Non-powered speakers, formerly known simply as "speakers," require an external amplifier or receiver. This group includes the following types:
Floor-standing speakers
Also known as tower speakers, floor-standing speakers are just the ticket for large rooms and anyone who lives life out loud. Their large enclosures help tower speakers deliver more bass than their smaller bookshelf cousins.
Bookshelf speakers
Want clear, detailed sound from a compact set of speakers? Look at bookshelf speakers. Perfect for stereo music systems, they're also good for the front or rear channels of a home theater system.
Center channel speakers
The center channel of a home theater system is full of important sounds, including most of what the actors have to say. That's why you'd be wise to get a good center channel speaker. Look for one that's "voice matched" with your left and right speakers. That means all three speakers should all be from the same brand and the same series within the brand and series.
Surround speakers
Surround speakers create the dramatic sonic envelope that makes home theater so much fun. Placed beside and/or behind you, they transport you into the story unfolding on your big-screen TV. What kind of speakers work as surround speakers? Good question! The most popular options are bookshelf speakers, in-wall speakers, and special bipole/dipole models that fire sound in multiple directions. Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers provide overhead sound effects by bouncing sound off your ceiling.
Surround sound speaker systems
The easy way to get a well-matched home theater speaker setup is to buy a prepackaged 5- or 6-piece system. All these bundles include front left and right speakers, a center channel speaker, and two surround speakers. Most also include a powered subwoofer.
Outdoor speakers
Weather-resistant speakers help you bring the joy of music to your outdoor living spaces. You can install speakers on an exterior wall above your deck or patio. Or scatter them throughout your landscape. Some are disguised as rocks, so they blend in to your garden scenery. You can even get an outdoor subwoofer to accentuate the bass.
In-wall speakers
Want great sound without the clutter of conventional speakers? Consider in-wall speakers. Most are paintable. Basic models are designed to install vertically and are perfect for background music. Some are purpose-built for hidden home theater and can mount horizontally for use on the center channel.
Ceiling speakers
Want music flowing throughout your home like light from the windows? Ceiling speakers are the answer. They're even less conspicuous than in-wall models. Wondering how many you need to adequately cover your listening spaces? Contact our A/V Design team for help with a system plan.
On-wall speakers
Most bookshelf speakers can be mounted on a wall. But this special collection consists mainly of speakers that were designed with wall mounting in mind.
