OTHER TECH

9.HOOKING UP Having a kitchen stocked with the best ingredients doesn't guarantee a terrific meal. Likewise, just having great gear doesn't promise a great system. Everything first needs to be correctly set up.

I can't emphasize enough the importance of proper speaker placement. In a perfect world, all five (or six or seven) satellite speakers would be arrayed in a circle with each speaker at the same distance from the listener. But don't worry if your room doesn't allow for this - speaker makers have found ways to compensate for less than perfect conditions. Still, there are a few rules you should follow for the best sound:

1) The center speaker should be directly above or below the TV screen (or directly behind it if you're using an acoustically transparent projection screen as in a movie theater). 2) The front left and right speakers should be equally spaced from the center speaker, forming an equilateral triangle with the main listening position. 3) The surround speakers should never be ahead of the listening position. While it's easy to be overwhelmed by the number of cables involved in connecting a system, follow this simple rule: one cable at a time.

Also, you'll never regret spending the time to label each cable at both ends. Trust me.

If your installation requires things like running wires inside walls or under carpeting, cutting holes in walls, or mounting speakers - or you just want to make sure it's done right the first time - consider hiring a pro. The Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA.net) has members across the country who are ready and willing to step in.