The Best Multi-Channel Home Theater Systems (Top Theatre Speakers)

What are Multi-Channel Home Theater Systems? Many people, particularly families, are becoming obsessed with entertainment.

Home theaters are the ideal place to unwind and enjoy the best type of entertainment. People no longer go to discos to have a good time or to football stadiums to watch a game.

What Is Multi-Channel Home Theater?
What Is Multi-Channel Home Theater?

Top 3 Multi Channel Home Theater Picks


Technology has brought entertainment into people’s homes, and the best home theater system allows you to create lasting memories in the comfort of your own home. Have you considered purchasing a home theater?

There are numerous types of home theaters, each of which differs in some way. We’ll look at multi-channel home theaters in this article. These multi-channel sound systems can handle multiple audio channels with great sound effects that will keep you enthralled while watching your favorite movie or listening to your favorite music.

 

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Alternative Video: What Is Multi Channel Home Theater?

Here is a video to explain 5.1, 7.2 Surround sound systems.

What Is Multi Channel Home Theater?

BASIC TERMINOLOGY for Multi Channel Home Theater Systems

Before we dig deeper into the magical world of home theater systems, you need to become familiar with some basic terms related to sound reproduction, speaker systems, and sound formats. 

Multi Channel Home Theater Systems
Multi Channel Home Theater Systems

8 TERMS TO KNOW FOR MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEM BASIC SETUP

If you’re trying to achieve the best movie-watching experience, a multi-channel home theater system is your solution. It is a system made of multiple speakers (and subwoofers) located around the listener (sometimes even above the listener).

1. STEREO SOUND

Stereo sound (also known as two-channel audio) is the most popular and widely used type of audio. It is still used in both music and film. Stereo sound has two channels – left and right. A good two-channel audio recording should produce a 3D multidimensional audible perspective.

In other words, even two-channel audio is supposed to give the impression that sound is coming from different directions, but this rarely occurs. At best, you can feel the depth and width of the soundstage, but you won’t be able to experience the surround effect. It’s rare that you feel like you’re in the thick of things. That is why surround sound exists.

2. SURROUND SOUND

Surround sound (or multi-channel audio) is a technique that uses multiple speakers (audio channels) to surround the listener to enrich, depthen, and make sound reproduction more lifelike. With this channel configuration, you can hear sounds coming from all directions.

It’s designed to put you in the middle of the action. With surround sound speakers, you are much more involved than a passive listener. You’re practically a part of it.

3. STEREO SYSTEM

STEREO SYSTEM Setup
STEREO SYSTEM Setup

A stereo system (also known as a speaker system) is made up of two speakers – left and right. This system is intended to play back stereo recordings. Most televisions also include two small speakers that can reproduce sound in stereo. To improve it, a subwoofer (or an LFE channel) can be added to an existing 2.0 (left/right speaker) stereo system.

That way, you can improve the reproduction of low-frequency tones while also improving overall sound quality. Stereo speaker systems are ideal for listening to music as well as watching movies.

Having a stereo system for movies is unquestionably superior to using your TV speakers – even low-cost speaker systems (such as those offered by Edifier) will deliver louder, clearer, more detailed sound with better balance and a wider soundstage.

Active or passive stereo speakers are available. Active speakers have internal amplification and do not require any additional power supply equipment. Simply connect them to your television (or another audio source), plug them in, and you’re ready to go.

Passive speakers require at least one additional piece of equipment. They require an integrated amplifier because they lack built-in amplification and have no analog or digital connections (only speaker wire). All audio sources (TV, Blu-Ray player, DVD player, and so on) are linked to the integrated amplifier.

The integrated amplifier processes all of the sound, amplifies it, and sends it to passive speakers. You can use separate units – a preamp and a power amp – instead of a single device. In this case, the preamp is used to connect sources and process sound, while a power amp (also known as a stereo amp) is used for amplification.

If the preamp lacks digital inputs, a DAC is required to connect digital sources (the entire audio chain is as follows: Audio Source – DAC – Preamp – Power Amp – Speakers).

Audiophiles will argue that you should use separate units for the best sound, but it all depends on your taste, preferences, available space, and of course, your budget. 

4. SOUNDBAR

A soundbar is an excellent substitute for a stereo system. Soundbars can be simple or complex, with two, three, or multiple channels (multiple built-in speakers grouped in three, five, or more channels). Some soundbars can even simulate height effects and reproduce different surround sound formats.

All soundbars have one thing in common: they are small, slim, and simple to install and set up. They can be a good option for relatively small rooms or when dealing with space constraints.

Most audiophiles would argue that a high-end soundbar will never be able to compete with a pair of high-end speakers (especially when combined with a good subwoofer). Regardless, even a low-cost soundbar will sound far superior to your TV. So, if you don’t have a lot of space but still want to improve your sound, a soundbar is a viable option.

5. Audio Video (AV) Receiver

In addition to the speakers, home theater systems include an AVR (audio-video receiver), which serves as the system’s control unit. The unit is also known as an AV preamp or an AV power amp because it is in charge of processing audio files and powering all of the speaker units.

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The sort of AVR you want is determined on the home theater system you are constructing. The speaker wattages and required amplification power, as well as certain other features, must be considered.

If you want to build a large home theater system, the price of an AVR can skyrocket.

6. Streaming Platforms (Source)

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Streaming Service Support of Theater Sound Systems @Yamaha

To operate a multi-channel home theater system, you will need a source that supports the right surround sound format for your sound system. I’m referring to the medium through which the video is viewed, such as a Blu-ray disc or an internet streaming platform.

Many internet streaming providers, including Netflix, Apple TV, Disney, and Amazon Prime, now offer multi-channel audio recordings. While practically all blu-ray discs provide 5.1 surround sound, most also support numerous multi-channel audio formats currently.

7. Display Device

To utilize your home theater system to watch movies, series, or any video, you must have a display device. The display device can be a television; it might also be a projector.

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8. SPEAKERS – MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEM

A home theater system should have at least five speakers: front left and right channel, center channel, and surround left and right. To improve bass reproduction, most people add a subwoofer (LFE channel) to this 5-speaker setup. This speaker configuration is known as 5.1 (5 speakers, 1 subwoofer) and is the most common.

Speaker Multi Channel Home Theater
Speaker Multi Channel Home Theater

Instead of many speakers, some systems use a soundbar. Soundbars, which are situated adjacent to the display, have numerous channels that offer stereo, multi-channel audio.

This is why they are referred to as 5.1 systems (5 speakers and 1 subwoofer). Users like the 3.1 and 7.1 systems. The 3.1 systems lack surround speakers and instead include left, right, and center speakers. 7.1 systems, on the other hand, have an additional pair of surround speakers, which are normally placed at the rear of the audience.

While the most popular systems are 3.1, 5.1, and 7.1, the layout can be changed as desired. There are numerous layouts available, including 6.1, 9.1, 5.2, and 7.2, to name a few.

TYPES OF MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

Multi-channel sound systems can be classified based on a variety of factors, the most frequent of which is the number of speakers in the system. The number preceding the decimal represents the number of satellite units in the system, while the number after the decimal represents the amount of subwoofer for bass response.

2.0 Theatre Stereo System

2.0  Theater StereoSystem Drawing and Setup
2.0 System Drawing and Setup

The 2.0 stereo system is the simplest basic multi-channel home theater system, with two sound channels provided by a right and left speaker or a soundbar. They are installed near the display panel and are powered by a receiver or an amplifier.

These systems only provide stereo sound and do not support subwoofers. They are mostly used to marginally improve audio and are a better and easier-to-install alternative to television’s default speakers.

2.1 Theatre Stereo System

2.1 Theatre Stereo System Drawing and Setup
2.1 Theatre Stereo System Drawing and Setup

The 2.1 stereo system is an improved version of the 2.0 stereo system that includes an additional subwoofer for improved bass reproduction. While these systems are unable to provide surround sound due to a lack of surround speakers, they do provide superb sound with deeper frequencies for movies.

3.1 Multi-Channel Home Theater System

3.1 Multi-Channel Home Theater System Drawing and Setup
3.1 Multi-Channel Home Theater System Drawing and Setup

3.1 multi-channel surround sound systems include a right, left, and center channel, as well as a subwoofer for deeper frequencies. With three channels, audio from music or movies begins to come to life. The speakers are located on the right and left sides, with the center speaker in front of the display screen.

The right and left channels offer direction, while the center channel is in charge of vocals and discourse. The side speakers should be placed at a 30-degree angle to the center speaker. These systems frequently include virtual surround sound system technologies to simulate 5.1 surround sound systems.

5.1 home theatre system Setup

The most common setup is a 5.1 home theatre system layout

5.1 home theatre system layout
5.1 home theatre system layout

A multi-channel home theater system can be significantly larger. You can expand the system by adding more speakers or even more subwoofers.

For example, you could add one subwoofer to your 5.1 system to make it 5.2. Alternatively, you can create a 7.2 system by adding two speakers behind you (SURROUND BACK/REAR LEFT AND RIGHT).

5.2.2 home theater Sytems Setup

5 speakers around you, two subwoofers, and two speakers above you

5.2.2 home theater Sytems Setup with 2 extra Subwoofers
5.2.2 home theater Sytems Setup with 2 extra Subwoofers

If drilling holes in your walls or cutting the ceiling is not an option but you still want to experience height effects, you can try Dolby-enabled speakers (aka Dolby speaker modules). Dolby-enabled speakers are small up-firing speakers that you place on top of your existing speakers (FL/FR and/or SL/SR).

They direct the sound to the ceiling. The sound then reflects off the ceiling and comes to you from above your head. They achieve height effects in this manner.

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The issue with Dolby-enabled speakers is that you must calculate the angles and find the best location for them. Even if you find the ideal position, the effect will never be the same as that produced by real height speakers.

6.1 Multi Channel Home Theatre System

6.1 Multi Channel Home Theatre System Setup and Drawing
6.1 Theatre System Setup and Drawing

The 6.1 multi channel home theatre systems can be expanded from a 5.1 sound system setup. They include an additional surround back speaker in the rear center. In comparison to 5.1 systems, 6.1 home theater systems feature superior sound projection with more precise and defined sound effects.

The speaker layout is quite similar to that of the 5.1 home theater system, with one minor change. This time, the right and left speakers form a 30-degree angle to the central speaker, while the surrounding left and right speakers form a 90-degree angle to the center.

The surround rear speaker is situated between the surround left and right speakers in the center of the backside.

7.1 home theatre system Setup

7.1 home theatre system Setup and Drawing
7.1 home theatre system Setup and Drawing

You can even install one directly behind you and two between the front and surround speakers (one between FL and SL, and the other between FR and SR). And that’s only one dimension – all of these speakers are on the same plane (at your ear level).

  • You can build a massive home theater system and truly create an unforgettable experience if you have enough money, space, and nerves.

In addition to adding speakers around you, you can also place them above you to create a hyper-realistic 3D soundstage. Above your listening position, you can add one, two, four, or even six height channels. You can install them in the ceiling or on the walls and direct them toward your listening position.

10.2 Home Theater System with Multiple Channels

10.2 Home Theater System Setup and Drawing
10.2 Home Theater System Setup and Drawing

The 10.2 multi-channel home theater systems are among the most advanced combinations. It has seven front channels, including left-right side, ceiling, and center speakers, three surround channels, including left, right, and back surround speakers, and two LFE channels for bass reproduction, in addition to double subwoofers.

10.2 Theatre System
10.2 Theatre System

10.2 is a rare configuration, yet it is rated twice as good as 5.1 systems. It was developed by THX engineers and is utilized in high-end movie theaters.

Two-point surround channels can be added to the LS (left surround) and RS (right surround) channels to create a 12.2 configuration, allowing for a separate 360° circular sound around the audience.

PARTS OF A MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEM

We’ve only talked about the speakers so far. They are an essential component of any home theater system, but they are insufficient. Aside from the speakers, you’ll need a source that supports the appropriate surround sound format for your speaker system. It’s pointless to have a 5.1 system if the source only supports stereo output.

Fortunately, the majority of today’s Blu-ray discs and online streaming platforms support at least 5.1 surround sound (usually Dolby Digital 5.1 and Dolby Digital Plus). Many Blu-ray discs now include multiple multi-channel audio recordings, including those with height effects (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X).

Dolby Atmos is also supported by some streaming platforms (Netflix for Premium users, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney +, Vudu). Aside from the source, you’ll also need a device that can process all of those audio tracks and power all of the speakers in your system. This device is known as AVR (AV Receiver).

Depending on the size of your home theater system, you will require a more or less capable receiver. You must also consider speaker wattages, required amplification, and a variety of other features. You can find an affordable receiver for $500 or less for a small and less demanding home theater system.

If you’re building a larger system, such as one with height channels, you’ll almost certainly need a higher-end AVR. Some audiophiles prefer having separate components not just for music, but also for movies.

If that’s your preference, you may want to try using two units – surround sound processor and surround sound amplifier. It’s basically the same thing as using a preamp and power amp for your stereo system.

To summarize, in order to deliver surround sound, you’ll need a source (or sources) that support surround sound, an AVR (or AV preamp and AV power amp) capable of delivering sound to all channels in your system, and speakers. It goes without saying that all of the interconnects and speaker wire are also required. Of course, you’ll need a television or a projector.

WIRED vs WIRELESS MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEMS

Home theater systems can be classified in a variety of ways. First and foremost, you can distinguish between wired and wireless home theater systems. The most noticeable difference between the two is the lack of speaker wire and AVR.

This makes wireless systems more convenient, but keep in mind that they are never entirely wireless (the speakers still have to be plugged in). In addition, when comparing the sound output of similar-priced wired and wireless systems, you will notice that the wired system usually provides slightly better performance.

Furthermore, you can make a difference between HTiBs and custom-made home theater systems. HTiBs are intended for those who do not want to spend time searching for the perfect match. You will receive all of the speakers as well as a matching AVR in a single box, and all you will need to do is connect everything.

In some cases, you will also receive all of the necessary wiring as well as a Blu-ray player. HTiBs are typically inexpensive, and their performance is commensurate with their cost. You will have to make it on your own if you want to achieve high-end performance.

You’ll need to look for the speakers you want, followed by the appropriate AVR for those speakers. This option is more expensive and takes much more time, but it produces better results.

True surround sound systems and virtual surround sound systems

There is also a distinction to be made between true surround sound systems and virtual surround sound systems. True surround sound systems include a speaker for each channel. Almost all wired systems provide true surround sound

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Wireless systems, on the other hand, are frequently capable of delivering virtual surround with two sound channels or more. This means that you won’t get a speaker for each channel. Wireless systems are frequently comprised of only a soundbar and a subwoofer.

The soundbar can take the place of three front channels (FRONT channel, LEFT/RIGHT channel, and CENTER channel) as well as some other channels. Some soundbars, for example, may include two side-firing speakers designed to simulate surround sound effects. Some even have upward-firing speakers to simulate the effects of height.

As a result, a combination of a soundbar and a wireless subwoofer can theoretically be classified as a 5.1 or even 7.1 wireless system.

In some cases, you will get a soundbar, wireless SUB, and two wireless satellite speakers. In these cases, soundbars replace just the front three channels. Wireless systems rarely have a dedicated speaker for each channel, but even that is possible (Enclave Audio, for example). 

SURROUND SOUND FORMATS

Some surround sound audio formats, such as Dolby Digital 5.1, DD+, and Dolby Atmos, have already been mentioned. To enjoy surround sound, the media you’re using (for example, a Blu-ray disc) must have one or more surround sound audio tracks stored on it.

Blu-ray discs frequently support two or three required surround sound formats (LPCM, Dolby Digital 5.1, or DTS 5.1). Blu-ray discs may also include one or more optional formats (DD+, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, DTS HD Master Audio, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X) in addition to the mandatory formats.

Different surround sound formats support varying numbers of channels, so if you have a large multi-channel home theater system (something larger than 5.1 or 5.2) and want the best possible experience, you should look into what optional surround sound formats are supported.

If you have height channels and want to experience object-based surround sound, for example, you’ll need media that supports Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. You’ll also need an AV receiver that supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, of course.

Multi-Channel Home Theater Guide
Multi-Channel Home Theater Guide

HOW BIG SHOULD YOUR MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER SYSTEM BE?

That is dependent on a number of factors. The most important ones are the size of your room, the purpose of the room, and your personal preferences. If you have a small or medium-sized room with your TV about 10 feet away from the couch and don’t have a lot of free space behind the couch, 5.1 or 5.2 would be an ideal speaker configuration.

You can also build a 5.1.2/5.2.2 system by installing two height channels. Larger rooms may require a larger system or maybe just larger speakers. For smaller rooms, you can use bookshelf speakers as your FL and FR channels.

For bigger rooms, using large floorstanding speakers is a much better idea. Your room’s main purpose also plays an important part. If the room you want to install your home theater in is your living room, then adding too many speakers can make it look messy and overcrowded.

You’re not going to use that room solely for watching movies, so installing a small home theater system is probably a better option. If you’re creating a dedicated home theater or entertainment room, you can install as many speakers as you want (or as many as your AV receiver supports).

You can build a massive 9.2.4 system or something even larger. You can use height channels or Dolby-enabled speakers, have more than two subwoofers, and so on.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HAVING A MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER?

All of the benefits of owning a home theater system can be summed up in a single syntagma: improved performance and a more immersive movie-watching experience. That is the purpose of a home theater system. That is why people buy it and enjoy it.

The performance of a high-quality surround sound speaker system is incomparable to that of the two tiny speakers inside your TV or a pair of bookshelf speakers. Alternatively, a soundbar that simulates surround sound can be used. Your watching/listening experience will be elevated to a whole new level with a home theater.

WHAT ARE THE DOWNSIDES OF HAVING A MULTI-CHANNEL HOME THEATER?

The main issue with home theater systems is that such performance enhancement comes at a cost, and that cost can be quite high. Even a low-cost home theater system with a matching AVR and all the necessary accessories can cost more than $1000.

If you want a high-end system, the cost can easily exceed $10,000 (and even $100,000). Building a multi-channel home theater is a significant investment that necessitates careful thought and planning.

CONCLUSION What Is Multi Channel Home Theater

A home theater system is a must-have in our opinion. It is an expensive investment, the installation is complicated and time-consuming (or money-consuming if professional installation is chosen), but the end results will astound you.

You can’t even imagine how much better things can get. Surround sound completely transforms the way you watch movies.

What Does Home Theater Channel Means?
What Does Home Theater Channel Means?

FAQs About Home Theater System

What is multi-channel home Theatre?

If you want to have the best movie-watching experience possible, a multi-channel home theater system is the way to go. It is a system comprised of multiple speakers (and subwoofers) strategically placed around the listener (sometimes even above the listener).

What is the definition of multi-channel surround sound?

Multichannel Audio / Surround Sound Surround sound, also known as multichannel audio, is produced by placing multiple independent audio channels and speakers in front and behind the listener. The goal is to surround the listener with audio from DVD music discs, DVD movies, and some CDs.

What is a multi-channel speaker?

The term “multi-channel” simply refers to stereo audio, which provides higher fidelity sound on channels that have a left and right speaker. The audio system’s multiple channels allow it to recreate different sounds at different frequencies, resulting in a multi-directional audio perspective.

Barry Moroney

Hi, Barry here. I'm a tech writer and blogger. I write about the latest technology, gadgets, and software. I also provide the best how-to and guides on the latest sound systems. I'm always excited to share my knowledge with others!

 

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