What Is the Difference Between a Surround Sound System and a Home Theater System?

Home Theater|Theater

A surround sound system and a home theater system are two separate audio setups that each provide an immersive listening experience. The main difference between the two is the number of components they use.

A surround sound system typically has five speakers and one subwoofer, while a home theater system will have at least seven speakers and two subwoofers. Additionally, a home theater system will usually include an AV receiver, which allows for more flexibility in regards to playback options.

Surround Sound System

A surround sound system is a setup of five or more speakers that provides an immersive listening experience by creating a “bubble” of audio around the listener. It typically uses five identical speakers—two at the front, two at the sides, and one in the center—and one subwoofer for bass. This setup is designed to create a realistic 3D effect as sound moves around you, allowing you to feel like you’re in the middle of whatever movie or game you’re playing.

Home Theater System

A home theater system is a more advanced audio setup than a surround sound system. It usually includes seven or more speakers—two at the front, two at the sides, two in the rear, one in the center (or sometimes two) and two or more subwoofers for bass.

Additionally, it often includes an AV receiver to control all of your audio components with ease. The AV receiver also allows for multiple inputs so you can connect different devices (such as your television and gaming console) to your home theater system without needing to unplug anything.

Conclusion

In summary, what separates a surround sound system from a home theater system is their number of components; while both provide an immersive listening experience, a home theater system has more speakers and often includes an AV receiver for improved playback options. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference—if you want an immersive listening experience without needing too many components then a surround sound system may be enough for your needs; if however you want greater flexibility in regards to playback options then consider investing in a full-fledged home theater system.