What to Look for when Purchasing a Home Theater System

If you're considering upgrading your home stereo to a surround sound / home theater system, it's important to shop around. And perhaps "upgrading" isn't the right word; though there are a great number of "theater-in-a-box" packages offered these days, many are catered toward the casual home listener and don't provide the fidelity or sound quality that serious audiophiles demand. Let's assume you're not shopping for the highest-end equipment. There's still plenty to choose from, and knowing what to look for will help you be sure you haven't committed a two-, three-, or four-hundred dollar mistake.