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Not so long ago many homeowners were racing to outfit their homes with home theater spaces. If spaces allowed, homeowners would transform rooms into dark, theater-like retreats, complete with large screens, surround sound and reclined seating. Interest in such spaces has waned in recent years, with many homeowners opting for media rooms instead.

Homeowners who like to entertain while watching or listening to media may prefer the flexibility of media rooms, which make it easy to stream movies and music and play games.

So what is the difference between these spaces?

According to HGTV, a home theater is a room designed to replicate the experience of the cinema. A media room is a multipurpose space where people can gather to enjoy any type of media, from TV to music to gaming systems. Home theaters tend to limit activity to watching movies. However, homeowners interested in more versatile paces may find media rooms are much more practical.

A media room is an option for families who want a theater experience in common areas or open-concept living spaces, says Digitech Custom Audio and Video System Integration Specialists. Media rooms frequently feature comfortable, customizable seating, rather than rows of seats facing the screen that are standard in home theaters. Guests can converse in media rooms while enjoying a show, streaming music or gaming.

Various design layouts are possible, including furniture that conceals electronics so the media room can be an entertainment lounge one minute and a theater the next.

Because media rooms are not as isolated as home theaters, the acoustics in such rooms may be compromised. That’s a disadvantage for homeowners who have invested heavily in sound systems for their media devices. Sound from media rooms also may filter out and disturb others in different rooms of the house. However, fluffy sofas, drapery and carpeting can absorb sound and keep it in the room.

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