Home Theater Consulting Services

Looking for stereo/Hi-Fi or home theater component equipment, but not sure what to buy, nor where to buy?

We can help. Vincent has been in the Hi-Fi/Home Theater arena for over 45 years, and is very knowledgeable in this industry. Share what your goals and budget are, and we'll search our sources for the best option and best deal. Your ideal solution may not be as hard to find as you think. While we do not have any formal agreement or relationship with any manufacturer, el Consulting will consider your individual recommendations and.or desires, if you have some. We put your interests first. We actively look for the best deals given the price range, quality, features, and potential service capability by the manufacturers, and then we make our recommendations accordingly.


"Vincent LaVallee is worth his weight in gold. Not only has he made us more computer savvy in every way, he very easily and effectively helped us upgrade our sound system both for the television and disk playing. Since he lives across the country from us, he looked at photos of our living space and discussed our listening needs before he designed the setup and suggested specific components at a number of price points. He gave us specific suggestions about quality products from a receiver to speakers to cables and other hardware. We love the quality of our sound system, truly transformational for basic television watching as well as the most nuanced classical music."


Eleanor and Bobby Patton, Kansas


"In addition to Vincent’s computer expertise, he is very knowledgeable with Hi-fi and Home Theaters systems and equipment. He purchased for me a nice, low cost receiver (UHD capable), a very pleasant low profile center channel speaker, and all the wiring needed to connect to my main and rear speakers. When I am ready I will have him order a sub woofer too, but my system now sounds sooooo great! He even created a Word file for me with detailed instructions on how to run it all! Whenever I’ve run into a problem that required help, Vincent has been a phone call away in helping me find a solution."

Shirley Haralson, California


A simple audio system can start out as just a stereo system, which would include 2 main speakers (book shelf or floor standing speakers), a receiver (or some form of electronic device, which includes pre-amplifiers) that is used to select an input device, and then, in the case of a receiver, amplify the audio that goes to the speakers. Of course, one or more sound sources(s) should be connected to the electronic device as well. This electronic device is often a receiver. Sources for a simple two channel stereo system could be a CD, a tape deck, vinyl, or the digital MP2 and most of MP3 audio devices. This type of system is called a 2.0 sound system (2 speakers).

A home theater system would consist of at least 3 speakers - 2 mains and a center channel speaker, with similar electronics as in the 2.0 system, plus a TV or projector, and usually 2 rear speakers as well, making this a 5.0 system. With today's video sources, a center channel speaker is needed since most video sources send the voice material to the center channel, so now all home theater systems require a center channel speaker (NOT a Sound Bar! See Sound Bar below). In addition, in order to get a more realistic bass sound, especially for movies, a sub woofer (used to produce the really low end audio frequencies) would also be needed, making it now a 5.1 system (5 regular speakers, and 1 sub woofer)!

Also note, that there is another option to improve the basic, and very poor sound coming from the TV itself, which is to use a Sound Bar, which is connected to the headphone jack of the TV. This is not a surround sound system, and is useful in such situations as a bedroom. Just about any external speaker addition to a TV will greatly improve its sound quality.

For those who are more into the sound aspect of a home theater system, adding to 2 side speakers would make this a 7.1 system. And then adding another sub woofer would then make this a 7.2 system (7 speakers, and 2 sub woofers). One reason for a second sub woofer is often to fill in low end sound for the case when you are playing sound that comes from sources that has no sub woofer output, such as from a CD or vinyl or tuner or tape (any stereo only source). In this case, the sub woofer would be connected in parallel with the main speakers, and would reproduce low frequency notes that exist already in the source material. Normally, a sub woofer is connected to the Sub Out jack of the receiver, and this produces low notes only if the source is programmed for a sub woofer, which rules out all 2 channel stereo inputs. A second reason for adding a second sub woofer is simple to have more low end sound. The bottom line here is that marrying outstanding sound with high definition video of today, makes for a truly wonderful experience! It can be like going to the movie theater!

So, why use el Consulting to help you with your audio/video system? Vincent has been a very active participant in the audio and home theaters arena for over 45 years, and seen the industry go through many phases and much technology, and has transgressed through all of this personally, having gone through most of the then available devices. Vincent currently has two home theaters in his private home, one being a 7.2 surround sound system with a HD 3D projector and large screen, and the other is a 5.1 system with a 61" Samsung HD TV.