Recommended surround sound
Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package review: A stylish, pleasant-sounding home cinema system
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What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. A stylish, pleasant-sounding home cinema speaker package Tested at £1699
(Image: © Future)
What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Full, honest and warm - these clever performers will make the best out of any home cinema soundtrack
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Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Home cinema speakers are about lifting your home entertainment onto a higher plane of existence. It’s all there on your video content just waiting to be unlocked: a beautiful soundtrack, clean dialogue, big-hitting bass and surround sound effects all projected onto a soundstage with you at the centre.
All you need is a great package to unlock it. Could that be the Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package?
Build and compatibility
(Image credit: Future)Upfront are the Award-winning Dali Oberon 5 floorstanders. The surrounds are either the five-star Dali Oberon 1 standmounters (£1699), which is the package we're testing, or the compact Dali On-Wall speakers (£1799). Either way, they have tidy MDF cabinets, with a choice of Black Ash, White, Dark Walnut and Light Oak finishes.
- Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package at Richer Sounds for £1,699
We feel rather blessed to be sat in the middle of the beautiful two-tone light oak options which are attractive, subtle, modern and the kind of speakers that would suit most rooms.
At just 83cm tall, the two-way front pair is as unobtrusive a set of floorstanders as you’ll find. They’re significantly smaller in every dimension than its main speaker package rivals, the Elac Debut 2.0 Home Theatre System and Q Acoustics 3050i Cinema Pack – and that’s well worth considering if you have limited space in which to house your 5.
1 system.
The Oberon 5s have a fairly large and lightweight 29mm soft dome tweeter, and that allows it to dip into lower frequencies to help integrate itself with the sound coming from the woofers.
Those two 13cm mid/bass drivers are made from Dali’s wood fibre/fine grain paper pulp choice of cone material, which the company believes is the best available balance between rigidity and low resonance.
They’re positioned within a low-loss surround using spider suspension to focus on micro details with maximum transparency. All three units within each speaker are linked with a single-wired two-way crossover, giving a sensitivity of 88dB/W/m and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
(Image credit: Future)It’s a similar story for the shoebox-sized Oberon 1 surround speakers. There’s just the one midrange driver here, and Dali has made these standmounters as versatile as possible by adding a wall-mounting attachment.
While they sound better than most hung like this, we’d recommend setting them around 30cm into the room for maximum clarity.
One of the key make-or-break battlegrounds of a speaker package is the centre and it’s the Oberon Vokal that is tasked with that job here.
It has the same selection of drivers as the floorstanders arranged with the tweeter in the middle and the front-facing bass port just underneath. That arrangement has been chosen to help achieve a wider dispersion pattern and make positioning less fussy.
(Image credit: Future)Last but not least, is the subwoofer. It’s a Dali Sub E9-F, which is a relatively small cube that comes in Black Ash, White or Light Walnut. An aluminium-coned, 23cm woofer sits inside the MDF enclosure which itself sits 3cm off the floor, thanks to some rubber legs, creating enough space for a downward-firing bass vent to work its magic.
It’s powered by a 170W RMS Class D amplifier and has a heavy magnet motor system with a four-layered, long-stroke voice coil designed to keep the cone up to speed with the amp’s signal. There are controls around the back for fine-tuning the speaker to your room with dials for gain and crossover.
Sound
(Image credit: Future)We fire up the projector and head to Deadpool on 4K Blu-ray. The film opens up with the kind of scene that puts home cinema sound through its paces. It’s chaotic – with explosions, dialogue, cars zooming left and right, and plenty of thumps and amusing details as henchmen meet their grisly ends. The Dali Oberons perform the job admirably.
Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package tech specs
(Image credit: Future)Finishes 4
Bi-wired No
Fronts
Dimensions (hwd) 83 x 16 x 28cm
Weight 10.8kg
Surrounds
Dimensions (hwd) 27 x 16 x 23cm
Weight 4.2kg
Centre
Dimensions (hwd) 44 x 30 x 16cm
Weight 7.45kg
Sub
Dimensions (hwd) 31 x 29 x 31cm
Weight 11kg
There’s a beautiful rasping quality to a motorcycle as it zips across the picture trying to avoid a tumbling vehicle pile-up.
It shifts across the soundstage in a wonderfully integrated fashion and, like the rest of the moving action, we’re never aware of the sound passing from speaker to speaker but more through the space around us which is exactly how home cinema should be.
There’s surprising authority and power to this relatively diminutive package as well; not as much as the crowd-pleasing Q Acoustics 3050is, perhaps, but the Dalis hold their own.
The hits are huge as airborne vehicles slam into the road with terrifying weight and every bone-crunching punch sounds as though it has been delivered with super-human strength, but the details of twisting metal and the splattering blood aren’t steamrollered by the thuds.
Switching to dialogue scenes with Wade Wilson and we’re blown away by the way the Dalis convey the character in his voice. The dynamics and detail from the centre speaker give a fabulous sense of the roughness of his timbre.
There’s more credibility to the hard-boiled background of the character as the speakers express the cracks in his tone, which you imagine are caused by things Wilson has seen and done as a Special Forces soldier.
The muffled quality of his speech through the Deadpool mask is good enough to hear the texture of the disguise itself.
There are incidental moments where the detail is not quite as fine and singular as with the more delicate Elac Debut 2.0s — a glass placed upon a table, the safety clicked off a gun, for instance — they’re all present, but not quite so beautifully three-dimensional. Instead, what we have with the Dalis is the best of both worlds, and a definite overall step-up in sonic terms.
While the sub can create quite the rumble with the gain turned up high, it’s best to dial it down for a more subtle response. At sensible levels, it still delivers enough atmosphere and tone. If serious weight is what you need, then you can always upgrade to the Dali E-12F with its 30cm driver.
Verdict
Lean, attractive, interesting and unfussy: these words are equally apt for both the aesthetics and acoustics of these clever performers.
The Dali Oberon 5 5.1 system presents every frequency in full, but with honesty and warmth that brings the best out of any soundtrack. They’re transparent but fun, powerful but subtle; we’d have them round to ours any day.
SCORES
- Sound 5
- Compatibility 5
- Build 5
MORE:
Best speaker packages
Best AV receivers: brilliant home cinema amplifiers
11 of the best film scenes to test surround sound
How to set up your home cinema speaker system
See all the What Hi-Fi? Award 2022 winners
Dali Oberon 5 5.1 Speaker Package: Price Comparison
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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products.
Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.
Read more about how we test
What Hi-Fi? is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site .
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Home Cinema Pack review: refined sound at an excellent price
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What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. Pure class for the masses Tested at £999 / $1227 / AU$2423
(Image: © Wharfedale)
What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Fluid, composed and consistent, the Wharfedale 12.1 Home Cinema Pack is a mature yet affordable surround sound system
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Pros
- +
Impressive insight and composure
- +
Taut, melodic sub
- +
Wide, uniform soundfield
Cons
- -
Nothing
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
It’s not always easy to be part of a large, successful dynasty. Just ask the Windsors. Despite the inherent advantages of belonging to a prosperous lineage, it can be tough to make your own mark and be noticed – for positive reasons at least.
Similar to the Royals, fellow British institution Wharfedale and its Diamond series of speakers have a long and storied legacy (albeit with significantly less scandal), as well as a bit of a German connection.
Beginning in 1982 with a single model, the accessibly priced Diamond range is now in its 14th generation, slightly confusingly known as Diamond 12. This generation consists of three sizes of stand-mount speakers (12.0, 12.1, 12.2), two options of floorstanders (12.3 and 12.4) and a single centre speaker (12.C).
But there are no hereditary hangovers to be found here. For Diamond 12, Wharfedale brought in German-based designer Karl Heinz Fink, previously heavily involved with Q Acoustics, to makeover the range from front to back. Almost every aspect of the construction from the cabinet to the driver material has been revised, and the result is a surprisingly charming, affordable and well-engineered line-up of speakers for a stereo or 5.1 (or more) surround set-up.
- Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP at Sevenoaks for £999
Price
(Image credit: Wharfedale)There are several possible ways to configure combinations of Diamond 12 models in a home cinema environment.
Here, we’re testing a system comprising a quartet of the excellent, mid-sized Diamond 12.1 bookshelf speakers for fronts and surrounds (priced at £249 / $399 / AU$699 per pair), with the 12.C in the middle (£229 / $229 / AU$575) and the SW10 powered subwoofer (£349 / $ 599 / AU$1149) supplying the bass.
In the UK, this system is called the Diamond 12 Home Cinema Pack and can be picked up for £999 – a saving of £77 over the cost of buying everything separately.
Build
(Image credit: Wharfedale)Diamond 12’s redesign began with the construction of the cabinet, and the result is a solid, smart, understated build. Available in four shades of matte wood grain, the classic design is neatly offset by a high-shine baffle in solid black or white.
The engineers created the panelling from varying thicknesses of MDF that, together with spot bracing, help better control unwanted resonances. The boxes have a substantial feel but aren’t visually obtrusive. They also look more expensive than they are.
Each of the speakers has a claimed 8 ohm impedance and two sets of terminals for bi-wiring, with mirror-finish metal straps included for non-bi-wired set-ups.
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 Home Cinema Pack tech specs
(Image credit: Wharfedale)Diamond 12.1:
Type 2-way, bass reflex
Max power 100W
Sensitivity 88dB
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency response 65Hz to 20kHz
Dimensions (hwd) 31 x 18 x 28cm
Weight 6.8kg (each)
Diamond 12.C centre
Type 2-way, bass reflex
Max power 120W
Sensitivity 90dB
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency response 90Hz to 20kHz
Dimensions (hwd) 18 x 48 x 21cm
Weight 8.5kg (each)
SW10 subwoofer:
Amplifier output 200W
Sensitivity 110dB
Line input impedance 10 kilo ohms
LFE input Impedance 5 kilo ohms
Frequency response 40Hz to 120Hz
Dimensions (hwd) 42 x 34 x 38 m
Weight 16.
5kg (each)
The 12.1 stand mounters have a two-way rear-ported design featuring a single 13cm mid/bass driver composed of something called ‘Klarity’, which is not a Kardashian but a new polypropylene composite cone material with mica added to improve rigidity. The Klarity cones are driven by a magnet with an aluminium compensation ring to minimise the effects of fluctuations in inductance that can occur as the voice coil moves.
The 25mm textile tweeter domes, meanwhile, are almost completely exposed, with a high gloss coating and a design intended to offer wide dispersion, smooth response and strong dynamics. The two drivers are linked with a carefully calibrated crossover that the company says uses premium components. The 12.C is configured similarly to the 12.1, but with a pair of 13cm Klarity drivers and a single tweeter.
The SW-10 subwoofer is available in matching wood finishes with the same polished baffle housing a single front-facing 25cm long-throw driver. Hidden at the rear are physical controls for level, phase and auto-sense (the sub comes out of standby when a signal is received), as well as two RCA inputs.
Perched upon four stocky feet, it sits at 42cm high and, despite it being the smallest sub in the four strong SW series, it is by no means tiny. However, the quality of the build means it resembles a handsome piece of furniture rather than an awkward black cube and, especially given its performance, we imagine most people will be happy to make space for it in their living room.
Sound
(Image credit: Wharfedale)The tautness and dexterity of the SW-10 is immediately striking when the Diamond 12.1 HCP gets playing. It’s an incredibly musical sub and it blends seamlessly with the smaller speakers, which themselves have an. impressively well-integrated low end. The result is rich and lively sound, particularly with films with a heavily featured score. When watching Amelie, Yann Tiersen’s famous accompaniment bursts with warmth and depth while there’s an undeniable snappiness across the board that isn’t limited just to high transients. Despite this responsiveness when things get busy, the 12.
1s maintain a strong control, with a secure sense of authority and cohesion.
The sonic agility of the package is displayed well in the scene in which Amelie meets the photo booth repairman for the first time. Here, the stylised, heightened sound design is matched up with the choppy film editing and each sudden effect bursts dynamically with confidence, drama and uniformity around the viewer.
(Image credit: Wharfedale)The soundfield is smooth and although swapping the front two speakers for floorstanders would certainly provide more scale, there is something to be said for the consistency of tone created by using the same speaker for fronts and surrounds.
Also in this respect, the 12.C centre speaker is well-matched to the 12.1s and, unlike with so many other packages, pulls its weight equally. We watch sonic psychological drama The Sound Of Silence and find that audio-obsessive protagonist Peter’s ultra soft-spoken, emotionally repressed dialogue is well projected with clarity and nuance.
Set in the bustle of New York, Peter’s job is to rid the city of unwanted ambient sounds and as he pads around his clients’ apartments hunting for creaking floorboards and whining pipes, the Diamond 12 HCP digs up plenty of domestic detail and subtlety, making us feel the need to check if it’s actually our air conditioning unit making the annoying hum.
To give these tabletop-sized boxes a bit more of a vigorous challenge we try Blade Runner 2049 and they project the meaty, sonorous score with both composure and charisma. In the scene in which Ryan Gosling flies to the orphanage there are plenty of delicate nuances, from the sound of the raindrops landing on the windscreen to the wiper cleaning them off. Later on, when things inevitably start to get explosive, the 12.1s still deliver with balanced but compelling force.
Verdict
(Image credit: Wharfedale)With poise, effortlessness, cut glass diction and charisma, the Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP is essentially the Audrey Hepburn of home theatre speaker packages.
It offers rich bass without sacrificing or overpowering the mid and treble, presenting a mature sound that’s rich in impact, agility, detail and sensitivity.
Large enough to provide cinematic scale with a wide soundfield, but discreet and affordable enough to be accessible to a variety of audiences, the 12.1s prove to be an excellent choice for both music and film.
SCORES
- Sound 5
- Compatibility 5
- Build 5
MORE:
The best home theatre speaker systems
Read our review of Q Acoustics' 3010i 5.1 Cinema Pack
Read our review of the KEF Q350 AV 5.1
Read our review of the Dali Spektor 2 5.1
See all the What Hi-Fi? Award 2022 winners
Wharfedale Diamond 12.1 HCP: Price Comparison
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What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.
Read more about how we test
What Hi-Fi? is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site .
© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.
The Complete Guide to Surround Sound
The first surround sound technology appeared in the early 1970s and was called Quadraphonic sound. The technology, in which discrete sound was transmitted from four speakers located at the corners of the room, did not last long due to technical problems and format incompatibilities.
However, the idea of being able to immerse yourself in three-dimensional sound did not leave the audio producers. At 19In 1982, Dolby Laboratories introduced Dolby Surround technology, which transfers the surround sound signal to a stereo source through a process called matrix encoding.
Dolby soon introduced Pro-Logic surround sound technology and has since contributed to the advancement of surround sound in the home to the point where up to eleven speakers can now be used for surround sound to put the listener right in the center of the action, whether it be a concert or battle in deep space.
Surround sound remains an obscure and confusing technology for many. While many understand the basic concept of using multiple speakers for cinematic sound, not everyone sees the difference between the various formats. 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 9.2, Pro-Logic IIx, Pro Logic IIz, Dolby DSX and more... Enough to make your head spin.
In this manual, we hope to clarify the various concepts of surround sound.
Matrix
In this case, individual audio signals are encoded as a stereo source. This approach was the basis for early surround sound formats such as Dolby Surround and Dolby Pro Logic and was based in part on the fact that early audio-video media such as VHS cassettes did not have enough space for discrete information.
Speakers
Surround sound generally includes a set of front stereo speakers (left and right) and a set of surround speakers, which are typically mounted to the sides and behind the center listening position. The next step involves adding a center channel: the speaker located between the front left and right speakers and which is primarily responsible for reproducing movie dialogue. Thus, we have five speakers. We will be adding more speakers later, but for now we can use this basic 5 speaker layout as the basis for various surround sound formats.
Pro Logic
Using a matrix process, Dolby's Pro Logic surround encodes separate signals in the main left and right channels. Dolby was able to allow home audio devices to decode two additional channels of audio from media such as VHS cassettes, which gave sound to the center channel and surround speakers. Because of the limited space on VHS cassettes, matrix surround signals came with some limitations.
Surround channels in basic Pro Logic were not in stereo and had limited bandwidth. This means that each speaker played the same music and the sound did not contain enough bass or treble.
Dolby Digital 5.1 / AC-3: starting point
Remember laser discs? Although the laser disc was invented in 1978, it was not until 1983 that mass production began. One of the advantages of laser discs (LD) was that they had much more storage space than VHS cassettes. Dolby took advantage of this fact and created the AC-3 format, better known as Dolby Digital. This format improved Pro-Logic and provided sound with higher frequencies. It is also possible to add a channel with low frequency effects by adding ".1" to the 5.1 format that is processed by the subwoofer. All information in Dolby Digital 5.1 is discrete and there is no need for a matrix.
Even when at 19In 1997 DVDs appeared, Dolby Digital remained the default surround sound format. To this day, Dolby Digital 5.1 is considered by many to be the standard for surround sound, and is found on many Blu-ray discs.
DTS: a rival
How is the technology market without competition? Up to a certain point, Dolby dominated the surround sound industry. However, in 1993, the DTS format appeared. DTS (Digital Theater Systems) is another company that provides digital surround sound services for film production. DTS surround sound was first heard in theaters on the movie Jurassic Park. DTS uses more bitrate and therefore provides more audio information. As an analogy, you can imagine the difference between listening to an MP3 file with bit rates of 256 kbps and 320 kbps. The difference in quality is noticeable, but some consider it insignificant.
6.1
In order to improve surround sound by expanding the "sound stage", a sixth speaker is added to the original 5.
1 configuration, resulting in a 6.1 configuration. This sixth speaker is placed in the center of the back of the room and acts as a surround back or rear speaker. With this step, the confusion around surround sound began. People tend to think of surround speakers as "rear speakers" since they are often seen placed at the back of a room. The recommended speaker placement, however, is always to place the surround speakers on the side and directly behind the listening position. This speaker position provides the listener with the impression that something is approaching or disappearing from behind. The sixth speaker, called "rear surround", confuses the clear picture, confusing. To confuse us further, it seems, Dolby Digital/THX and DTS offer different versions of the 6.1 format. Dolby Digital and THX collaborated on a version called "EX" or "surround EX". The speaker information is matrix encoded for the surround left and right speakers. DTS, on the other hand, offers two different 6.1 versions: DTS-ES Discrete and DTS-ES Matrix.
In the ES Discrete version, certain audio information is programmed onto the DVD or Blu-ray disc rather than simply extrapolating information from the surround channels.
7.1
As often happens in the world of electronics, as soon as you are about to purchase a technical novelty, something even newer appears on the market. The same thing happened when 7.1 channel sound came along with HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs. As soon as people started to get used to 6.1 format, 7.1 surround sound format appeared.
As with the 6.1 format, 7.1 also has several different versions. They all add a second rear surround speaker. Those sound effects that went to only one surround back speaker now go to two speakers, making up a stereo sound. The information is discrete, which means that each speaker receives its own specific information.
Luckily, the Blu-ray disc's storage space allows you to store all of this information.
Dolby offers two different versions of 7.1. Dolby Digital Plus is a "lossy" version that still includes data compression and takes up less space on a Blu-ray disc. On the other hand, Dolby TrueHD does not compress data. Since no compression is applied, Dolby TrueHD is identical to studio recording.
DTS also has two versions of the 7.1 format, which differ in the same way as the Dolby versions. DTS-HD is a "lossy" compressed 7.1 format version, while DTS-Master HD is a "lossless" version.
It is important to note that 7.1 surround sound is not always present on Blu-ray discs. Movie studios don't always record in 7.1. There are other related factors as well. Chief among these is storage space. If the disc contains additional material, there may not be room for additional surround sound information on the disc.
In many cases, 5.1 can be extended to 7.1 using matrix processing in the AV receiver.
9.1: Pro Logic is back
If you've been looking at receivers in stores, you may have noticed that many offer one or more different versions of Pro Logic processing. The current Pro Logic family includes Pro Logic II, Pro Logic IIx and Pro Logic IIz. Let's take a look at what each of them does.
Pro Logic II most closely resembles its early predecessor Pro Logic in that it can produce 5.1 surround sound from a stereo source. The difference with Pro Logic II is that it provides stereo surround information. This processing mode is usually used when watching non-HD TV channels with stereo audio. Pro Logic IIx is one of those processing modes that can take 5.1 surround sound and expand it to 6.1 or 7.1.
The Pro Logic IIz allows you to add an additional two front speakers that are placed between and above the main stereo speakers. This form of matrix processing adds more depth and space to the soundtrack. Since IIz processing can work with a 7.
1 soundtrack, the resulting format can be called 9.1.
AURO 3D
The Auro-3D format, unlike competing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, is not object-oriented, but per-channel. To achieve an "enveloping sound" to the two layers of speakers - the classic and the second, located at an angle of 30 degrees to the horizon - added a third, installed directly above the listener. This third layer of acoustics was called the "voice of God" and added a third dimension to the sound - height. If in standard theatrical configurations, even in Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, the listener is surrounded by a spherical layer of sound, then in Auro-3D it is as if enveloped by a full-fledged hemisphere.
In object recording technology, each sound source is recorded separately, and in channel-by-channel sound is distributed between different channels, and then added together in columns. For example, when recording the sound of a busy roadway in an object-oriented format, it will not be possible to isolate the moving objects themselves - cars, bicycles, people - for further use, it will not be possible to obtain three-dimensional sound reflected from these objects, as well as direct.
In a channel-by-channel system, this problem is solved by simplification, and this is where the vertical component comes into play.
The third layer of loudspeakers in Auro 3D creates a "vertical stereo field" around the listener, regardless of the arrangement of acoustics in Auro 3D. By itself, the third layer does not help with localization - it helps in reproducing helicopters flying overhead, starships and weather effects.
7.2, 9.2 or 11.2
As mentioned before, ".1" in 5.1, 7.1 and other formats refers to the LFE (low frequency effects) channel in the soundtrack that is being processed by the subwoofer. ".2" simply means that the receiver has two subwoofer outputs. Both connections output the same information. As for Dolby and DTS, they only have one soundtrack for the subwoofer.
Dolby TrueHD
One of the most advanced audio formats from the Dolby lab, and followed the advent of HD video formats.
High-quality bitrate, high bit rate and sampling rate, and lossless audio coding formula made it possible to raise the quality of the audio track to the studio level. Dolby TrueHD multi-channel tracks are comparable in quality to DVD-Audio, and much better than Audio CD.
Dolby True HD is an uncompressed audio format and is highly compatible with Blu-ray players and discs. Dolby TrueHD is based on the Meridian Lossless Packing compression formula. An audio stream can carry up to 14 independent audio channels, but in fact it only works with 6 (5.1) or 8 (7.1) channels.
Dolby TrueHD is designed for audio bit depth up to 24 bits, and a sampling rate up to 192 kHz with a maximum uncompressed stream up to 63 Mbps, but despite this, up to 8 channels with 24 bits and 96 kHz, or up to 6 channels with 24 bits and 192 kHz for a maximum compressed stream of 18 Mbps
Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is the latest surround sound format, far beyond what we know about surround sound.
Unlike Dolby Digital, Atmos can handle 128 channels of audio (compared to, say, 8 channels for Dolby Digital 7.1) that can be routed to 64 speakers.
The technology represents a qualitatively new stage in the development of surround sound, both in terms of recording and listening. Dolby Atmos does not provide for the recording of a sound track per channel, but the placement of sound images in space in accordance with the sound engineer's intention. When playing such a track, the Dolby Atmos processor in real time, taking into account how many speakers are used in the system, recreates the recorded surround sound image. Thus, the sound quality will be the best regardless of whether the theater has 64 speakers or fewer, i.e. the specific composition of each system will not affect the final result.
Dolby Atmos has a total of 10 channels configured as 9.1 (traditional 7.1 plus 2 ceiling speakers) and consists of left, center, right, left surround, left surround, right surround, right surround, left ceiling speakers.
, ceiling right and subwoofer LFE. The sound engineer can define up to 118 objects that are not tied to a specific speaker or channel, but have a certain position in the surrounding sound space. When playing such a track, the Dolby Atmos processor determines where these objects are located and forms their images using all (or several of) the available speakers.
Dolby Atmos kits
DTS:X
space. In fact, sound engineers do not need to think about which speaker the sound will come from, the equipment will do it for them in real time at the user's home or in a commercial cinema. Soundtracks in DTS:X format are able to adapt to different acoustic configurations, in total the system can work with 32 speakers simultaneously. As with Atmos, in-ceiling speakers are required to achieve the maximum effect of DTS:X. Although this is an optional condition, the creators recommend not to neglect this possibility.
2.1, 5.
1, 7.1, 9.1 and more! What do the numbers on the speaker channels mean?
First number (e.g. "5" in 5.1)
Second number (e.g. "1" in 5.1)
Third number (e.g. "2" in 7.1.2)
Stereo systems: 2.0 and 2.1 -channel speakers
Stereo speaker system 2.0
2.1 Speaker system
3.1 Sound system
5.1 Surround sound system
7.1 and 7.1.2 surround sound systems
7.1 surround sound system
7.1.2 Surround sound system
7.2 Surround sound system
9.1 and 9.1.2 surround sound systems: the ultimate surround sound experience
theater system9.1.2 Home theater surround sound system
Any more?
4.1 Surround sound system
6.1 Surround sound system
10.2 Home theater surround sound system
13.
1 Home theater surround sound and more
Related questions
Output
When you set up your surround sound system, you will encounter numbers such as 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, 7.2. , 9.1 and above. Seeing them over and over again, you may wonder what they are.
What do the different speaker channels mean? When it comes to surround channels, the first number determines the number of main speakers. The second number determines the number of subwoofers, and the third number determines the number of "height" speakers.
Let's take a closer look at the different loudspeakers and what their channel structure looks like. To quickly jump to the desired sound setting, click one of the links below.
What do the numbers on the speaker channels mean?
First number (eg "5" in 5.1)
The first number of the speaker configuration determines the number of main speakers in the setup. When talking about main speakers, we mean front left, front right, center and various surround speakers.
Second number (eg "1" in 5.1)
The second number of the speaker configuration indicates the number of subwoofers in the surround sound setup. Most commonly seen is 1, which means there is one subwoofer in the setup, but occasionally you may see 2. While most surround sound systems work great with only one subwoofer, some people prefer the sound of two for their unique room and needs.
Third number (e.g. "2" in 7.1.2)
The third number of the speaker configuration indicates the number of "height" or "up-firing" speakers.
As if two numbers weren't enough, you might come across numbers like 7.1.2 or 9.1.2 when searching for a home theater. Although these numbers seem rather complicated, they simply provide an indication of the "height" of the speakers in a home theater surround sound system. Height speakers are usually located on the ceiling of a home theater room, but they can also be upward facing speakers.
Stereo systems: 2.0 and 2.1 channel speakers
Stereo 2.0 speaker system
In a 2.0 stereo system, you will have two speakers next to the TV - one on the left and one on the right. Your speakers will most likely be powered by a good receiver or even an amplifier. In some cases, the speakers are active and do not require a separate power supply. You won't have a subwoofer and the speakers will be compatible with TV, DVD and mobile devices like phones and laptops.
Stereo 2.0 is a basic non-surround stereo system that is normally used for listening to music. This is an affordable setup that can be the start of a home theater experience and helps make life easier. This will give movies and TV programs a better sound than the tiny speakers that come with TVs, so there's nothing wrong with this simple setup.
2.1 Speaker System
A 2.0 stereo sound system will give your home theater a slightly better sound than a single two speaker setup. You'll have left and right speakers on each side of the TV, and by adding one subwoofer, you'll get extra bass and depth in a home theater sound system.
Since there are no surround speakers, this setup is still fairly straightforward, but adding a subwoofer will definitely improve the sound to provide a more sophisticated experience. You'll hear bass better, and you'll enjoy home theater without the hassle of wires running all over the place.
Many soundbars have a 2.1 channel setting and this setting is commonly used for watching movies, TV and music.
3.1 Sound system
The 3.1 speaker system is a four channel sound system with three main speakers and a subwoofer. The loudspeakers will consist of the left, center and right speakers respectively, with your subwoofer placed on the floor in the center of the setup.
The optional center speaker is used for dialogue, while the left and right speakers will be used for effects, music, and other stereo sounds. The 3.1 system is still audio-only in the front and does not have surround speakers. This is a great setup for enhancing cinematic sound.
5.1 Surround sound system
The 5.1 home theater system is a true surround sound system and is one of the most common home theater configurations. You'll see this mentioned a lot when browsing home theater products, and home theaters of all shapes and sizes rely on a 5.1 surround sound system for great sound.
It has six channels including five main speakers and a subwoofer. There are three speakers at the front: left, center and right, as well as two surround speakers at the back of the room - one on the left and one on the right.
Although there are many configurations for this setup, the ideal setup is with the front left and front right speakers 22-30 degrees from the center speaker/TV and the surround speakers 90-110 degrees from the center speaker . center speaker / TV.
5.1 surround sound is the most commonly used format for surround sound playback and is used in everything from DVDs to cinemas, digital TV and more. Many laptops and desktops come with a 5.1 sound card that is compatible with this setup.
7.1 and 7.1.2 surround sound systems
7.1 surround sound system
The 7.1 surround sound system includes all the components of a 5.1-channel system and adds two more rear speakers. This is an eight-channel system that is commonly used in home theaters. In a 7.1 home theater surround sound system, adding two speakers in the rear results in an even fuller, rounder sound experience. This is because the two side surround speakers will not be responsible for either rear or surround sound.
Speaker layout for the original six channels of a 5.1 surround sound system, but ideally the two rear speakers should be positioned between 135 and 150 degrees from the center channel/TV for optimal surround sound.
7.1.2 Surround Sound System
Looking at the numbers, this configuration may seem complicated, but a 7.1.2 surround sound system simply means a 7. 1 surround sound setup with the addition of two in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers. This setup is mainly created with Dolby Atmos in-ceiling speakers, and you can learn more about Dolby Atmos 7.1.2 speaker configuration and setup here.
This surround sound system is best used on a flat drywall or stucco ceiling, and the ceiling height should not exceed 14 feet. This is a higher level home theater.
Although increasingly used in home theater applications, this technology provides a premium, realistic and immersive home theater experience by creating a sound dome in your home theater. As long as your receiver is compatible with Dolby Atmos, you can get this configuration.
7.2 Surround Sound System
The 7.2 home theater surround sound system is becoming an increasingly used surround speaker layout and more receivers are beginning to support this configuration. It has all the elements of a 7.1 surround sound system, but you add another subwoofer. For the receiver to support this configuration, it must have two subwoofer outputs.
While some people are happy with just one subwoofer, others use the 7.2 setting to balance the bass in their home theater. Instead of loud or soft bass in different parts of the room, the bass is distributed evenly, and no matter where you sit, you get the same bass.
If you love bass and want to purchase an optional subwoofer (more on the different types in our guide), a 7.2 home theater surround sound system is a great choice for you. Be careful, too much bass can annoy your neighbors.
9.1 and 9.1.2 surround sound systems: an unforgettable experience
9.1 Home cinema surround sound system
Version 9.1. The home theater surround sound system is a ten-channel surround sound system that includes nine speakers and a subwoofer. In addition to the components included in the 7.1 surround sound home theater system, 9 surround soundThe .1 also includes two front height speakers. Front height speakers are placed at the front of the room, directly above the left and right main speakers. For optimal sound, they should be about three feet above the left and right front speakers and point straight at the listener.
This is a very high end home theater surround system and is not as typical as 7.1, 5.1 or below. This is used by dedicated home theater gurus, but it can also be achieved by gradually adding components to a home theater system.
This is best done with the help of a consultant or expert, as there are many components and specifications that need to be considered in order to properly set up this type of system.
9.1.2 Home theater surround system
A 9.1.2 home theater surround system has a slightly different setup than a 9.1 home theater system. Although you might think just adding two in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers to a 9 surround sound setup.1, you will actually have two wide front speakers instead of two top speakers in addition to the two. in-ceiling or upward-firing speakers.
Common components include left and right front speaker, center speaker, subwoofer, left and right front wide speaker, left and right surround speaker, left and right rear speaker, and left and right overhead speakers. speaker.
Learn more about Dolby Atmos 9.1.2 speaker placement. This setup also creates the immersive, high quality dome sound that the 7.1.2 had, but adds an extra layer of sound with the left and right front wide speakers.
Any more?
While you might think that the settings we've reviewed are sufficient to meet the demands of any home theater, there are definitely more options available for home theaters, so if you haven't found the perfect setting for you, don't worry. Here are a few more ways to set up your home theater speaker system.
4.1 Surround Sound System
4.1 Home Theater Surround Sound System is another commonly used configuration that includes front left, front right, rear left and rear right speakers with one subwoofer. This is a five-channel setup that does not include a typical center channel speaker.
6.1 Surround sound system
The 6.1 home theater surround sound configuration is the same as the 5.1 surround sound system, but includes an additional speaker. This additional speaker will be located at the center back of your home theater, helping to add another dimension without having to resort to a full 7.1 surround sound setup. It creates a more realistic sound experience and makes your home theater sound wider and fuller with just one add-on.
Instead of investing in two rear speakers, start with one and get great value for your money. Some people start with one and end up adding another to get to a 7.1 setup, but others find adding a single rear speaker unnecessary.
10.2 Home Theater Surround Sound System
The 10.2 Home Theater Surround Sound System was designed by THX creator Tomlinson Holman with the slogan "Twice as good as 5.1". The configuration includes seven front channels: left and right wide speakers, left and right height speakers, left and right front speakers, and center front speaker. There are three surround speakers including one left, one rear and one right, as well as two subwoofers.
This surround sound system is by no means a typical setup for the average home theater system, but some products are currently sold with this configuration. Only the most dedicated home theater gurus will aspire to a 10.2 home theater surround sound system.
13.1 Home theater surround sound and more
Dolby Digital Plus supports up to 13.1 surround sound systems, and there are many other surround sound configurations such as 12.2, 22.2 and more. While these surround sound settings are exciting and complex, they are rarely found in a typical home theater setup. However, they are fun to explore and study and there is nothing wrong with dreaming about the possibilities!
Related questions
Are there home theater surround sound systems with an even number of speakers? If you're looking for an even number of speakers for your home theater surround sound system, you'll need a 2.
