| In this article we will consider the common stereo and | | | | 3. 5.1 Configuration |
| surround sound speaker location and layout types that | | | | This is a surround sound setup, which means there are |
| you will come across for home theater systems. | | | | speakers placed all around your listening position to |
| It is common for people to spend a great deal of time | | | | make you feel right in the middle of the action. This |
| and money buying and installing a large flat screen TV, | | | | configuration has six speakers - front left and right, |
| but then pay little attention to the sound that they hear. | | | | centre, surround left and right and a subwoofer. This is |
| They forget that the sound forms a large part of the | | | | the most common setup for a home surround sound |
| movie experience, and if it is ignored then they will be | | | | speaker system. |
| missing out on half the fun. | | | | 4. 7.1 Layout |
| Whilst the audio you get from a modern flat screen | | | | A 7.1 surround sound system has eight speakers. It is |
| TV can be acceptable, it is nothing compared to a | | | | the same as the 5.1 layout above, except it has two |
| dedicated sound system in your room. The extra | | | | extra speakers placed behind your seating position. |
| volume and clarity your will get from an amplifier and | | | | This speaker layout gives an even better feeling of |
| speaker setup is far superior to the built-in speakers | | | | being part of the action. |
| you get with your television. | | | | 5. 7.2 Configuration |
| One of the important decisions you need to make if | | | | This is becoming more common and many AV |
| you are considering a speaker system, is to decide | | | | receivers now support this layout. It is the same as the |
| which speaker configuration you want for your room. | | | | 7.1 configuration above except it has two subwoofers. |
| Here is a list of the the most common speaker layouts | | | | The main reason to have two subwoofers in your |
| you will come across. They are often given names | | | | room is to spread the bass frequencies around the |
| that refer to the number of speakers in the setup, and | | | | room more evenly. |
| these are the terms we will use here: | | | | Now that you understand the different stereo and |
| 1. 2.0 Configuration | | | | surround sound speaker location configurations you |
| Otherwise known as good old stereo. This is the most | | | | have to choose from, it is easier to make a choice as |
| basic setup which will have two speakers either side | | | | to the best layout for your room. The one that you |
| of your television. Although a basic setup, you can still | | | | choose may depend on the space you have available |
| get a much better sound than the speakers on the TV | | | | in your room, or may come down to the budget you |
| with a good amplifier and pair of speakers. | | | | have to spend on your system. |
| 2. 2.1 Layout | | | | The main thing to remember is that any of these will |
| This is similar to the stereo version above. The | | | | give you a much better sound than you get from your |
| difference being there is the addition of a subwoofer. | | | | TV. |
| A subwoofer is a large speaker dedicated to | | | | Once you have decided which layout you want, there |
| reproducing the low, bass frequencies and can make | | | | are many things to consider regarding the placement |
| a big difference to the sound quality - especially for | | | | of the speakers in your room. For more information on |
| movies with lots of deep bass sound effects. The '.1' in | | | | speaker placement, follow the links below. |
| the name tells us there is a subwoofer. | | | | |