Is 5.1 Dolby Digital a must for football?

Question

Im contemplating whether or not I should host a Super Bowl party, but if I do I was going to go out get a reciever and speakers which I need any way. If so, what is the difference. thanks.

Answer 1

It is not necessary.

I would just use the game as an excuse to buy a surround sound system.

Explain to your other half "it must be done for the good of mankind".

I have actually found that most games actually sound kind of crappy. I have a pretty nice system and I really do not like the games on the surround sound. I usually just listen to them in stereo.

The games have tons and tons of treble and There is no bass to speak of usually.

Besides I can't handle John  Madden that loud anyway. Can't handle Sanders either. Come to think of it the only announcers I can stand are the guys on the radio.

Answer 2

Well...althought most games are broadcasted in 5.1...you wont notice much of a difference, mostly, you'll just hear crowd noise, as the way the microphones are set up on the field, you usually only hear the mic right where the action is. But get one anyway! It will be louder, and you'll enjoy 5.1 on all your movies :)

Answer 3

It's supposed to give the illusion that you're sitting in the crowd. Sometimes, when I watch baseball or football games in 5.1, it seems like there's someone outside my house yelling about something. But, when I get up to go check it out, I realize that it was just that one of the crowd mics picked up some knucklehead in the crowd yelling something.

For a sporting event, the announcers are basically in the center channel, and a little bit in the front right and left channels, with crowd and other ambient noise in the front right and left channels, and in the rear channels. It's kind of a cool effect. And, if you were going to get a receiver and speakers anyway, go for it.

But, get them and hook them up before Sunday. Some receivers can be a bit confusing to set up and use. And plan on having another remote to get used to, too.