Plasma Productions

Summary

The concept of digital surround sound, as the name suggests, involves recording multiple, discrete sound channels on, for example, the soundtrack of a film, and reproducing those channels on multiple loudspeakers, situated around the listening space. By strategically positioning loudspeakers to the front, rear, and sides of the listening position, the listener is immersed in, or “surrounded” by, sound, resulting in a realistic listening experience that cannot be provided even by the largest, most expensive, stereo HiFi speakers.

Surround Sound Speakers

Speakers and surround sound systems are available in a number of different configurations. “5.1 channel” digital surround sound – in the form of “Dolby Digital” – is the industry standard for DVD, and HDTV broadcasts, and many surround sound systems, therefore, feature a corresponding speaker configuration, of five main loudspeakers, plus a separate “subwoofer”, for low frequency, bass effects.

Speakers are arranged as front centre, front left and right, and rear left and right. The front centre speaker reproduces the dialogue from a film soundtrack, and should therefore be located, ideally, close to the TV screen, roughly at ear height, to a seated listener. Front and rear speakers can be free standing towers, or so-called “bookshelf”, or “satellite”, speakers, which can be mounted on shelves, furniture or walls. The low frequency effects reproduced by a subwoofer are difficult to detect, in terms of the direction of the sound, and a subwoofer is often placed in a corner of a listening space.

The other essential component of a home theatre, or entertainment system, of course, is an AV (“Audio Visual” receiver, which decodes the incoming sound signals, amplifies each channel, and directs it to its own, dedicated loudspeaker. AV receivers also generally include an AM/FM tuner, and many, nowadays, incorporate a DVD player, saving space, and simplifying configuration, by reducing the number of cables required, compared to separate components.

Conclusion

Q Acoustics 1010 speakers, for example, are “ultra compact” bookshelf speakers, with cabinet dimensions of 215 x 195 x 150 mm, and a weight of 2.8kg. The speakers offer a sensitivity of 86dB, and employ a 25mm micro polyester weave tweeter, and a 100mm bespoke fibre cone, to deliver clear and precise high frequencies, and “punchy” mid-range, and bass, frequencies. They are available in black, beech or cherry finishes, and suitable for stand, or wall, mounting.