Your new flat-panel is sure to be a stunner, but we're willing to bet the sound is awful - tinny, thin, and altogether unworthy of the TV's elegant looks. We introduce five ways to do justice to your picture.

One of the best sound bars of all time: Canton's DM 90, seen here without its front cover.

Sound bars occupy little space and require very few cables. Many models have an integrated amplifier, so the only extra device the user needs is a Blu-ray or DVD player. Those looking for the thunder of deep bass can add a subwoofer to the setup, but remember: Many sound bars even have a built-in subwoofer.

Sound bars are recommended for users that lack the necessary space for a more expansive system. Apart from the bar itself, this method requires no further speakers, and therefore makes cabling easy - there's no need to painstakingly trail cables throughout the living room. The sound bar simply sits under the TV.

Better (and generally more expensive) devices employ digital tricks to conjure up something resembling 3D surround sound, even though the sound is coming from a single source beneath the TV. Find more information on individual models.

A great example of a compact 2.1-system: LG's brand new LG HB 354 BS.

Three-part, 2.1-channel sound systems (two speakers plus a subwoofer) don't take up much space and are perfectly suited for impressive Blu-ray and DVD presentations.

You put a speaker on the left of the TV, a speaker on the right (some also come with a pedestal), tuck the subwoofer away somewhere, and that's it! It looks good, and the cabling remains simple, since there's no need to run wires to rear speakers.

Also practical: The systems almost always include a Blu-ray player or AV receiver that serves as a control center and offers a wide range of connectivity.

2.1 systems are especially suited to smaller living rooms, bedrooms, or offices, where space and assembly requirements must remain within limits.

A 5.1 system with a Blu-ray player: Samsung's HT-BD1255.

Compact surround systems come quite close to the perfect movie-theater experience, without taking up all the space in your living room.

The packaging contains five or seven speakers, which are generally very small. There's also a subwoofer for the deep bass, which can sit subtly in one corner of the room, as well as a control center, which will usually also have a built-in Blu-ray or DVD player.

Some models also offer a radio tuner, an iPod dock, and/or the option to drive the rear speakers wirelessly (5.1 uses two rear speakers, 7.1 uses four).

Compact 5.1 and 7.1 systems are ideal for small to medium-sized rooms, since both the speakers and the control center occupy relatively little space. They're aimed at customers that are prepared to lay a few extra cables in return for enjoying true surround-feeling.

Many such systems are supplied with colored cables to make installation as easy as possible - the whole process should take around an hour.

The extreme home-theater: Just imagine how many millions this must have cost...

This is the best, most expensive, and most complex solution - it's for those that love technology and are prepared to tweak and experiment with a variety of gadgets. Putting together your own home-theater system from individual components requires time, money, and an understanding of the technology. Furthermore, high-quality AV receivers, players, and speakers are generally large and heavy.

These expensive, individually assembled setups typically consist of five to seven larger speakers, as well as an AV receiver, subwoofer, and DVD or Blu-ray player. Such systems are only suitable for larger rooms, where their full power and quality can unfold.

These solutions are attractive not only for home-theater fans, but also for those that love to listen to music at top volume and that have an extensive record and CD collection. Furthermore, modern receivers offer a great deal of connectivity - including, for example, a connection to a PC.

Yet another way to enjoy TV sound - and now even wirelessly: Sony's Bluetooth headphones, the DR-BT 50.

There's a final option that many won't even consider: the humble pair of headphones. Besides conventional headphones, there are now models - from AKG, for example - that can simulate surround sound.

Headphones seal the listener off from the outside world completely, so that they can concentrate fully on the sound. The disadvantage: If the telephone rings or there's a knock at the door, the user remains blissfully unaware and emerged in their movie.

But of course - to come back to the advantages - there's no danger of waking up the neighbors. One manufacturer has even addressed the problem of the listener being physically connected: LG now offers wireless, Bluetooth solutions.