What is the difference between home theater system and a HIFI music system with 5.1 channel?
I found different options by different vendors on home theater system and HIFI music system. Both have almost same price and both capable for playing dvd and giving 5.1 channel output with equal number of speakers. Then why it is categorizing as home theater and home music system. Appearance is the only this i could make out.
For all intents and purposes, probably none.
Some home theater certifications require that speaker exhibit certain dispersion characteristics and amplifiers be able to meet a nominal performance standards. This is usually different level equipment and not applicable to the average home theater in a box and other one box solutions.
Hi-fi stands for high fidelity. A true hi-fi system with have only two speakers! these are usually towers with passive bass woofers. That said most of us can not afford a $200,000 stand alone hi-fi stereo. Most higher end and some medium manufactures understand this and they make receivers and preamp/processors capable of rendering good quality sound for both. Typically ‘hi-fi’ systems are two channel only – with dedicated components , cd player, turntable, 2 speakers, possibly a pre-amp and seperate amplifier or integrated amp. – made for listening to music through.
Home Theatre systems are geared towards watching movies and have complex internal components to decipher 5.1 surround info, multiple internal amplifiers etc..