How to Get the Perfect Surround Sound Speaker Setup

Of course, promising is not the same as delivering – and like soundbars that seek to replicate the effects of a surround sound setup, it is exceedingly difficult to create the sensation of spatial audio without the necessary physical equipment.

For home cinema, the term ‘spatial audio’ can be confidently replaced with ‘3D sound’. Unlike a 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound setup, which creates a circle of sound around the listener, a spatial audio system creates a dome, where sound is distributed from above, as well as from the front, sides, and back.

Imagine your 7.1-channel system, and add four overhead speakers that have their own distinct information contained within the soundtrack. You now have a 7.1.4 system, and any material mixed specifically for a spatial audio system, with an extraordinary amount of scope for operating effects within the dome of sound that the system can create.

The best way to get the spatial audio effect from height channels is to install the speakers precisely on the ceiling of your home cinema room. I hardly need to tell you that this is a relatively complex process, and never one you might be tempted to call “cheap”. This is why many loudspeaker brands have developed upward firing modules that are designed to sit on top of certain speaker cabinets in your surround sound setup, and reflect sound off the ceiling in an attempt to replicate the effect of overhead speakers. This is a similar approach to spatial audio soundbars that have the drivers facing upwards – but obviously on a larger scale.

Does surround sound really sound better?

For the most dedicated movie fans, the answer here is undoubtedly yes – if you choose to invest in a surround sound setup, the sound that accompanies the movies you watch will completely change. Whether it’s right for you, your budget and your space is a very different question, and it’s worth considering other options for improving your home cinema sound before making the investment.

surround sound vs stereo sound

The question of which is “better” between surround sound and stereo sound isn’t really absolute here – it’s somewhat like trying to decide what’s better between an apple or an onion. However, it’s fair to say that if your primary interest is in home cinema rather than music, a surround sound setup will bring you much closer to the filmmaker’s (and their sound designer’s) objectives than a stereo option.

All movie soundtracks will have been mixed for delivery by a surround sound setup, and this is true whether you’re getting your movie from a streaming service or via older media like 4K Blu-ray. Of course, a stereo downmix will be available for those listening through a TV or stereo system, but the true intent of the surround sound mix will only be apparent when it is heard through a surround sound system.

surround sound vs soundbar

Photograph: Ryan Vaniata

For anyone trying to decide between surround sound and a soundbar, what’s best will depend on your budget and/or the space you have – as well as how many movies you actually watch, and whether you want the full home cinema experience. Yes, a soundbar is more convenient than a surround sound setup, and it’s almost certainly more affordable. But is this a surround sound solution? You already know the answer to this.