How to get Surround Sound

Getting surround sound in your home is easy. You will need either a separate home cinema amplifier, or a DVD or Blu-ray player that will allow speakers to be plugged in to it, an all-in-one system or additional speakers from your television.

There are many technologies that are available and you may have heard terms such as ‘5.1′, ‘DTS‘, and ‘Dolby Digital‘ being mentioned in the same breath as surround sound. The process can become detailed and involved the more you research it and strive for the best quality you can.

Just Starting out?

There are many decent ‘all-in-one systems‘ available, and can be obtained from as little £99 for something respectable. Increasing your budget by a few hundred pounds generally gives you the potential to get a system that is superior, and better value for money.

Want the Best?

If you want the best, be prepared to pay serious cash, and invest large amounts of time. Amplifiers alone can cost into the thousands, and thats before you start on the DVD players, speakers, and getting the room acoustics right. Like most things there is a ‘diminishing return’ when you get to a certain point, and you can spend many hundreds of pounds to get only small increases in sound quality. In general, you should be able to spend around the £1200 mark and get a very, very good system if you’re careful what you buy.

Is surround sound worth getting?

In a word – definitely. A Saturday night movie is ten times more enjoyable when you are surrounded by sound, and you will find yourself watching more movies, especially the ones with the juicy soundtracks!

Next Steps

If you are just starting out, try and listen to a few systems at friends houses – and don’t be let people put you off the ‘all-in-one systems‘ – many of them are really very good. Pay attention to the size of the speakers and if you like the look of them – don’t forget they will be dotted around your lounge!

If you feel an all-in-one system is not for you, then separates are the way to go. You will need a decent DVD or Blu-ray player, a Home Cinema amplifier/receiver and at least 5 speakers.

In a nutshell, all-in-one systems are generally better looker, and smaller. Separates systems are bigger and slightly less attractive, but generally far superior.

For more information read our:

• Home Cinema System Buyers Guide
• Home Cinema Amplifiers Buyers Guide
• All In One systems Reviews
• Home Cinema Amplifiers Reviews.