Hi do I need surround sound speakers if I want 5.1,6.1 or 7.1 sound?

Question

Hi! Yes I do have HDTV/LCD & it is 50''. I also have Toshiba HD-A3 player. What do I need to have 5.1,6.1 & 7.1? The HD-DVD disk do accept those sounds too. Thank you!

Answer 1

Hi,   First of all congrats on your gear, but to get you on the right track I think you have to look at what your budget  is on buying a receiver and speakers because if you don't hunt for the right prices it can get a bit tricky and yes pricey, But their are a lot of good name brand bargains out their from speaker to receivers that won't tear a hole in your wallet,  Onkyo makes a good 7.1 or7.2 (if you are running two Subs like me) Pioneer, is another one also Sony, and all of these receivers carry the new Dolby Digital Plus/DTS Master Audio playback, but try to stick with something that carries the THX Logo also, this will give your HI-DEF DVD Player the Surround Sound that it was meant to have, .   Definitely you would want to go with a 7.1 Surround System Speaker hook up. (Home Theater ready of course)   Good luck and  enjoy the show.

Answer 2

By "HD-A3" do you mean HD-AC-3? Check the manual and outputs on your equipment. If your equipment has output for Front (L/R), Rear (L/R), Center, and LFR you have a decoder built in. If it does not, you will need a surround decoder. LFR=Low Frequency Range (sub-woofer). You need a speaker system designed for 5.1 or 7.1 surround in order to fully enjoy the setup.

Answer 3

The .1: is the subwoofer channel

5.1: there are 5 channels: front l, front center, front r, back r, back l

6.1: there is a center rear too

7.1: there are side and rear speakers.

7.1 typically leads to loads of speaker cable, unless yoou build a home cinema you're unlikely to find a room that suits it all that easy, and the "wife acceptance factor" of 7.1 is limited too.

sound processors can play 7.1 material on 5+1 speakers.

Better buy 5 really good speakers than 7 semi crappy ones.

Answer 4

I would suggest getting a nice 5.1 which would be reasonably priced as all the "NEW" stuff comes out.....the only difference with the rear center channel is u would hear more?....nah u will hear the same from behind u.....only not in the same place but if u dont have it setup poerfect for the rear center it WONT be effective anyway so i would say get u a nice sony 5.1 setup and u will be good to go.....nice sound and gret price....or u could build u a system urself by buying a receiver then speakers seperate....the bundle would probably work better for u though if u dont know alot about this stuff.....and dont worry about nthis one saying its 200 watts and this one saying its 1000 watts....i mean comeon exactly how loud do u think ur gonna get in ur house anyway....watts doesnt matter sound clarity does...the crispness of the highs and the depth of the lows....sound QUALITY not QUANTITY....good luck man hope this helps ya