What is the difference between 2.1ch system & 5.1ch system?

Question

to be use for my laptop pc

Answer 1

2.1 = 2 speakers 1 sub

5.1 = 5 speakers 1 sub

Both can have dolby but obviously 5.1 is going to be better, unfortunately  5.1 will be very awkward :)

Answer 2

3.0ch, or 3 speakers.  the 2.1 has two and a subwoofer.  the 5.1 has 5 speakers and a subwoofer.

Answer 3

3.0   Lol ok it is the difference of two rear channels and a sub... 2.1ch only has 2 "front" speakers with a sub and no rear. In most cases 2.1ch would be more portable but wont sound as good.

Answer 4

5.1 requires a speaker behind you?   On what planet?

As mentioned before, 5.1 is 5 speakers and a sub, 2.1 is two and a sub.

5.1:

Left  Center Right  L/Rear surround, R/Rear surround.   Subwoofer. (that's the .1)

2.1:

Right  Left  Sub    Basically it's just regular 2 channel stereo with a sub.

Answer 5

You guys keep talking about the number of speakers. While you are all right that 2.1 usually has 2 speakers (+subwoofer) and 5.1 usually has 5 speakers you forgot to mention something very important: its not just 5 speakers--its 5 channels of audio. This means that if the onscreen action is taking place behind you to the right (as it were) the sound will come from the right rear speaker! When I bought my 5.1 home theater system I watched Terminator 3 to test it out. The first time I heard a shotgun blast from behind me I ducked! Sweet!

Answer 6

The 5.1 system will require to install speaker behind you. opt for that if it's practical and you like to play games or watch movies on your laptop. Music is usually distributed in 2 channels, so 5.1 doesn't help much for that.

I would go for 2.1 for a laptop