Surround sound is a term used mainly in conjunction with a home theater system, where sound has been digitally processed and sent to multi channels, giving you the effect of being enveloped by sound.

In order to experience surround sound, you must have a few components including a home theater receiver that includes digital signal surround sound processing, surround sound speakers and media that is encoded with surround sound data. Usually the media that have surround sound data are DVD movies.

Surround Sound Receivers

A surround sound receiver is the brains of a home theater system and also is the component that digitally processes surround sound data and sends it to surround sound speakers where the sound is reproduced. Surround Sound Receivers usually can decode certain types of surround sound formats. There are currently over 6 different surround sound formats that movies, TV shows and other types of media are encoded in.Surround Sound

Here is a partial list of the most popular types of Surround sound formats. They include Dolby Digital, DTS, Dolby Digital EX, THX Surround EX and DTS ES.

Dolby Digital

Dolby Digital is the surround sound format used by practically all standard DVD's and some HDTV broadcasts. This format provides digital signal processing to the following channels: 5.1 (front right and front left speakers, center channel speaker, 2 surround sound speakers [sometimes called rear channel speakers] and one subwoofer.

DTS

DTS is a surround sound format used by certain DVD's and some high quality CD's. This format provides digital signal processing to the following channels: 5.1 (front right and front left speakers, center channel speaker, 2 surround sound speakers [sometimes called rear channel speakers] and one subwoofer.

Dolby Digital EX

Dolby Digital EX is a surround sound format that can be used with special high quality DVD's and is also able to decode standard DVD's with Dolby Digital as well. This format provides digital signal processing to the following channels: 6.1 (front right and front left speakers, center channel speaker, 1 surround left and 1 surround right speaker, 1 set of matrix surround sound speakers [sometimes called rear channel speakers] and one subwoofer.

THX Surround EX

THX Surround EX is a surround sound format that can be used with practically any Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, DTS or EX source. This format provides digital signal processing to the following channels: 6.1 (front right and front left speakers, center channel speaker, 1 surround left and 1 surround right speaker, 1 set of matrix surround sound speakers [sometimes called rear channel speakers] and one subwoofer.

DTS -ES

DTS – ES is a surround sound format that can be used with practically any Dolby Digital, Pro Logic, DTS or EX source as well with certain DVD's encoded with DTS – ES. This format provides digital signal processing to the following channels: 6.1 (front right and front left speakers, center channel speaker, 1 surround left and 1 surround right speaker, 1 set of matrix surround sound speakers [sometimes called rear channel speakers] and one subwoofer.

Surround Sound Speakers

Now that you have a home theater receiver that is able to process digital signals and send them to the proper speakers, you need a decent set of surround sound speakers. Surround speakers come in a few varieties. They include front right and left speakers, a center channel speaker, surround speakers (sometimes referred to as rear channel speakers), and a subwoofer.

Front Right and Front Left Speakers

These speakers are usually the most important speakers in your surround sound set up. Most of the music or sound will come from these two speakers. Most home theater systems make sure that these speakers are of high quality, are powerful and can perform. These speakers are also used when you are listening to a CD or media where there are no surround signals available.

Center Channel Speker

The center channel speaker is a small speaker that either sits underneath or above the TV set. It brings the dialogue happening on the TV or movie front and center. These speakers usually handle mid range frequencies and are magnetically shielded so that they won't harm or interfere with your TV set.

Surround Sound Speakers (sometimes referred to as rear channel speakers)

Surround sound speakers are used behind the individual, one left and one right to envelop the individual in sound. In a 5.1 surround sound set up, these speakers usually are located behind the persons head, in a 6.1 set up, there are in total 4 surround sound speakers. 2 of these speakers go behind the individual and 2 speakers go on either side of the individual. They are usually placed in the line of sight with the individuals ears.

Subwoofer

Subwoofers are an important part to any surround sound system. They produce extremely low frequencies which can be enjoyable when watching an action movie with lots of explosion or listening to music with lots of percussion. Subwoofers deliver deep bass. They are omni directional and can be placed anywhere in the room.

Surround sound is a great way to get into a movie or TV broadcast. Surround sound envelopes you to feel part of a movie instead of just a viewer. If you are building a home theater system, it is important to implement a quality surround sound system in place.