It’s always fun to go out and watch sports with friends. Whether you’re at a pub, bar, or watching on a big screen in a public square – the atmosphere is second only to actually attending at the stadium, and sometimes even better. If you’re a fan of the freewheeling atmosphere, and less crowded vibes, there’s another step up – a home theater setup for watching sports with friends. Keep reading for tips on how to set up one of your own.
Hot tip: Like playing just as much as watching? Check out our article on headphones for working out.
How to Watch Online
Obviously, streaming can never replicate the atmosphere and experience of watching the game in a stadium. But just because you can’t make it to the game doesn’t mean that you can’t get your friends together to root on the team and share the experience. Thankfully, you have lots of options for how to watch at home. And you don’t necessarily have to have some paid subscription with a private service to watch because many games – especially if they’re featuring your national team – will be shown for free from various providers. That means, you only need a device with live streaming capability and a location to set up your system.
The foundations of a good home cinema set are a big TV or projector set, plus speakers. We suggest at least a 2.1 set, consisting of a left/right stereo set, and a subwoofer for watching sports. It’s pretty rare for a sports broadcast to use full surround sound, though if you also want to use your setup for watching films or series, especially action – definitely consider a set of rears as well.
One thing you’ll want to pay attention to when buying speakers is whether they’re active or passive. If active, you’re good to go. Just plug into your TV or projector and you’re set for streaming. If passive, which are often a more premium segment of the market, you’ll also need a receiver. Check out our article on setting up a receiver here.
Now, that you’ve got that out of the way, invite your friends over and get ready for a party. One way to keep it more fun for everyone is to have everyone bring a snack. That way, there’s always more than enough tasty food for everyone to enjoy the game. But make sure you coordinate ahead of time, or you risk having six identical hummus dips!
Home cinema & accessories from Teufel
Dealing with Time Delay in Streaming
A common issue with streaming sports is time delay of the online broadcasts. If you’re watching something big in your immediate area, this can lead to funny situations where you hear neighbors celebrating a goal while you’re watching a forward drive down the field. Just keep your windows closed or turn up the volume on your system and hopefully, you’ll drown out unwanted information. But if you’re watching with friends remotely, the same thing can happen. You can use synchronization software to tackle the issue in that case, such as Watch2Gether or SyncPlay. They are also often equipped with a practical chat feature so everyone can comment in real time.
Perfectly in Tune: Teufel Sound Systems for Streaming at Home
Another option for saving space and a bit of budget is to check out our soundbar all-stars for powerful sound. Even if the game doesn’t go your way, great audio will keep you all feel like winners.
Opens in new tab▶ CINEBAR DUETTOpens in new tab: This versatile game changer combines elegance and finesse. Most opponents will tremble at the knees when they see how confidently this thing performs. With great assistance from a subwoofer, this thing has bass that can decide the game.
▶ ULTIMA 40 Surround + DENON X2800H DAB “5.1-Set”: Now this is a squad of power players. If you’re the type who wants the full experience, but doesn’t want to mess around researching speaker combinations and hunting for the right receiver, look no further. You’ll be ready to go with full surround and big, powerful bass before kick-off.
▶ CONSONO 25 CONCEPT Surround 5.1 set: This set will perform excellently for less demanding TV, sports, and even gaming. If you’re on more of a budget but still want to ball out, this is the set for you. These little speakers are easy to place in surround setup, and come with a receiver built right into the subwoofer.
