Adding an amp to your system can be a great way to get music from non-streaming sources into your wireless speakers, and also to get streaming music out to non-wireless speakers. But in the amp game, it’s hard to know what features you need and …
How to Connect an iPhone to an A/V Receiver
Smartphones have become all-in-one entertainment center for video, audio, and more. While our smartphones can do seemingly anything, the audio sometimes just doesn’t cut it. If you’ve been wondering how to connect your smartphone to your home theater system, there are several simple ways to …
Yamaha WXA-50 vs. WXC-50: What’s the Difference?
Sure the Yamaha WXA-50 and WXC-50 are both in Yamaha’s MusicCast line and they send sound to speakers. But that’s about as far as their similarities go. Try to substitute one for the other, and you could blow out your speakers or simply get no …
The Sonos Connect Amp: What it Does and How it Works
If you already have a Sonos home audio system, or even if you’re just starting to consider dipping your toe in, the Sonos Connect Amp is a tool you’ll want to consider. For larger homes, it can help you manage sound “zones” in an easy …
How to Connect a TV to a Receiver Without HDMI
If you want to connect your TV to a receiver, an HDMI cable is usually the way to go. If you happen to not have an HDMI jack on your TV, your receiver, or both, you may be searching for alternative ways to hook up …
How to Add Bluetooth to an A/V or Stereo Receiver
If you’re pursuing an entirely wireless home theater (our guide), you’ll probably consider adding Bluetooth to your receiver at some point. There are a lot of different Bluetooth receivers on the market. Not all of them are intended for home theater sound, so you need …
What is a Pre-Out on an A/V Receiver and When Would You Use It?
Receiver’s can be complicated devices, and it’s easy to lose track of what specs and ports you need. One feature some receivers have–a Pre-Out–can be especially confusing. If you’re looking into buying an A/V receiver, you may be wondering what a pre-out is and how …
Do Soundbars Need an Amplifier or Receiver?
A soundbar is a great way to minimize the footprint of your home theater system. They are a sleek sound solution that greatly reduces the number of cables you need. If you’re switching from a speaker system to a soundbar, you might be wondering if …
Does a Receiver Need to Support HDR?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is an exciting new technology that makes your viewing experience come to life. HDR gives you a wider range of white and black, allowing for lifelike reflections, sun glares, and shadows. HDR comes in two main varieties: HDR10 which is open …
Can You Damage Speakers by Under Powering Them?
There are a lot of numbers, components, and various specs that go into creating the perfect home theater system. If you’re looking to build or upgrade the sound component of your setup, confusion around speaker and amplifier power ratings can be confusing. And a quick …