Technology has always surprised people and in the last few centuries, a little more. The virtual images and sound system have changed the way of experiencing things thoroughly.
Innovations keep happening to bring more advanced technology every year. 5.1 and 7.2 are a type of surround sound that brings a remarkable change in listening to the audio.
Key Takeaways
- 5.1 surround sound uses six speakers, providing a balanced and immersive audio experience for most home theaters and media rooms.
- 7.2 surround sound adds two extra speakers for nine, creating a more enveloping soundstage and better positional audio accuracy.
- The 7.2 system requires additional equipment and space, making it more suitable for dedicated home theaters or larger rooms.
5.1 vs 7.2 Surround Sound
A 5.1 surround sound system consists of five speakers and one subwoofer. The five speakers include a center speaker, two front speakers, and two rear speakers, while the subwoofer is liable for handling low-frequency sounds. 7.2 surround sound system consists of seven speakers and two subwoofers.
5.1 surround sound also referred to as five-point one, is a name used for surround sound audio systems.
5.1 surround sound includes many speakers to give output and multiple channels for recording that results in the advanced listening experience of the person. This Audio system is found in home theatres.
7.2 Surround Sound system provides 7 channels for the output that are placed in the room accordingly.
These 7 channels include right side, left side, center, front right, front left, rear right, and rear left. Also, 2 subwoofers are part of the system.
It is used in big theatre but can be used individually.
Comparison Table
| Parameters Of Comparison | 5.1 Surround System | 7.2 Surround System |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 5.1 in 5.1 surround sound stand for 5 standard speakers and 1 subwoofer. | 7.2 in 7.2 surround sound stands for 7 standard speakers and 2 subwoofers. |
| Sound quality | The sound quality provided by 5.1 surround sound is standard surround sound where it covers all directions. | The sound quality provided by 7.2 surround sound comes with greater depth and adequate accuracy. |
| Ideal for | 5.1 surround sound systems are considered to be most suitable for smaller areas of space. | 7.2 surround sound systems are considered to be most suitable for spaces that are bigger and wider. |
| Format | The formats of 5.1 surround sound are DTS and Digital Dolby. They provide limited resources. | The formats of 5.1 surround sound are DTS HD, Master Audio, Dolby TrueHD, etc. |
| Supporting devices | The 5.1 surround sound system is supported by video games, DVDs, and other devices. | Multiple systems support 7.2 surround systems such as PS4, Xbox, PS3, Blu-ray movies and players, etc. |
What is 5.1 Surround Sound?
5.1 Surround Sound system is frequently used as THX, SDDS, Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic II, etc.
The sound quality of the 5.1 surround system is way more realistic than any other medium. This sound system is also known as multichannel audio technology.
There are 5 bandwidth channels and one channel of low-frequency effect is used by the 5.1 sound system.
Music and digital broadcast utilize a 5.1 sound system as their significant component. There are four speakers deployed in each corner of the room while one speaker is placed in front.
The speaker on the right and left sides of the center speaker are there to create stereo sound and the other two speakers are used to create surround sound.
The prototype of surround sound was used in 1975 for the film ‘Tommy’.
5.1 Surround system is capable of generating a frequency of 3-20,000 hertz without any problem. The subwoofer channel given in this system can operate a frequency of 3-120 Hertz creating low-frequency effects.
5.1 surround-sound technology is supported by video games, DVDs, and other types of media systems. When a person purchases a 5.1 surround sound system, the cost can vary depending on how many channels are being included.
What is 7.2 Surround Sound?
7.2 Surround Sound system refers to the 7 speakers that they offer to give an extraordinary audio experience to the person.
In the 7.2 surround sound system, the first digit stands for the number of speakers while the second digit shows the number of subwoofers.
There also a previous version of this sound system exists known as 7.1. 7.2 sound system is a main feature of the home theatre.
This sound system is an upgraded version of the 5.1 sound system that is introduced to give more audio dimension.
The additional subwoofer in the 7.2 surround sound system is capable of adding clearer sound and base effects. The home theatre sound system is very common nowadays.
They are convenient to afford and operate. Anyone would prefer engaging, energized and all-around sound quality produced by the 7.2 surround system than the TV’s stereo speakers.
This surround system can handle both mid-frequency and high-frequency signals and channel them to all directions with smooth realistic sound.
7.2 surround sound system brings many advantages with it such as subwoofers that are not localized, smooth and amazing bass effect, very beneficial for large spaces, etc.
It has some cons as well such as it provides fewer sources for configuration support.
Main Differences Between 5.1 and 7.2 Surround Sound
- The cost of a 5.1 surround system can differentiate based on many factors but is always cheaper than 7.2. While 7.2 surround sound system can be expensive.
- Dolby labs invented 5.1 surround sound in 1976. On the other hand, the 7.2 surround sound system was introduced to the world in 2010 by Disney.
- The first-ever film to use a 5.1 surround sound system was ‘Tommy’. On the other hand, Disney used 7.2 surround sound in an animated film known as ‘Toy Story 3’.
- 5.1 surround sound has been considered to be suitable for small rooms. While 7.2 surround sound is a great choice for bigger areas.
- DVDs, videos, and video games support a 5.1 surround sound system. 7.2 surround sound is supported by Xbox, PS3, PS4, and many other devices.
Last Updated : 04 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
The technological advancements in audio systems have ushered in a new era of entertainment. Surround sound systems have greatly enhanced the audio-visual experience.
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