Some of us just don't have the time, money or space to choose every audio device in a home audio system, which is why home audio systems are such a great alternative to separate components.

Home Audio Systems, sometimes referred as minisystems, consist of several components that were preselected by a manufacturer to meet certain price and space requirements. They offer high value and exceptional ease of use.

The only disadvantage of a home audio system is that, for the most part, you can't really choose your individual components - you have to stick with the speakers and features of the system. But that's the whole reason why you're interested in getting an audio system in the first place. There really are so many to choose from. It's really easy to find the one that meets your needs and expectations.

A typical system consists of speakers along with a center unit with several features built-in:

Adjusts the volume of the sound and distributes it to speakers. A stereo unit will have 2 channels and 2 speakers. A surround sound unit may have 5 or more channels and 5 or more speakers. Many include Dolby Digital surround sound, an accepted high-performance standard for home-theater systems.

How many watts are delivered per channel determines the strength of the amplifier. In separate component sound systems, this factor is very important and is usually 100 watts per channel. In a home audio system, wattage is less significant because the system is created, with perfectly matched parts, to deliver quality sound.

Most systems include a CD Player. They type of CD player can vary from being able to play only a single CD or several. In some cases, you can make CD recordings, using blank, recordable CDs. Connectivity Ports In many cases, these CD players may also play CDs that were recorded on computer CDR and CDRW drives.

In some situations, a DVD player might be included. A DVD player can also play CDs.

Almost every system has a single cassette recorder while, higher prices systems, may offer dual cassette recorders.

A tuner allows you to accurately tune a radio station according to its specific channel frequency for optimal reception. Virtually every audio system has built-in digital AM/FM tuners. These tuners have programmable station memories, where you'll be able to store radio station channels for easy selection whenever you choose to listen.

Plays the audio portion of a DVD videodisc. Usually, when a DVD player is present, it's a single DVD player. There a few models that include DVD changers that can hold 3 or more DVDs. Virtually all DVD players can also play CD recordings.

Included speakers connect to speaker ports. In most cases, you can only connect the speakers that were included with the system.

An auxiliary port is often provided for connecting an external device. You can use this to connect your TV or VCR in order to hear the sound through your audio system.

There is often a connector for adding an optional headphone so you can listen privately, without disturbing anyone else in your room or home.

Virtually every home audio system features a multifunction display. This screen is used to show CD track information, radio station, mode, and more.

Almost every home audio system has a system that allows you to adjust the sound to your taste. In most cases, there are preset modes to choose from. Those modes might include Hall, Stadium, and Jazz Club. These allow you to choose the optimal acoustic setting for listening to recorded music.

You'll find that many home audio systems feature a timer mode.

The most common is a sleep timer. It allows you to set a time limit for the unit to play. You can listen to music as it lulls you to sleep.

Another timer is a daily timer that turns the unit on or off at a prespecified time.

Every home audio system features remote control operation.

Virtually all home audio systems operate using 110-120 Volts AC. There may be some 3-piece portable stereos that could be used as home systems that operate on AC and battery but these are primary classed as portables.

Where affordability, compact size, and ease of use are concerned, nothing beats the value and performance of a home audio system as part of your home entertainment. Though you may not have the ability to change or upgrade parts of the system, these fully integrated systems remain extremely popular and reliable.