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Surround Sound "newbie" questions

335 Views 3 Replies 2 Participants Last post by Leeliemix, Oct 23, 2019

MTVhike

Discussion Starter · Oct 23, 2019

Even though I have had a 5.1 system for over a decade, I still am confused by some of the terminology. I think I know that:
5.1 = 3 front speakers, 2 side (or rear?) speakers, and 1 subwoofer
7.1 = same as above but both side and rear speakers
5.2 or 7.2 = two subwoofers
But what is 7.2.4, etc?

I said I have a 5.1, but I think I really have 5.0, because all speakers are full-range, and I currently have no sub woofer. My primary content source is OTA or satellite TV, and even a simple non-surround sound source may some (synthetic?) surround content. e.g. I'm watching an old move and, depending on the settings on my AVR (a Yamaha Aventage RX1010), sounds come out of my rear speakers.

I have three spaces, the one I describe above is in the attic of my primary home, and also serves as a bedroom. I have built a new retirement home and am setting a HT in the basement. Eventually the Yamaha system will be moved there, but right now it has only a soundbar (which actually sounds surprisingly good!). Finally, I'm installing a stereo-only system in the great room of the retirement home, based on a NAD C356 amplifier. I plan to get a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers. This room suffers from excessive brightness, so much so that if I'm listening to dialog, I really have to sit right next to one of the speakers.

I've watched several of Scott Wilkinson's Home Theater Geeks videos, especially on room treatment. However, they seem to be between 2 and 6 years old; anything newer out there?

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Leeliemix

· #2 · Oct 23, 2019

Surround Sound "newbie" questions

MTVhike said:
Even though I have had a 5.1 system for over a decade, I still am confused by some of the terminology. I think I know that:

5.1 = 3 front speakers, 2 side (or rear?) speakers, and 1 subwoofer

7.1 = same as above but both side and rear speakers

5.2 or 7.2 = two subwoofers

But what is 7.2.4, etc?

I said I have a 5.1, but I think I really have 5.0, because all speakers are full-range, and I currently have no sub woofer. My primary content source is OTA or satellite TV, and even a simple non-surround sound source may some (synthetic?) surround content. e.g. I'm watching an old move and, depending on the settings on my AVR (a Yamaha Aventage RX1010), sounds come out of my rear speakers.

I have three spaces, the one I describe above is in the attic of my primary home, and also serves as a bedroom. I have built a new retirement home and am setting a HT in the basement. Eventually the Yamaha system will be moved there, but right now it has only a soundbar (which actually sounds surprisingly good!). Finally, I'm installing a stereo-only system in the great room of the retirement home, based on a NAD C356 amplifier. I plan to get a pair of Magnepan LRS speakers. This room suffers from excessive brightness, so much so that if I'm listening to dialog, I really have to sit right next to one of the speakers.

I've watched several of Scott Wilkinson's Home Theater Geeks videos, especially on room treatment. However, they seem to be between 2 and 6 years old; anything newer out there?

5.1 have surround speakers that are supposed to be to the side or side slightly back. Some do put them behind but thats not optimal.

7.1 can be with front wide instead of rear surrounds.

5.2 or 7.2 is two subs yes but many with multiple subs still just write .1 because they are essentially treated as one anyway.

5.1.2 or 5.1.4 or 7.1.6 for example is height and/or top speakers for Atmos and similar. Basically earlevel.subs.above

What kind of speakers do you have if they are truly fullrange? that is very very rare. My speakers have a -3dB at 27hz and they are not truly fullrange even if they go lower then most.

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MTVhike

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 23, 2019

Leeliemix said:
What kind of speakers do you have if they are truly fullrange? that is very very rare. My speakers have a -3dB at 27hz and they are not truly fullrange even if they go lower then most.

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My use of the term "full range" is because I've seen 5.1 systems advertised where all the surround speakers are tiny - i.e. maybe 2 or 3 inches across. The mains are also fairly small (and cheap), and the sub is the only speaker which has any bass at all.

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Leeliemix

· #4 · Oct 23, 2019

MTVhike said:
My use of the term "full range" is because I've seen 5.1 systems advertised where all the surround speakers are tiny - i.e. maybe 2 or 3 inches across. The mains are also fairly small (and cheap), and the sub is the only speaker which has any bass at all.

Aah, i understand. Get yourself some good subs, it will take your home theater a big step forward. Sound wise there is no good reason to not get a sub(s) in a home theater, they are supposed to be there and fullrange speakers that go below 20hz in any decent way are so expensive anyway that those who can afford them get good subs also. A sub or two will make the job much easier for the rest of the speakers(and their amps)so they can focus on their own job.

(And in those tiny systems the ‘sub’ is more of a bass box then an actual sub, its amazing they are allowed to call them subs when they often dont actually go much deeper then large quality bookshelf speakers...)

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