5.1 to 9.1: Set up the sound system correctly
You can set up sound systems for cinema or music operation correctly according to a certain scheme. We will explain which speakers belong to which position.
Set up the classic 5.1 system correctly
A 5.1 system consists of two front speakers, a center, two rear speakers and a subwoofer. The first number therefore always stands for the normal loudspeakers, with the point always followed by the number of subwoofers. For example, there are also 5.2 systems with two woofers. How to proceed with the installation:
- Basically, you must always set up the front in the same way. Place the two main speakers on the left and right, with the center in between. As a rule of thumb, you can separate the two front speakers as far as they are from the two speakers.
- Whether you aim the two main speakers towards you or not depends on the type of speaker and your personal listening taste. If possible, you can make sure that the tweeters are on the move with your ears. However, this is not always possible.
- Ideally, you should sit in the middle or slightly to the rear between the two rears and the front speakers.
- The best way to mount the rears is to head-high, just like the tweeters. There are also dipole speakers with a tweeter in the front and one in the back. You should rather place them parallel to you, with the membranes facing the wall opposite you. This ensures a more diffuse sound image in films.
- All of the above installation tips are only rough indications. Mainly stick to your listening taste and experiment. Almost all AV receivers have integrated calibration systems (Audyssey, MCACC, YPAO). Once you have found your optimal setup, you can carry out a room measurement using the included microphone. This allows you to optimally adapt the audio signal to your room.
7.1 and 9.1 Set up the system correctly
You can consider these two systems as an extension of the classic 5.1 system:
- In a 7.1 system there are two rear speakers, the so-called surround backs. In the meantime there were also 6.1 systems, there was only one instead of two backs.
- Now you can expand the 7.1 system to a 9.1 system. This time you need new boxes in the front area. These are known as front high speakers. As the name suggests, you have to position them below the ceilings and above the two front speakers. Again, your personal listening taste decides whether you angle the speakers downwards or not.
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If you have set up your system correctly. you can optimize your sound on the AV receiver.