What Else Should I Look for When Shopping for Audio Equipment?

In addition to energy performance, there are other important operating and convenience features to consider when shopping for home audio equipment.

ENERGY STAR provides this information so you can select the best product for your individual needs. ENERGY STAR does not endorse any of the features or any of the sources of further information and product reviews mentioned below.

There are many features to choose from in today’s CD players, receivers, and speakers. Here’s a look:

Interested in Home Theater Systems or Surround Sound?
CD Players
Single vs. Multiple Disc

Single disc players hold just one disc at a time, requiring you to manually change discs to listen to another. Multidisc players typically hold three or more (five is common) discs in a carousel. CD players are available that hold large numbers of CDs, eliminating the need to store discs separately. For a system that can handle multiple discs, “play exchange” is a useful feature to have. This allows you to remove or exchange CDs that aren’t playing while another is being played.
Multiple Format Capabilities

Many CD players can also play home-recorded CDs on CD-R (recordable) or CD-RW (rewritable) discs or MP-3 formats. Be sure to understand which formats a particular CD player can play.
Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio

Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio are two new digital high-resolution audio CD formats that can hold far more information than a standard CD and offer up to six discrete channels. SACD and DVD-Audio both were designed to be compatible with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound and backward compatible, meaning that most will be able to be played on standard and older CD/DVD players.

Did you know that most DVD players can play CDs? When connected to a receiver and speakers, or when connected to a home theater system, most DVD players can play audio CDs. If you plan to purchase a DVD player and use it regularly to play CDs, you may want to consider a multidisc player over a single disc player.
Receivers

Several types of receivers are available in the marketplace, including basic stereo receivers which include AM and FM tuners and connections for attaching CD players and other audio equipment, audio/video or a/v receivers, and combination products such as DVD player/receivers both of which are used in home theater systems.

Knowing what components you want to connect is important in choosing a receiver that will support your needs. Do you only want to connect audio components like a CD player? Or, are you considering a home theater and need connections for a DVD player and a cable box? Will you need connections for surround sound? Answering these questions will help you determine what to look for in your home electronics purchase. A/V receivers on the market today generally have enough video and audio inputs (places for plugs) to accommodate a CD or DVD player, a VCR, and a cable box or satellite receiver.

Here are the typical inputs and their functions:

    * Antenna/cable: This is the most basic connection, and can be used with almost any video source.
    * Composite-video: Offers additional quality for video signals (e.g., for use with DVD, VCR, cable boxes).
    * S-video: Improves the image quality by separating the signal into two parts-color and brightness. For use with DVD, digital-cable boxes, satellite receivers, and camcorders.
    * Component-video: Potentially the best connection, since the video signal is split into three signals-two for color and one for brightness. It is usually used with DVD players.

Interested in surround-sound? Consider an a/v receiver. Most power at least six speakers and support Dolby Digital 5.1 and Digital Theater System, two of the most commonly used surround sound formats.
Speakers

Basic speakers fall into a number of different categories, but each is designed to carry a specific range of frequencies. Knowing the frequencies a speaker carries helps you pick the ideal type for your listening needs:

    * Bookshelf speakers reproduce a full range of frequencies, making them very versatile. Two bookshelf speakers can be used as the sole speakers with a conventional stereo system, or with a stereo TV. Two bookshelf speakers could also be used for the front or rear speakers in a surround system. Additionally, one speaker may be used as an economic alternative to the center-channel speaker in surround sound, if it is magnetically shielded so as not to interfere with the TV picture
    * Front speakers come in a variety of sizes and reproduce a wide range of sound frequencies. They are typically used in a home theater system
    * Center-channel speakers are dedicated to reproducing on-screen sound and dialogue. They are placed on top or just underneath the TV, and typically shielded so they won’t interfere with the picture.
    * Rear speakers complete the surround effect by providing background sound behind you. They add a sense of realism to surround sound.
    * Subwoofers are designed specifically for bass output. They are usually placed on the floor and are “powered,” which means that they have a built-in amplifier that requires an electrical power connection in addition to speaker wires. A subwoofer is critical for 5.1 surround-sound.

Home Entertainment

Did you know that you can save money and improve the acoustics of your home theater by making it more energy efficient?

    * Insulate and air seal your home theater to reduce outside noise and keep theater noise from bothering any neighboring rooms.
    * Look for the ENERGY STAR label on TVs, VCRs, and combination units, DVD and home audio products, and other electronics. Typically, these items use almost the same amount of energy whether off or on, but ENERGY STAR labeled home electronics power down to require only a few watts when turned off.