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Supercharge your FIFA experience




Audio
Having stunning pictures is just half the equation for a fulfilling FIFA World Cup experience. Recreating the excitement of the rowdy stadium atmosphere brings you right into the heat of the action for that extra oomph. No TV audio subsystem can ever come close to the true enveloping effects of a multichannel home theater system. Here, two Dolby solutions are used to bring the stadium acoustics to life: Dolby Prologic 2 and Dolby Digital.

Dolby Prologic 2 is a stereo-compatible matrix surround decoding technology which processes standard two-channel audio into 5.1-channel surround sound. It works with normal TV and cable broadcast and is a tried-and-tested solution for enveloping sound effect. Users will have a choice of either music or movie mode to go with and the latter is the preferred choice for our FIFA needs.

Up the performance ladder is the Dolby Digital surround sound format. It differs from the former with discreet six-channel programming and is the de facto multichannel audio employed in a wide variety of applications ranging from DVD software to Microsoft Xbox game titles. Not surprisingly, this is also the chosen audio format encoded in HDTV and digital cable programs.

Both Dolby Pro Logic 2 and Dolby Digital can be found in a variety of home theater systems. They range from affordable home-theater-in-a-box to component-level receivers and processors. For seamless integration with HD settop boxes and distortion-free audio, it is recommended to target a set with digital audio input and an adequately powered amplifier with at least 75W per channel--the higher, the better if you own a spacious entertainment room.

Audio parameters
Specifications
Power
75W and above
Surround formats
Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic 2
Interface
Digital audio inputs
Feature


Hot recommendations
Auditing a sound system can be a time-consuming exercise for some, let alone a complex multichannel kit with all the bells and whistles. That’s why we took the liberty to compile the following list of competent wired and wireless home-theater-in-a-box for your listening pleasure. If you are going all out for performance, check our comprehensive guide on what's in stores for component-level equipment here.



Tips and tricks
The installation of a home theater requires meticulous planning, particular the speaker placement. Ideally, these should be spaced at a matching distance from the sweet spot with the surround speakers mounted either by the side or the rear. For optimum performance, always line the speakers' tweeter at ear level and experiment with subwoofer placement. Go for corner placement for enhanced bass effect but keep a tab on the allowance to prevent bloating.

 

 

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