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The surround sound systems could elevate your experience of watching television like never before, and these audio devices could add to your everyday recreation in your home.
You go to movie halls for an exciting and memorable experience. You sit on comfy seats, get your face stuffed with cheese nachos and popcorn, and leave the cinema hall singing laurels about the sound effects.
You could say watching a movie without premium-quality audio is a total waste of time and could kill all the excitement and eagerness to watch your favorite movie.
Assume you have plans to watch your favorite musical, Bohemian Rhapsody, but these plans could all be for naught if you do not have a good quality surround sound system for your home theater.
Thus, choosing the best surround sound system could be a game changer. The proper installation and set-up could make your home the preferred choice for friends and family to watch movies.
By the end of this article, you will learn how to set up a surround system, along with additional surround sound equipment and other exhilarating details.
What Is A Surround Sound?
Surround sound is a simple strategy to improve the accuracy and clarity of recreating sound through different audio channels connected to speakers across the room.
The use of multiple speakers and audio channels may allow you to enjoy high-quality digital audio that surrounds the room, similar to a movie theater’s audio setup.
Surround sound is a fascinating technique to enhance the standard of audio, using different additional speakers that deliver premium quality sound from all angles.
To enable the surround sound experience, one could use different types of speakers with different specifications.
Types Of Surround Sound Speakers
Usually, there are three main categories of surround sound speakers. These may include-
5.1 channel surround: The number shows the numbers needed to set 5.1 channel surround sound. A 5.1 surround sound could require five speakers and a single sub-woofer.
7.1 channel surround sound: 7.1 channel surround sound could include seven speakers, of which three are installed in the front, two on the right and left, and two are set up at the back.
9.1 channel surround: It could deliver complete independent channels that provide crystal clear audio without losing quality. It may be installed in a large room.
How Does A Surround Sound Setup Look Like?
The surround sound system setup could appear as an arrangement of several speakers across the room, giving out squeaky-clean audio effects.
These speakers could be attached to receivers if they are the traditional types or have wireless connectivity.
The setup has a woofer that gives out the required base for any audio or music, without which the music or audio could sound bland and unattractive.
The bass is the in-depth effect that enhances and keeps the listener super involved, expecting more action and effects in the movie or while playing a video game.
The setup might generally include 5.1 channels, 7.1 channels, or 9.1 channels. It could depend on space availability or your requirements like preference and liking.
A surround sound setup could have the availability of speakers that may have audio receivers, which help in the proper projecting of audio.
Surround sound setups could include various sets of wires that may be needed to connect the speakers to the receiver.
Thus, the receiver has speakers connected to it either through AV, blinding posts, or banana clips. To avoid making the room look cluttered, try to conceal the wires beneath the carpets.
The surround sound setup also encompasses subwoofers that may add depth to audio listening. These woofers and subwoofers could be linked using standard AV cables.
How To Set Up Surround Sound
Setting up a surround sound system requires a good audio/video receiver, or AV, that could help hook up several speakers and gain control over the audio.
This AV procedure is essential because it includes cleaning and dividing, followed by amplifying the audio to ensure that your speakers work properly.
The best thing about using an AV is that you can include as many speakers and woofers as you want, provided that your AV has sufficient slots.
The following types of components are required to set up a surround sound system-
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Central Channel Speaker
A central channel speaker offers a clear dialogue listening experience that could provide you with crisp dialogue to understand what has been said.
Thus, in a surround sound system, the central channel speaker is in charge of the intense action, effect, and dialogue.
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Left And Right Speakers
To make you experience breathtaking music and audio effects that audiophiles could adore, the left and right sides of the speaker could be included in setting up a surround sound system.
In some instances, if the movie contains audio from the left side, then only the left-side speaker will be activated. As a result, you can make out the importance of the left and right-side speakers.
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Satellite Speaker
A satellite speaker could be significant for setting up a surround sound system in small to medium-sized spaces with around 5.1 channels.
Other than that, while setting up an ideal surround system, these satellite speakers could also be used in larger areas. You need to set them up at the side or in the back as additional speakers that could enhance audio listening.
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Sub-Woofer
A subwoofer can add oomph to your audio listening experience. Therefore, they are often considered when setting up a surround sound system.
They could deliver low-pitched audio frequencies, called “bass,” usually missed by audio sources as they have a low musical pitch.
The best part about the subwoofers is that they allow you to feel the music and give you that extra bass, especially if you love hip-hop or EDM.
At the same time, intense movie scenes could feel different when your sound system has a subwoofer attached.
Tips To Setup Surround Sound At Home
Once you know how to set up your surround sound system, you can follow these tips, so your system does not lack any last-minute customizations.
These small little tweaks could bring a lot of change to the overall experience.
- Do not keep subwoofers out of play, as they are required to provide that bass effect and could be considered one of the essential parts of your surround sound system.
- Install a center speaker above your TV set or audio set at a horizontal position which could be done by arranging a wall mount for the same purpose.
- Look for a surround sound system that would feed your purpose and requirement. For example, if you have a smaller space for its installation, you could look for more compact surround sound systems.
- In case you have a bigger and more expansive for setting up your surround sound system, you try leveling up by installing a 7.1 or 9.1 channel surround sound, as bigger rooms could require more extensive surround sound systems.
- Calibration is of utmost importance; the absence of calibration could ruin your overall audio-listening experience. In addition, the speaker systems should have optimum output levels that improve the sound quality and add to your entertainment.
Is Surround System Worth It?
Simply put, a decent sound system is worthwhile, provided you have maximized its potential by correctly placing it in your home and calibrating the speakers.
It can be an exciting experience to hear sounds coming from several directions while watching a movie, making a surround sound system for your house a worthwhile decision.
Surround sound systems should be the first choice for an audiophile or someone who values clear audio. You would understand that this is where all the action would occur when you desire an immersive experience similar to the one you would have in a movie theater with those shades and no lighting.
With all those gunfire and airplane sound effects, a surround sound system would make you feel like you’re in the movie, along with the main character.
Therefore, installing a high-quality surround sound system could dramatically change how you play video games or watch movies.
Conclusion
You could elevate your video game and movie viewing experiences by setting up surround sound. You will be immersed in a high-quality audio experience.
A surround sound is much more precise and crisp and does not fall heavy on the ears when listening. The music or the audio comes from across the room, enriching your audio-listening experience.
A little research and knowing about surround sound could go a long way which could also come in handy when you decide on setting up the surround sound at your home.
Frequently Asked Questions/FAQs
Essential surround sound system components may include AV or audio/visual receivers, left and right speakers, subwoofers, connecting wires, and center channel speakers. In addition, it comes with a source, necessary amplifiers, and speakers.
Surround sound could be easily connected to the TV when the audio system is compatible. The TV might need an HDMI output port or Bluetooth to connect to the surround sound system properly.
Connecting surround sound speakers to the Tv without a receiver could be done using various ways like using two-channel amplifiers, Bluetooth, or a hub. These include wired and wireless methods of connecting your device without the receiver to the surround sound system.
You can connect your audio/video device to your TV using a video cable, RCA audio cable, an RCA video cable compatible with your audio/video device, or an HDMI converter to achieve surround sound if HDMI connections aren’t readily accessible.
Considering the speakers’ capacity, a surround sound system for a larger area could be best with 150 watts or more. On the other hand, fifty watts per channel might be adequate for a small room or space.
Selecting the right surround speaker for your location while considering the area and available space can increase surround sound. The center speaker, the most crucial in a surround sound system, must be placed correctly while avoiding square rooms, which could reduce the acoustic quality.