What is Surround Sound?

Surround sound is an audio system that creates an immersive, multi-dimensional sound experience. Unlike basic stereo which has a left and right channel, surround sound systems have multiple audio channels positioned around the listener to create the illusion of sound coming from various directions, just like in real life. This greatly enhances the realism and depth of the audio, making movies, TV shows, video games, and music much more engaging and lifelike.

The most common surround sound setup is 5.1, which consists of five full-range speakers (front left, front right, center, surround left, surround right) and one low-frequency effects (LFE) subwoofer. More advanced setups like 7.1 add additional rear surround speakers. The newest surround formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X add overhead height channels for an even more immersive, three-dimensional sound field.

Benefits of Surround Sound

There are many advantages to having a surround sound system, including:

• Enhanced realism and immersion: Multiple audio channels placed around the room create a lifelike soundscape that draws you into the action. Sounds pan seamlessly across the front soundstage and side/rear effects place you in the middle of the scene.

• Improved clarity and detail: With multiple speakers sharing the work, each one can be optimized for a specific frequency range. Vocals are crystal clear through the center channel, while ambient sounds and music envelop you from the other speakers. The subwoofer delivers deep, impactful bass.

• Better separation of elements: Surround mixes allow audio engineers to precisely position dialogue, effects, and music in the soundfield for optimal clarity and directional realism. A jet can scream overhead from front to back, while an explosion rumbles the room.

• Heightened emotional impact: From subtle ambient noises to thunderous action scenes, surround sound greatly enhances the emotional impact and excitement of any content. Every distant rumble, whisper, and music swell is reproduced with stunning detail and depth.

• Versatile for all content: While movies get the most benefit, surround sound also enhances TV shows, sports, video games, and music. Many shows are now mixed in surround and live sports broadcasts use the rear channels for ambience. Newer video games and many music albums also offer surround mixes.

Planning a Surround Sound System

Before diving into purchasing equipment, it’s important to plan out your surround sound system based on your room, budget, and preferences. Some key factors to consider include:

Room Size and Layout

The size and shape of your room will determine what kind of surround system is most appropriate and where speakers should be placed for optimal performance. Measure the dimensions of the space and note any open areas, doorways, windows, and furniture that could impact speaker placement.

As a general rule, larger rooms will benefit from more powerful speakers and a more spacious speaker placement. The surround speakers can be spread further apart and the listening position can be further back from the front soundstage. In a smaller room, speakers will need to be more compact and closer together to avoid overwhelming the space.

Speaker Type and Placement

There are several different types of speakers used in surround sound setups:

• Floorstanding speakers are the largest option, offering the most power and bass response. They are typically used for the front left/right channels but can also work for the rear surrounds in large rooms. However, they take up significant floor space and can be visually obtrusive.

• Bookshelf speakers are a more compact alternative that can be placed on stands or furniture. They work well for front left/right and surround channels in small to medium-sized rooms. Some models can also be wall-mounted for a cleaner look.

• Center channel speakers are horizontally-oriented designs that are placed above or below the TV. They are acoustically matched to the front left/right speakers and primarily handle dialogue and center-panned sounds. The center speaker is crucial for clear speech and a seamless front soundstage.

• Surround speakers are usually compact designs that are wall-mounted or placed on stands to the sides and rear of the listening position. Direct-radiating models are aimed at the listener for precise localization of effects. Bipole/dipole models diffuse sound for a more ambient surround field.

• Subwoofers reproduce the low-frequency effects (LFE) channel and bass from the other channels. They add weight, depth, and impact to action scenes and music. Subwoofer placement is less critical but it should be placed along the front wall, ideally in a corner, for the most output.

• Dolby Atmos/DTS:X height speakers add an overhead dimension to the surround experience. These can be in-ceiling models, speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling, or compact add-on modules placed on top of floorstanding or bookshelf speakers.

Here are some general guidelines for speaker placement:

Receiver and Amplification

The AV receiver is the heart of a surround sound system, providing the processing and amplification for all the speakers. When choosing a receiver, consider the following:

• Channels: Make sure the receiver has enough amplifier channels for your speaker setup (5.1, 7.1, etc.). Note that Dolby Atmos/DTS:X setups will need additional channels for the height speakers.

• Power output: Check the receiver’s power output specs to ensure it can adequately drive your speakers. More demanding speakers will require more wattage.

• Surround format support: Look for a receiver that supports the latest surround formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and their up-mixing algorithms for legacy content. HDMI 2.1 and 8K video passthrough are important for future-proofing.

• Room correction: Automated room correction systems like Audyssey, YPAO, and Dirac Live use a microphone to analyze the room acoustics and optimize the sound. This is very helpful for getting the best performance in imperfect rooms.

• Wireless connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay 2 allow easy streaming from mobile devices and integration with multi-room audio systems. Support for wireless surround speakers is also convenient.

Budget and Future-Proofing

Surround sound systems can range from a few hundred to many thousands of dollars, so it’s important to set a realistic budget based on your needs and expectations. Some general budget ranges are:

It’s also worth considering future-proofing when planning your system. While it may be tempting to save money upfront, investing in higher-quality components that support the latest technologies will give you a longer lifespan and better upgrade path. Skimping on the receiver or speakers may limit your options down the road.

Setting Up a Surround Sound System

Once you’ve planned out your system and purchased the components, it’s time to set everything up. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Unpack and Place the Speakers

Carefully unpack all the speakers and subwoofer, making sure you have all the necessary cables and accessories. Refer to your room layout plan and placement guidelines to position each speaker in the appropriate location. Use speaker stands, wall mounts, or furniture to get the speakers at the correct height and angle.

2. Connect the Speakers to the Receiver

Using speaker wire, connect each speaker to its corresponding output on the receiver. Make sure to maintain proper polarity (positive to positive, negative to negative) and a tight, secure connection. For long wire runs, use thicker gauge wire to minimize resistance.

If you have a powered subwoofer, connect it to the receiver’s subwoofer output using an RCA cable. If you have passive height speakers, connect them to the receiver’s height channel outputs.

3. Connect Source Devices to the Receiver

Use HDMI cables to connect your TV, streaming devices, game consoles, and other sources to the receiver’s HDMI inputs. Make sure to use the ARC (Audio Return Channel) input for the TV to get sound from the TV’s built-in apps. If you have any analog sources like a turntable, use the appropriate analog audio inputs.

4. Calibrate the System with Room Correction

Most modern receivers come with an automated room correction system that uses a microphone to measure the room acoustics and optimize the sound. Follow the on-screen instructions to place the microphone at the main listening position and run the calibration process. The receiver will play test tones through each speaker and adjust the levels, distances, and EQ to compensate for the room.

After the automated calibration, you can fine-tune the settings to your preferences. Adjust the channel levels and distances if needed, and experiment with the EQ and surround processing modes to find what sounds best to you.

5. Configure Source Devices and Test

Finally, configure your source devices to output surround sound and test the system with various content. Make sure each device is set to bitstream or PCM output and that the correct surround format is being detected by the receiver.

Play some movie scenes, music, and games that you’re familiar with and listen for proper surround imaging, clarity, and impact. Make sure each speaker is working correctly and that the overall sound is balanced and engaging. If anything sounds off, double-check your connections and settings.

Tips for Getting the Best Surround Sound Performance

To get the most out of your surround sound system, consider the following tips:

• Optimize your room acoustics. Minimize hard, reflective surfaces and add soft, absorbent materials like carpets, curtains, and acoustic panels to tame echoes and reflections. Diffusers can also help scatter sound for a more spacious, natural ambience.

• Experiment with speaker placement. While the general placement guidelines are a good starting point, every room is different. Try toeing in the front speakers, adjusting the height and angle of the surrounds, and moving the subwoofer to find the best sound for your space.

• Use high-quality source material. To really showcase your system’s capabilities, use high-resolution audio formats like Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio, and Dolby Atmos. Blu-ray discs, 4K streaming, and lossless music files will offer the best sound quality.

• Calibrate regularly. Room correction is not a one-time process. Rerun the calibration whenever you make changes to your room or system, and check your settings periodically to make sure everything is still optimized.

• Invest in power conditioning. Surges, spikes, and noise in your electrical system can degrade audio quality and damage your equipment over time. A good power conditioner will filter out these issues and provide clean, stable power to your gear.

• Don’t neglect the subwoofer. The subwoofer is a crucial component of any surround system, providing the foundation and impact of the sound. Spend time dialing in the crossover and level settings to integrate it seamlessly with the other speakers.

• Upgrade your components over time. As your budget allows, consider upgrading your weakest link first for the biggest improvement in sound quality. This could mean swapping out your entry-level receiver for a more powerful model, or upgrading your surrounds to match your front speakers.

FAQ

1. How many speakers do I need for surround sound?

The most common surround sound setup is 5.1, which uses five speakers (front left, right, center, surround left, right) and a subwoofer. However, you can also go with a 7.1 system which adds two rear surround speakers, or a Dolby Atmos setup which adds overhead height speakers (5.1.2, 7.1.4, etc.).

2. Can I use my existing stereo speakers for surround sound?

While you can technically use stereo speakers in a surround setup, it’s not ideal. Surround speakers are typically designed with different dispersion characteristics and frequency response to better integrate with the front speakers and subwoofer. Using matched speakers from the same brand and series will give you the most cohesive, balanced sound.

3. What’s the difference between Dolby and DTS surround formats?

Dolby and DTS are the two main companies that create surround sound formats. Dolby Digital and DTS are the basic 5.1 formats, while Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio are lossless formats with higher resolution. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X are the latest “object-based” formats that add height channels for a more immersive experience.

4. Do I need a special receiver for Dolby Atmos?

Yes, to take advantage of Dolby Atmos you’ll need a receiver that has Atmos decoding and additional amplifier channels for the height speakers. Make sure the receiver specifically lists Atmos support and has enough channels for your desired speaker configuration (5.1.2, 7.1.4, etc.).

5. How do I know if my content is playing in surround sound?

Most receivers have a display that shows the incoming audio format and which speakers are active. Look for indicators like “Dolby Digital,” “DTS,” “Atmos,” etc. and make sure all your speakers are lighting up on the display. You can also check the audio settings on your source device (Blu-ray player, streaming app, etc.) to ensure it’s outputting surround sound.

Conclusion

A well-planned and properly set up surround sound system can greatly enhance your movie watching, gaming, and music listening experiences. By following this guide and investing in quality components, you can create an immersive audio environment that brings your favorite content to life.

Remember to take your time planning your system, choose components that fit your room and budget, and don’t be afraid to experiment with placement and settings to dial in the perfect sound. With a little effort and attention to detail, you can enjoy the ultimate surround sound experience in the comfort of your own home.