Is a 3.1 surround system good?

Question

its from wal-mart. its 1000 rms wattss

Answer 1

3.1 just means 3 speakers and a woofer.

5.1 means the system can provide surround sound with 5 speakers and a woofer. You will get a better effect.

Now theres 7.1

So is the system good? well no but if it sounds good to you then it has value and its alright.

Answer 2

3.1 is between 2.1 and 5.1

2.1 is good for stereo music with the .1 (LFE) giving extension bass when your front speakers lost steam.

5.1 is good for sorround sound for movies.

3.1 therefore means 2 front speakers, 1 centre speaker and a sub- woofer. You can't appreciate stereo music with 3.1 as the centre speaker will meddle with the seperation of the left and right channel. As for movies you will miss the sorround effects.



Now, is it good?

I'd say no as you'll be having a half baked system

1000W rms? Maybe it's 1000W PMPO. If it's rms check for THD         ( total harmonic distortion). Should be less than 1%.

Answer 3

3.1 is not good.... in fact it isn't even possible.  3.1 indicates 3 speakers (left, right, center) all positioned in the front, firing towards the viewer (or listener), and, one subwoofer.  Surround sound requires the addition of 2 speakers places in the rear, or behind the viewer.  Some systems claim to simulate the surround sound effect with only 3 speakers, but all you get is a distorted echo sound from the left and right speakers.  If you want true surround sound, then buy that. If you just want something that is cheap and sounds pretty good, stick with a 2 speaker setup with a subwoofer.

Answer 4

Its not the ideal system but may be better off for you. I would make sure to try it out against a 5.1 system. Always listen to the system first. But what ever is at Walmart could hardly be described as a critical system, rather an effect more than accurate reproduction.