Surround Sound Speakers

A key element to achieving surround sound is the placement of the surround sound speakers. Most surround systems will include 5 speakers; two at the front which are the left and right speakers, one in the centre just above or below the TV, and two surround which sit to the left and right behind the seating area. Whatever the style of speaker that is being used, this placement is key to achieve true surround sound.

Generally speaking, the left and right speakers at the front will be louder than the rest of them, as these will produce the standard stereo signals. The central speaker is for speech and anything central in the audio mix. The two speakers behind the seating space will generally be quieter, as these are for background noises, but they can in some instances reach a similar volume level depending on the audio at hand.

With 5.1 speakers, the '.1' refers to the addition of a subwoofer which is a good option for maximum immersiveness. Without having a subwoofer in the setup, you will still hear bass frequencies well, however, adding a subwoofer means that the deepest frequencies and sounds in a mix will be picked up, which adds greatly to the surround sound experience.

Our sets of Fenton surround speakers including floor standing speakers are effective as well as aesthetically pleasing, as you have the choice of black or walnut colour. This makes them great for use at home in a living room due to their sleek design.

Are surround sound speakers worth it?

If you want a completely immersive experience when watching films and gaming then yes, it would definitely be worth getting some surround sound speakers. Rather than the audio just coming from in front of you, surround speakers will completely enclose the listening space so that there is audio coming from all directions. The audio itself coming from each speaker will follow a surround sound mix. For example, any audio that happens to the left of the media you are watching will be reproduced from the front left and back left speakers.

If you are just wanting some speakers for music purposes, then surround sound speakers may not be worthwhile. Any music will follow a stereo audio mix, so you won't get a true surround sound experience like you would with video media. That being said, stereo audio is still achievable through 5.1 speakers, it will just be outputted from the main left and right floor speakers while the rest stay silent, making a surround sound system easily adaptable for different uses.

It is particularly worth getting some surround sound speakers with an included subwoofer. The addition of a subwoofer provides the system with extremely low bass frequencies that the full-range speakers are simply not capable of reproducing. Particularly great when gaming or watching films, a subwoofer will give you a huge sense of immersion.

What is the difference between front speakers and surround speakers?

The front speakers in a surround sound setup are the main left and right stereo speakers, while the surround speakers are the smaller units that are placed behind the listening space for atmospheric and ambient sounds. Each style of speaker contributes greatly to a surround sound system, and each has a different size and frequency response to work best with an audio mix.

Among the main stereo tower speakers at the front of a surround sound setup, an extremely important speaker is the centre unit. This is the smaller speaker that sits just above or below the centre point of the TV. The main purpose of this speaker is for speech in an audio mix, however, any completely central sounds will be reproduced from this unit.

How should surround speakers be placed?

Of course, the placement of each speaker in a surround setup is extremely important to achieve the best effect. The main front stereo speakers should be as close to the left and right of the TV as possible and should aim towards the listening space so that you are only hearing the audio that the speakers are reproducing with minimal natural reverberation and acoustics.

The central speaker is extremely important to place correctly, and thankfully it's not hard to get it right. It should be directly in the middle of the TV, and can be mounted above or below depending on your preferences and how it sounds in your room.

The surround speakers, although producing minimal audio in a 5.1 speaker setup, are still important to place correctly. They should be at equal distance from the listening space and aimed towards the listener's head, but slightly behind to achieve the surround effect.

Although there is a general guide to place surround speakers correctly, the way you place the speakers will depend entirely on your room. For example, you may have limited space for the speakers so locating them can be difficult. Also, any speaker sounds different in any given room, so experimenting with different placements and how it sounds is the best way to achieve the best sound possible.

Buy surround sound speakers

It is important to choose the correct surround speakers when considering the available space you have for them as well as the amplifier/AV receiver you are intending to pair them with.

If you aren't sure which surround sound speakers to choose, feel free to get in contact with us and we will be happy to guide you through your options and which set would work best for you.