How a 7.1 Home Theater System Works

A 7.1 home theater system is one of your options when installing surround sound. The 7.1 version differs from 5.1 and 6.1 in that it adds an additional speaker to provide even more realistic sound quality from your home theater system. Surround sounds offers a far more intense and all inclusive audio experience when watching television or movies or listening to music. You are literally surrounded with sound. Relying on the speakers on the television or even two small speakers mounted on the entertainment center pales in comparison to the effects of surround sound.

7.1 Surround Sound Components

The 7.1 surround sound home theater setup takes what the 5.1 and 6.1 surround sound systems offer and adds another speaker. Basically, the ‘7’ means there are 7 speakers hooked up to the amplifier positioned at 7 different locations around the home theater viewing area. The ‘.1’ refers to 1 source of low frequency effects or LFE emanating from the subwoofer. Thus, 7.1 refers to the full sound capability of a home theater surround sound system.

The speakers are thus labeled: center, left, right, left surround, right surround, left rear and right rear. Add to this the subwoofer LFE and the system is complete.

How 7.1 Surround Sound Works

Imagine, if you will, a home theater entertainment center setup with a couch or seating area directly in front of it at a distance of 8 to 10 feet. Positioned in the center of the system, underneath the television, is the center speaker. To either side of the entertainment center, positioned at an angle towards the couch are two speakers: left and right. Directly to the left and the right of the couch are two more speakers pointing towards the ears of the viewers: left and right surround. To the rear of the couch, positioned at a similar angle to the left and right speakers except that they point back towards the couch are the left and right rear speakers. Lastly, the LFE subwoofer is to the front, oftentimes able to be concealed. Its purpose is to emit low frequency bass vibrations and need not be featured prominently in the setup.

The center speaker usually rests on the entertainment center while all 6 other speakers are mountable to the walls of the home theater room. This will depend upon the manufacturer’s design. Some speakers may be on stands. The net effect of the 7 speakers and 1 LFE subwoofer is a realistic sound experience that can in no way be matched by the basic speakers found on televisions. Even 3 speakers–left, right and center sounds weak by comparison. 

A 7.1 surround sound system added to your home theater will offer you theater quality sound that makes the audio experience as important as the visual element. With 7 speakers and a subwoofer positioned to achieve maximal sound efficiency, watching movies at home will never be the same again. If you are looking for the best means of amplifying sound for your home theater, consider 5.1 and 6.1 audio setups, but 7.1 surround sound offers the most superior sound available.