Home Theater News – How Dealers Can Make a Living Selling Home Theater Systems

home theater news

Home theater has changed a lot in the past 25 years. While it’s not dead by any means, the hobby and business isn’t what it was when Theo Kalomirakis designed red velvet art deco dedicated screening rooms all over the world with a popcorn maker in the corner.

Today’s AV gear is smaller, less expensive and easier to use. In fact, most of it can be set up by a non-technical person in minutes and can usually be controlled with either a smartphone or tablet. And while there’s still a lot of money to be made in home cinema, many consumers are opting for a simpler setup that delivers the best picture quality with minimal cost and hassle.

As a result, the demand for home theater systems isn’t as strong as it was in the boom times of 1997 and 2006. But there are still plenty of opportunities for dealers to make a living if they keep up with the latest developments in TVs, soundbars, projectors and other AV gear.

For example, AV receivers are more powerful and feature-packed than ever before. There are models with built-in power for 15-speaker surround systems, high-resolution audio streaming and room EQ processing using cutting-edge technologies from Audyssey and Dirac. And a growing number of AV receivers are equipped with voice activation so you can control them with Alexa or Google Assistant.

In addition, manufacturers are working on TVs that will let you watch 3D movies without the need for cumbersome glasses. This could be a game changer for the industry if it takes off and makes 3D viewing available to a wider audience.

Finally, IMAX has launched a program called IMAX Enhanced that allows a wide range of TVs to deliver the same enveloping movie experience you’d get in a commercial cinema. The program is an excellent way for dealers to differentiate themselves by offering the ultimate in immersive entertainment at home.

The days of home cinema playing second fiddle to commercial cinema are over, according to Steve Silberman, director of product marketing-entertainment for Savant. “With 4K Ultra Blu-Ray and Kaleidescape content, plus the ability to deliver stunning image quality with uncompressed sources, a home system can rival any theater in the world,” Silberman says. “With a coordinated control system like Savant and the ability to play Dolby Atmos, customers are thrilled with their investment.”

So keep up with the latest home theater news by checking out our articles on new TVs, projectors, soundbars and more. And be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you never miss a video review, comparison test or other interesting home theater news. We may earn commission on sales from the links in this article, but we only recommend products that we believe our readers will find helpful. We’re independently owned and operated. Wirecutter’s editorial picks are independently chosen and curated by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.