Buying a Stereo

Thing No. 1  

Unless you’re an audiophile, you don’t need separate components. 

The first and most often asked question by persons new to home audio is:  Should I buy “components” or a “system?” As much as we just like to tell you what to do here at Five Things, this buying decision is dependent solely on your personal tastes and situation. If your goal is quick and easy sound on a budget, an all-in-one or pre-packaged solution is the best one.
Depending on how quick and how easy we’re talking about here, the first path, and usually the one that most people start with, is the all-in-one home stereo. These are characterized by little or no “hook up” of the various pieces in the system. Easy enough.

Thing No. 2  

Make sure you cover your basics. 

Tuner for AM/FM stereo broadcast with memory presets plus AM/FM antenna
•    CD Player (make sure it can play MP3, CD-R and CD-RW so whatever kind of mix your new sweetheart gives you, you can play it.)
•    Speakers with at least two drivers.  This is where that woofer/tweeter business comes in.  (If you must know, tweeter is for high frequency sounds and woofer for bass and mid-frequency sounds.  There, don't you feel snappy now?)  Also, make sure you can detach the speaker wire from both the speakers and the main unit so you can substitute longer wire if need be.
•    Speaker wire. Enough to mount the speakers at the right distance from the main unit and from each other.  Proper speaker placement actually makes a difference even on these small units.
•    Amplifier. Many of the mini systems will advertise high-output amplification. It’s not uncommon for a mini-system to produce 100-300 total watts per channel. In our not-in-the-least-bit modest opinion, this is overkill. If your mini-system produces twenty clean and clear watts of sound, you’ll enjoy it much more than the 300-watt “mega-mini” that sounds distorted and obnoxious. As a famous pioneer in high-end sound once said “If the first watt of power sounds horrible, why would you want 99 more just like it?”
•    Auxiliary Inputs.  Your mini-system should at least have “line-in” and “line-out” jacks at the rear of the unit.
So, you think the mini-system is beneath you do ya?
Well, okay fancy pants.  The other path is the component-based (or “separates”) stereo system. If you have specific desires or needs that your equipment must meet (like perhaps your need to show off or to show your face proudly at the AV club meeting) and, unlike the rest of us, you’re not afraid of catching your hair on fire and connecting wires, your best option is to buy a components-based system and hook it up baby.

Check reviews at: cnet.

If you are attempting to build an entire system of the finest available components and money is no object, then we’re guessing you don’t need us.  We’re impressed.  Invite us over for a party. But, if you’re creating a system of separates on at least a somewhat limited budget read on.

Thing No. 3 

Buy at a specialty store. 

Since you're making this sound system a serious part of your life, then you want a retailer with whom you have a relationship.  Do the usual first date size-up; how serious are they? Are they a fly-by-night or are they going to stick around for a while?  Get a sense of their values – What manufacturers do they carry and why? What is their commitment to care and what are their divorce policies? Do they have their papers? Make sure that they are members of CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) and/or PARA (Professional Audio Retailers Association).

Thing No. 4 

Take it for a test drive. 

Many audio-only boutiques will allow you to test equipment for a limited time in your home.  This allows you to see how it will sound in the real world.  This is a big benefit of the local audio-only dealer.

Thing No. 5 

Buy used. 

This is a great way to build a wicked system inexpensively.  Many well-established audio-only stores will deal in previously owned equipment. Typically, these pieces can be had for 25-50% off of their original retail price. That means that for the cost of a marginal-performing piece sold at a big-box retailer, you can acquire a truly great performer.

See more about used pricing in the More Things section below.