kept in use while their amplification is upgraded over time.)

Subwoofer: a subwoofer is a speaker designed specifically to produce the lowest audio frequencies – the bass – with clarity and volume. While most large speakers can handle low frequencies well enough, many consider subwoofers essential for accurately reproducing the bass in music, film, games, and other entertainment. In general, most audio, especially music, is mixed and mastered with bass-heavy audio systems in mind.

Picking the Right Amp and Speakers

While many amp and speaker combos are sold as a matching set under one brand, it’s possible, and sometimes preferable, to mix and match amps and speakers. Always choose an amp that has the features you need. For example, some receivers feature bluetooth and auxiliary jack inputs as well as, or instead of, radio functionality, while some manufacturers opt to leave out the bells and whistles for pure, consistent quality.

When it comes to speakers and subs, the general idea is to think about your volume needs. That depends not just on your personal taste – do you like to blast music, or enjoy at a leisurely volume? – but also on the size of your living room. In a relatively small living room, large freestanding speakers may be wasted. In a large living room where parties are frequently hosted, small bookshelf speakers probably won’t cover your needs.

Start by selecting a pair of speakers that are size-appropriate and within your budget. Then, it’s time to pick an amp. Your amp should provide at least 1.5 times the minimum power requirement of your speakers. If your speakers support biwiring, try to find an amp designed for biwired connections. This will result in a purer and more precise sound definition; you’ll know if speakers are capable of biwired connections if they feature four wire terminals on the rear, instead of two.