Surroundbar setup

The second number after the decimal point specifies how many low-frequency channels exist. It may sound like overkill. Nevertheless, if you want to take full advantage of Dolby Atmos technology, overhead speakers facilitate more accurate audio reproduction by adding height information.

The most popular home theater setup is a 5. Five of them are standard full-range speakers while one is a dedicated subwoofer for low-frequency reproduction.

This arrangement gives a pretty comprehensive surround sound experience without overcomplicating setup. There are three front channels, two rear surround channels, and one subwoofer channel.

Protip: enable surround sound in sports games, then disconnect the center channel if you don't want to listen to the announcers. You can sift through various outlets to find a 5. Unfortunately, things get expensive quickly. Otherwise, if you already own a receiver Monoprice is respected for its high-value, low-cost products.

TV, monitor, projector. This consolidates your audio-visual cables, requiring one instead of multiple. The downside to buying such a system is that not all devices support it. You also need to look out for decoder compatibility. AV receivers typically have more than one decoder. These certified receivers include inputs and amps for additional channels and ensure the inclusion of a Dolby Digital decoder.

AV receivers have a myriad of connectors. You can learn all about audio connections here. If you want a quick rundown of the most prevalent inputs and outputs for surround sound receivers, read on. Depending on what kind of 5. HDMI is imperative for modern home theater setups.

Blu-ray players, cable boxes, and gaming consoles. You can get a cheap, effective HDMI cable from nearly anywhere. An optical cable is more resistant to interference because it carries light instead of electricity. Coaxial and optical inputs serve do basically the same thing but with different cables and connectors. Speaker wire comes in different gauges, and can be terminated with bare connections or connectors like the gold plated banana plugs shown here.

Speaker connections are key to setting up a home theater system. This matrix of connections may look intimidating but should be clearly labelled.

You should see front, center, surround, etc. Was this article helpful? Contact Us. Do Not Fill This Out. When utilizing this feature, it is important you are using the right connections and cables. Adding a subwoofer helps even out the bass, which might be louder on one side with only one subwoofer.

If you do get a sound system with two subwoofers, they should be placed on opposite sides of your screen. Each speaker in a surround sound system has its own purpose, and each speaker should be placed in a specific location for the best audio experience. Here are the different kinds of surround sound setups, what each speaker does, and how to set each of them up. You should place the front left and right speakers at a degree angle, and the subwoofer should go on the floor on either side of your screen.

Ideally, you want the two front stereo channels to be at ear-level and about two to three feet away from the wall. You should place the center channel speaker directly in front of the listener.

This center channel adds more depth and clarity, especially to dialogue. With a 5. The two surround speakers create a much more immersive effect, which can instantly improve your home theater experience. But, if you do not have room to place your surround speakers at an angle behind you, they can also be placed on either side of your seating area at a degree angle.

With this setup, you should place rear speakers behind the listener at a degree angle. Unlike a 5. Since all of the audio that is meant to come from behind is now handled by the rear speakers, you can move your surround speakers to either side of your seating area at a degree angle.