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How Should Home Surround Sound Be Set Up: Tips for A Better Surround Sound System

having a surround sound system installed in your room will elevate any film you watch

Whether you have a man cave, a home theater, or just a television in your living room, having a surround sound system installed in your room will elevate any film you watch. Your TV’s speakers can’t deal with loud explosions or quiet footsteps like a speaker system can. If you’ve been planning to have a surround sound system, you might need to know whether to get a 5.1 surround sound system or a 7.1 surround sound system. But how should home surround sound be set up? Here’s everything you need to know about surround sound and how to set up your surround sound system properly.

What is Surround Sound?

How Should Home Surround Sound Be Set Up

Surround sound is a term for audio systems that have multiple speakers placed around a listener to achieve a more immersive audio effect. With a surround sound system, you can hear sounds coming from multiple directions, which should also improve the audio clarity.

You can tell how many speakers a surround sound system has by looking at the number in its name. The first number tells you how many speakers are in the system, while the second number tells you how many subwoofers the system has. For example, a 5.1 system comes with five speakers and one subwoofer.

If you see a sound system with two at the end, like a 7.2 system, it comes with two subwoofers. Adding a second subwoofer helps out the bass, which might be too loud on one side with only a single subwoofer. If you get a sound system with two subwoofers, they should be placed on opposite sides of your screen.

If you see three numbers in your surround sound system, the last number will show you how many “upward-firing” or “downward-firing” speakers it has. For example, a 5.1.4 surround sound system has five speakers, one subwoofer, and four upward—or downward-firing speakers.

These upward—or downward-firing speakers can support audio formats like Dolby Atmos, which produces 3D sound from all directions, including above you.

Every speaker serves a distinct function in a surround sound system and should be positioned precisely to ensure optimal audio quality. Let’s explore the various types of surround sound configurations, the role of each speaker, and the setup process for each one.

What Is 2.1 Surround Sound?

A 2.1-channel surround sound system has two front speakers that give stereo sound and a subwoofer that adds deep bass. The front, left, and right speakers should be placed at a 22-30-degree angle, and the subwoofer should be on the floor to the right or left of your screen.

Ideally, the two front stereo channels should be at ear level and about two to three feet from the wall. Don’t put the subwoofer in the corner, as this can lead to an echo.

While this is the most basic setup, a 2.1 surround sound setup will deliver much better sound than your TV’s built-in speakers.

What Is 3.1 Surround Sound?

A 3.1-channel surround sound system has two front speakers, a subwoofer, and a center speaker. You should place the center channel speaker just below the middle of your screen. This center channel adds more depth and clarity to the audio, especially the dialogue.

All the dialogue and sound effects will come from the same channels without a central channel. For example, if you’re watching a movie with characters walking down a busy street, all street noises will come from the same speakers as the dialogue, making it harder to hear what they’re saying.

With a 3.1-channel surround sound system, all the sound effects come from the stereo speakers, while the dialogue is played from the center channel. This makes it easier to actually hear what the characters are saying.

This is the perfect setup for those who want to elevate their home theater on a budget but need more room for a full surround sound system.

What Is 5.1 Surround Sound?

A 5.1-channel surround sound system has two front speakers, a center channel, a subwoofer, and two surround speakers. Having a 5.1 setup, the surround speakers should be placed behind the listener at a 110-120-degree angle.

A 5.1-channel setup gives you a “true” surround sound experience because it surrounds you in sound from all directions. It is also the most common setup, and most DVDs, broadcast TV, and media streaming sources will use 5.1 surround sound.

Adding two extra surround speakers makes your home theater feel more exciting. If there’s no space behind you for the speakers, you can put them on the sides, facing straight out.

What Is 7.1 Surround Sound?

A 7.1 surround sound setup has two front speakers, a subwoofer, a center channel, two surround speakers, and two rear speakers. With this setup, the rear speakers should be placed behind the listener at a 135-150-degree angle.

Unlike a 5.1 speaker setup, a 7.1 surround sound system provides audio from behind. Since the rear speakers now handle all of the audio from behind, you can move your surround speakers to either side of your seating area at a 90-110-degree angle.

With so many speakers surrounding you, this setup is usually reserved for more complex home theaters.

What Is 9.1 Surround Sound?

A 9.1 surround sound setup has two front speakers, a subwoofer, a center channel, two surround speakers, two rear speakers, and two wide speakers. The two wide speakers should be placed in front of the listener at a 50-70-degree angle.

With a 9.1 setup, the wide speakers bridge the gap between the surround and front speakers. That means sound will come at you from almost every angle.

Since this is such a complicated setup, it is generally reserved for larger home theater rooms. However, finding an inexpensive AV receiver with a 9.1 setup might be difficult.

How Should Home Surround Sound Be Set Up?

You will need an AV (audio/video) receiver to set up a surround sound system

You will need an AV (audio/video) receiver to set up a surround sound system. This device allows you to hook up and control multiple speakers. It then processes, separates, and amplifies your audio to drive your speakers.

An AV Receiver also lets you switch between different audio and video sources, so you can easily switch between your CD player, Xbox, or TV audio with the push of a button.

Depending on what kind of AV receiver you have, all you need to do to set up your system is to run wires from your speakers to the AV receiver. You should see each speaker’s name next to a connection on the back of your AV receiver.

Start With A Soundbar

The benefits of a soundbar are plentiful. For starters, it performs the work of a right, left, and center speaker—saving you space and potentially money. It creates that immersive surround sound experience without the need for three individual speakers (with their accompanying wiring) in front of your TV. And soundbars won’t cramp your style. The understated design blends in with existing decor, and its thin construction means it will fit nicely under a TV or can be easily mounted on a wall.

Of course, not all soundbars produce the same experience. If you’re planning to tuck your speaker into a media stand, you’ll want to choose a soundbar with forward-facing acoustics so that furniture won’t block the soundwaves. But if you want to create that truly immersive theater experience, go with a Dolby-Atmos-supported soundbar. These speakers are designed with upward-firing drivers to project sound around the room.

Add Rear Speakers

A soundbar can dramatically improve the clarity and quality of your audio, whether you’re streaming a movie or listening to music. But if you want sound from all directions, consider adding a few rear speakers. Rear speakers magnify all those ambient sounds that bring you into the movie — rustling wind, a leaking faucet, or coffee-shop chatter. If you’re a fan of scary movies, you know the importance of those details for creating suspense.

To get the best sound from your rear speakers, you’ll need to position them on either side of your seating or behind you. Ensure that the side and upward-firing drivers are clear of anything blocking them. (Depending on the speaker, mount them higher and position them toward wherever you sit.) You can easily connect WiFi-enabled speakers to your soundbar without hardwiring.

Setting up a home surround sound system is simple

Pair A Subwoofer

Subwoofers are great additions to your surround sound setup because they help you feel the audio. Plus, a subwoofer enhances the sound of your other speakers by shouldering some of the work. Subwoofers produce some of the lower sound frequencies, so your other speakers can focus on delivering midrange sounds. Pretty neat. When choosing a subwoofer, be aware that it ranges from small to large and has varying power levels. What size works best for you will be based on the rest of your setup, the size of your room, and your budget.

If you don’t want to see lots of unsightly speaker wires running through your home theater, you can either conceal them in the walls or buy a wireless setup. However, even wireless speakers must be powered, so you will still have some wires.

Is Surround Sound Worth It?

Setting up a surround sound system takes more effort than just using your TV speakers

You’re right. Setting up a surround sound system takes more effort than just using your TV speakers. If you enjoy movies or shows as a way to escape reality and immerse yourself in something different, investing time and money in good audio is worthwhile. If you’re currently building a new home theater or just looking to get more out of your surround sound setup, we’ve got you covered. Custom Integrators is Central Texas’ premier home technology, control, network, security, and entertainment provider. Please reach out to us today!