So you wish to get a new surround sound system and the adverts tell you you need a 7.1 system. Before we you look at if you want a 7.1 system, lets learn what it really is.

7.1 surround sound configuration is one where there are 7 audio channels (Left Front, Left, Centre, Right, Right Front, Left Surround and Right Surround) and one subwoofer(LFE). (An audio channel is a separate stream of audio information)

7.1 is usually only helpful with programme material that carries the full 8 channels. Examples of this are the HD version of DTS and Digital Tue HD.

Let return to the original query, do you actually need 7.1 surround sound. This answer is really based upon what material you watch. To appreciate 7.1 surround sound you have to have 7 speakers and subwoofer configured to fit your room. You also have to have materials, that are mixed to 7.1 channels. Currently, lots of film soundtracks are mixed in 5.1 channels (that is the recording has been made for a 5.1 configuration). Nevertheless there’s a rising number of films that are blended with 7.1 channels. In fact, nearly all new movies are being released with a 7.1 version available.

If you have blu-ray player it’s going to decode the HD audio, instantly decode 7.1 sound for you so your receiver doesn’t have to do any decoding to do. Any receiver which has 7.1 will be able to player your sound completely. It’s worth remembering this when purchasing a receiver and blu- ray player together.

So to reply to the first query Do I actually need 7.1 surround sound? If you’d like wonderfully clear sound coming at you from all angles and you’ve got many movies DVD titles which have been mixed with 7.1 sound, your sole choice is 7.1 surround sound.

To discover more on surround sound and their receivers and an awesome jargon buster check out http://surround-sound-receiver.com.

Regardless of whether you’re stuck in an abode with no room, or you’re simply too lazy preoccupied to run eight miles of cabling to six separates in your home cinema room, soundbars are definitely a preferred alternative to in-home surround home here at Engadget HQ. Harman Kardon’s got a new option in the mix, with the classy SB 16 offering two-way, dual-driver, left and right soundbar speaker channels, each with two 3-inch midrange drivers and a 3/4-inch dome tweeter. 9.99 also gets you a wireless 100-watt ported subwoofer, while the soundbar itself gets pushed by a 25-watt x 2 amp. Head on past the break for the full release, and feel free to grab one prior to hosting your Super Bowl party. You are hosting one, right?

Continue reading Harman Kardon’s SB 16 soundbar ships with a subwoofer, 0 price tag

Harman Kardon’s SB 16 soundbar ships with a subwoofer, 0 price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 03:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  Harman Kardon  | Email this | Comments
Engadget

Logitech Speaker System Z523 with Subwoofer

• Room-Filling Logitech 360-degree sound for an immersive music, movie and game experience
• Down-firing subwoofer with 6.5-in pressure driver delivers ultra-deep bass without distortion
• Quick-connect inputs let you easily plug in your DVD player, game console, iPod and headphones
• 40 watts (RMS) of power for big, rich, detailed sound
• Convenient on-speaker controls put volume adjustment at your fingertips

Connect your 40-watt (RMS) Logitech“ Speaker System Z523, and rediscover the art of listening. Speakers with 360-degree sound help project audio evenly in all directions, so you get a great listening experience throughout the room. A down-firing subwoofer with 6.5-inch pressure driver delivers deep lows for rich bass you can feel. Includes a dual RCA jack and an auxiliary input.

Rating: (out of 89 reviews)

List Price: $ 99.99

Price: $ 75.99

Monster Standard THX-Certified Subwoofer Interconnect Cable (16 Ft)

• Separate protective shield for maximum rejection of RFI and EMI.
• 24k gold contacts for optimum signal transfer and corrosion resistance.
• Dual-balanced conductors for more lifelike sonic reproduction.
• Meets minimum THX® certification standards for proper system performance, reliability and ease of installation.
• Easy to identify color-coded bands for simple, error-free hookup.

Home Theatre Picture and Sound Keeps Getting Better DVD and Satellite Recievers use high preformance connections like S-Video, Component Video, and Dolby Digital Surround Audio. Using high quality connections is more important than ever, to get the most out of these technologies. That’s why THX, the industry leader in sound quality certification for movie theatres (you’ve probably seen the famous THX logo in movie theatres and on DVDs), collaborated together with Monster Cable, to create connection standards sepcifically for home theatre. Today’s Home Theatre Components Need Higher Quality Connections The cables that come in the box don’t meet Monster THX standards. Some of the connections you need don’t even come in the box, including S-Video, Component Video, and Digital Audio for Surround Sound. Introducing the Monster Standard Line of Monster THX-Certified Cables Although Monster Standard THX cable doesn’t feature many of the advanced technologies found in our higher pr

Rating: (out of 34 reviews)

List Price: $ 19.95

Price: Too low to display

More Products

JBL Creature III Self-Powered Multimedia satellite and subwoofer system

• Powered satellite speakers and subwoofer
• Touch-volume and mute controls on satellite
• Bass and treble control on satellite
• Subwoofer (W x H): 9″ x 9″ (230mm x 230mm)
• Satellite (W x H): 3″ x 3″ (75mm x 75mm)

Take us to your computer! This digitally powered 25-watt system is the perfect solution for music, gaming THE JBL Creature III powered 2.1 speaker system. This digitally powered 25-watt system is the perfect solution for music, gaming, and voice applications when easily connected to your Mac or PC.

Rating: (out of 12 reviews)

List Price: $ 129.95

Price: $ 97.00

Eagle Tech ET-AR504LR-BK 2.1 Soundstage Speakers with Subwoofer & Remote

• Full spectrum sound (20Hz to 20kHz) and low harmonic distortion (< =1%THD)
• Stiff and light cones with solid wood enclosures for precise vibrations
• Subwoofer-mounted LCD display with digital equalizer and AUX input jack
• Satellite measures 4.33 x 9.65 x 4.77 Inches, subwoofer measures 6.77 x 11.03 x 10.25 Inches
• Package contains two satellite speakers, one subwoofer, user manual, 3.5mm to RCA audio cable and remote control with battery

Quality matters! Stiff and light cone materials, precision shaped wooden enclosure and raised crossover points of the midrange and tweeter assemblies, make these speakers very efficient at vibrating air. Highly accurate sound reproduction gives you great imaging and soundstage of the music that is nothing short of clear and natural – even at high decibels! Each satellite features dual 3-Inch midrange and 1-Inch tweeter drivers with solid wood enclosure. Subwoofer features 5.25-Inch driver, solid wood enclosure, LCD display, digital equalizer and AUX input jack. Wireless remote included.

Rating: (out of 124 reviews)

List Price: $ 49.99

Price: $ 49.99

Related Products