Debunking Myths About Surround Sound

Surround sound systems have been a staple in home entertainment for years, however, navigating the realm of hi-fi audio and surround sound can seem complicated. You’ve likely heard a mix of contradictions that make choosing the right equipment tricky, especially where several myths and misconceptions surround them. To ensure you choose the best equipment for your surround sound system the experts at Selby audio and video stores have shared their knowledge of common myths regarding surround sound. Let’s debunk some of these myths:

Myth: You Don’t Need a Subwoofer

While some may consider subwoofers as an add-on to a speaker system, they play a crucial role in attaining authentic high-fidelity surround sound. Tailored for handling low bass frequencies beyond the capability of satellite speakers, subwoofers are essential for delivering a complete bass sound. Even sizable floor-standing speakers cannot match the effectiveness of a subwoofer in reproducing low frequencies. Standard AV receivers incorporate bass management circuitry, directing lower frequencies to the subwoofer which not only relieves satellite speakers from the burden of handling these frequencies but also ensures the sound is clean and complete overall.

In addition, subwoofers have a critical function in surround sound configurations by receiving the Low-Frequency Effects channel. This implies that their role extends beyond merely generating low frequencies. They are also adept at handling effects and subtleties that other speakers may struggle to reproduce accurately. Consequently, it is not just advisable to include a subwoofer in the setup. Still, the sound quality is greatly enhanced when multiple subwoofers are incorporated, depending on the dimensions of the room. 

Myth: Speaker Position Isn’t Important With Surround Sound

Contrary to popular belief, the placement of speakers in surround sound systems is incredibly important. As the optimal listening area is minimized, the precise positioning of speakers becomes increasingly crucial to achieve perfectly calibrated audio.

Common mistakes in speaker placement within home surround sound systems involve aligning the left, right, and center speakers in a straight line instead of angling them, putting rear speakers beside the listening position rather than behind it, mounting rear speakers too high, or situating them behind furniture. These placement mistakes can result in muffled or unevenly distributed audio throughout the room. While some listeners may not notice much of an issue without meticulous speaker placement, others may desire near-perfect positioning.

Myth: More Speakers Means Better Sound

While one might assume that the optimal listening position is bigger with more speakers, the opposite is true. The optimal position in surround sound systems is actually smaller compared to stereo setups. In stereo configurations, accurate audio playback is achievable from various positions, even in studio environments during audio engineering and mixing. However, incorporating more speakers into a system makes it progressively challenging to achieve precise alignment in speaker positioning.

In professional mix rooms, acoustic treatments are applied to the space, and speakers are meticulously calibrated to a fixed location in front of the console. The room’s dimensions also significantly influence the determination of the ideal speaker positioning. The quality of sound is more important than the quantity of speakers. A well-designed system with fewer high-quality speakers can often outperform a system with more, lower-quality speakers.

However, the majority of home theaters are not arranged under these conditions as they are usually situated in living rooms or areas not explicitly crafted for high-fidelity listening. Due to the variables that can influence the actual sweet spot in a home theater, leveraging calibration technology like the Yamaha Parametric Room Acoustic Optimizer can be incredibly useful.