Surround sound systems: Everything you should know before buying one

While it is easy to buy a state-of-the-art television, choosing a good sound system can be an uphill task. However, the lack of an excellent surround sound system will make your home theatre experience incomplete. When it comes to choosing a good surround sound system, there is a lot to consider including the difference in terminologies to a wide range of choices.

Home theatre speakers: Terminologies you need to know

Before buying a surround sound system, it is important to understand the various terminologies you will encounter. These terminologies will define the different types of systems available and the most common ones you need to know are listed below:

1. 5.1: It means five speakers and a subwoofer denoted by the .1. The speakers include three front speakers (left, centre, and right) and two surround speakers.

2. 7.1: In comparison to the 5.1 surround sound system, this adds two additional speakers at the rear.

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3. Subwoofer: A subwoofer is a separate speaker designed specifically to produce low-pitched audio frequencies commonly referred to as the bass.

4. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X: These are formats supported by speakers that use object-based audio and height channels for a three-dimensional surround sound experience.

5. Virtual surround: This refers to an immersive experience with fewer speakers and is a cheaper way to simulate a 3D audio experience.

Surround systems for your home: Other things you need to know

When it comes to getting a surround sound system for your home, you will have to choose between either a home theatre in a box (HTIB), soundbars, or separate components. An HTIB is relatively affordable and convenient as compared to choosing separate components since it offers an all-in-one package, but it may not be the most effective in terms of quality. 

A soundbar, on the other hand, is a compact and straightforward way to bring surround sound effects to your home. It is the most convenient way to improve your TV’s audio quality and is ideal for smaller rooms or simpler setups. However, for the best surround sound system, you must choose an AV receiver and a speakers package. This will not only improve the audio experience but also allow for flexibility, but they will cost a lot more money.

ALSO READ: 5 best soundbars with Dolby Atmos in India in 2024

Once you have chosen the type of surround sound system, the next task will be to choose the channel configuration. You can choose between a 5.1 or 7.1 channel or add an extra subwoofer for enhanced bass to create a 5.2 or 7.2 channel setup. For Dolby Atmos technology with height or overhead speakers for a 3D surround sound experience, you can opt for 5.1.2, 5.1.4, 7.1.2, 7.1.4 channels and so on, where the last digit signifies the number of height channels in the setup.

Armed with this knowledge, go ahead and explore different surround sound systems to get a theatre-like audio-visual experience right in the comfort of your homes.