Learning center / Acoustics by building type / Home theater

Common acoustic mistakes in home theaters

The errors we see most often in home theaters, and how to avoid them.

2 minute read · Updated Nov 2026

Most disappointing results in home theaters come from a few predictable mistakes.

  1. Making the room too dead so it loses its sense of space
  2. Skipping bass treatment
  3. Expecting panels to stop sound reaching the floor above
  4. Buying by the panel instead of by the absorption the room needs.
  5. Confusing absorption with soundproofing.

Avoid all of these by starting with the panel count and the placement guide.