A Quick Guide to Surround Sound Systems

Whether for a living room, media room, or dedicated home theater, there’s no denying that a quality surround sound system can make a huge difference in your movie-watching experience. The trick is finding the right system for your Jacksonville, Florida area home.

Below, we run through the basics of what surround sound is and what the different setups can look like.

 

SEE ALSO: Dolby Atmos: Why Is It The Best Surround Sound System Setup?

 

First Things First: What Constitutes “Surround Sound”?

When we talk about surround sound, we’re referring to a set of speakers, both of which send out sound via different audio channels. By separating the audio channels across speakers, you get a far richer listening experience.

Think of it like cooking a flavorful meal. You could pour in some generic “multi-flavor seasoning” into the sauce, but if you really wanted to make it taste amazing, you could carefully select how much of paprika, salt, garlic powder, etc. are added. The flavors would all come together in the end, but the extra finesse in measuring and adding each spice individually takes the dish to the next level.

Now that we understand the “what” and “why” of surround sound, let’s get into what components you’ll need.

 

Equipment Types and Numbers

At its core, surround sound systems are made up of speakers and subwoofers (the subwoofer handles the lower frequency sounds). The number of speakers will dictate what type of surround sound system you have. Here are some of the most common:

• 2.0: This system is the most basic, made up of two speakers without a subwoofer.

• 5.1: This system consists of five speakers and one subwoofer. The speakers are usually located to the left and right of the screen, the left and right of your seats, and right in the center next to the screen.

• 7.1: This system builds on the 5.1 setup, adding in speakers behind the seats.

• 9.1: This system builds on 7.1, adding two more speakers that are usually placed higher up, giving a sense of altitude to the sound.

It’s worth noting that you don’t have to stick with one subwoofer for the entire system. A setup with seven speakers and two subwoofers, for example, would be 7.2 instead of 7.1. The additional subwoofers would make the sound crisper and add some weight to the bass response.

It’s also good to know that your speakers don’t necessarily have to be clunky and in the way. Especially for dedicated theaters, the speakers can be hidden in the walls and ceilings so that they don’t detract from your home theater’s design.

At the end of the day, there’s a lot to consider when it comes to choosing a surround sound system for a media room or home theater. Fortunately, you don’t have to weigh all the different options on your own. We encourage you to call and speak with one of our audio/video experts at 1-904-ALPHA95 (257 4295) or click on the live chat window at the bottom of the screen. We’d be happy to talk with you further about the different products and setups that would make sense for your home.