There are many different types of home theater systems out there, but two big categories are surround sound (5.1) and Dolby Atmos (5.2).
Surround sound provides a more immersive experience by sending sounds to speakers set up all around you in the room while Dolby Atmos has speakers placed above your head that create an even more realistic 3D environment by bouncing sounds off your ceiling as if they were coming from different points in space.
Both have their benefits depending on what you’re looking for, but one thing is for sure: whichever type of system you use will make movie night way better!
What is 5.1 surround sound?
The 5.1 channels system The naming system can feel intimidating to newcomers to the home theatre industry. However, this jargon is incredibly easy to comprehend.
The “5” indicates how many speakers are in your home theater layout. The second digit, “. 1” indicates the number of subwoofers in this layout.
A 5.1 surround sound setup consists of five full-range speakers and one subwoofer. The five full-range speakers are typically placed in a triangular formation around the viewing area with the subwoofer placed in the middle of this triangle.
There are 4 surround sound speakers, a center channel speaker, then the subwoofer.
This layout provides an immersive surround experience that places you in the center of the action. You will feel as if the sound is coming at you from all directions.
What is 5.2 surround sound?
As I’m sure you already guessed, 5.2 surround sound is composed of 5 speakers and 2 subwoofers. This type of surround sound is designed to create an even more immersive and realistic 3D audio experience.
The “5” speakers setup is the exact same as the 5.1 setup above as it also includes the 4 surround sound speakers and the center channel speaker. The only difference is the added subwoofer.
Bose is a great example of 5.2 surround sound with their 700 Series home theatre system.
The additional subwoofers give you more control over the bass frequencies and create a richer experience when watching movies or listening to music.
Why are two subwoofers better than one?
With one subwoofer setups, it often encourages sound issues for some users. Low-frequency sources have trouble traveling because they are directional.
When there is only one subwoofer in the room, these long bass waves will overlap and create cancellation at some points.
Adding another subwoofer may help to minimize this problem. Each subwoofer will receive a portion of the low-frequency source, and this will help to create a more cohesive sound.
You’ll also want to use two subwoofers if you have a large room. A single subwoofer may not be able to fill the entire space with bass. Having two subwoofers will help to evenly distribute the low-frequency sounds throughout the room.
Things to consider with two subs
If you’re using two subwoofers, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, make sure that the subs are placed in opposite corners of the room. This will help to create a more even sound distribution.
If you place them too close together, the bass waves will overlap and create unwanted sound effects.
Second, make sure that the subs are at the same volume level. This is important to maintain the balance of the sound. You don’t want one subwoofer to be significantly louder than the other.
Third, set the same crossover frequency for both subs. This will ensure that each subwoofer is playing the same frequencies and will help to create a more cohesive sound.
If you’re not sure how to set the crossover frequency, consult your subwoofer’s manual.
Is 5.1 surround good enough?
It really depends on a couple of factors such as your budget and the size of your room. A 5.1 surround sound system is a great place to start and will provide an immersive experience for most users.
If you have a large room or are looking for the most immersive experience possible, then you may want to consider upgrading to a 5.2 surround sound system.
The majority of rooms are equipped to accommodate 5.1 speakers. But it might not be adequate for big room audio. When there’s plenty of room behind the room, the surround sound might not be as enveloping.
Just remember that the more speakers and subs you add, the more complicated the setup will be. Make sure you have enough space and that your receiver can handle the additional channels.
Benefits of Using Surround Sound
There are many benefits to using surround sound in your home theatre setup. When used correctly, it can provide an immersive experience that puts you right in the middle of the action. Some of the key benefits include:
Immersive Experience
One of the main benefits of surround sound is that it creates an immersive experience. This is because it uses multiple channels to create a realistic soundstage that surrounds the listener. This makes it feel as if you are right in the middle of the action, which can be really immersive and exciting.
Enhanced Sound Quality
Another benefit of surround sound is that it can improve sound quality. This is because it allows for more accurate placement of sound effects, which can make the overall experience more realistic. It can also help to create a more spacious soundstage, which can be great for movies and TV shows.
Improved Dialogue Clarity
Often, dialogue can be difficult to hear when watching movies or TV shows. This is because it can often get lost in the background noise. However, surround sound can help to improve dialogue clarity by placing it in a specific location within the soundstage. This can make it easier to hear and understand what is being said.
Increase volume
Another benefit of surround sound is that it can often provide a louder sound than traditional stereo systems. This is because it uses multiple channels to create a fuller, more immersive sound. This can be great for movies and TV shows, as it can help to create an even more immersive experience.
Surround sound for Netflix
Netflix has been slowly increasing the amount of content that supports surround sound technology. It now has over 1000 titles with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio.
This is great news for those who have invested in a surround sound system, as it means you can take full advantage of the investment. You can now enjoy your favorite shows and movies with the immersive sound that surround sound provides.
Just be sure to check the audio specifications of the content you are watching, as not all content supports surround sound. You will need a receiver that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X to take full advantage of the technology.
Have you ever noticed certain shows or movies on Netflix have 2.1, 5.1, or 7.1 beside their names? This means they support surround sound technology for the given values.
Unfortunately, two subwoofers don’t seem to be supported on Netflix currently. It only supports one subwoofer in 2, 5, and 7 speaker setups.
This is something to consider if you will be using your home theatre setup primarily for Netflix. You will still get the benefit of using an extra subwoofer of course, but the show you are watching won’t be optimized for the extra sub.
Which should you choose?
If you are unsure whether to choose 5.1 or 5.2 surround sound, there are a few factors to consider.
Consider the size of your room. If the room is relatively small, 5.1 might be better as it will create a more enveloping experience.
However, if the room is large, 5.2 might be a better option as it will create a more spacious soundstage.
Also, consider the size of your receiver. If it can’t handle 5.2 channels, then you will need to go with 5.1.
Finally, consider your budget. 5.2 systems can be more expensive than 5.1 systems, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision.
In the end, it is up to you which surround sound setup you choose. Both 5.1 and 5.2 provide great sound quality and an immersive experience. It really depends on your specific needs and preferences.
