A powerful, versatile AV receiver makes it possible to build a truly immersive home theater system. Your favorite movies, TV shows and even music sound exponentially better when backed by a robust AVR. However, to achieve the full potential of your new setup you must choose speakers carefully. When you know what to look for in high-quality speakers, you'll be well on your way to enjoying entertainment the way it was meant to be experienced.

Understand the specs

There are a lot of technical details involved when shopping for home theater speakers. Having a solid grasp on what specs impact a home theaters system most will help you make informed decisions.

For instance, speaker impedance is electrical resistance to the signal that your receiver sends, measured in ohms. This resistance prevents your equipment from burning itself out, so it's important to account for the power pushed out by your receiver. Most high-performance speakers have 8 ohms of impedance, but lower ratings will require a more powerful amplifier to function safely.

Sensitivity lets you know how much volume to expect from your speaker per watt of power. A higher rating indicates that your speaker will be able to hit greater peaks of sound more efficiently. A sensitivity above 88 decibels is a good starting point for any speaker you consider adding to your setup.

Take advantage of 3D audio

Home theater sound has taken a gigantic leap forward with the wide availability of receivers capable of handling object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D and DTS:X. If you want to experience the detailed imaging possible with this technology, choose your speakers accordingly. 3D audio makes use of more speakers and subwoofers than surround sound formats for unprecedented sonic complexity, even positioning sounds overhead.

The Definitive Technology BP9000 Series of floor-standing speakers offer integrated subwoofers and the option to use height modules that bounce sound off the ceiling. Advanced engineering brings you the total immersion of object-based audio through speakers built for exceptional power and clarity.

Find the right speakers to pair with your AV receiver by  taking a look at the full selection from Definitive Technology.