Surround Sound Systems… It Makes a Difference
Is your Florida home theater really a home theater without surround sound?
Sure, internal TV speakers may promise to sound better than ever, and soundbars are marketed to include “3D surround sound.” But unless you have a system of speakers arranged around seating, you won’t achieve the depth and detail true surround sound provides.
If you’re new to surround sound, you may be unsure where to start. Can you find any old speakers and place them around the room? There’s more to it than that. Audio is both a science and an art, and below we’ll share how to build a surround sound system for your home in the Palm Beach and South Florida area.
SEE ALSO: Custom Home Theater Design Palm Beach
How Many Speakers Will You Need?
Most surround sound systems include five loudspeakers and one subwoofer. Do you need a subwoofer? We’d recommend it. Their large internal drivers play low, rumbling bass notes, bringing energy and excitement to both action scenes and music. With low-frequency sounds dedicated to the subwoofer, the other speakers will play mid- and high-range sounds more clearly.
In the industry, a five-speaker, one subwoofer setup is labeled 5.1. The first digit represents the number of speakers, while the second digit represents the number of subwoofers. You can expand to seven speakers in a 7.1 setup, add another subwoofer for 7.2, or even get up to 11.2.2, the third number identifying Dolby Atmos upward-firing speakers. The possibilities are endless!
Where Each Speaker Should Go
In a 5.1 arrangement, you’ll want to mount two speakers at the front of the room, one on the right and the other on the left side. A center-channel speaker, which delivers most of the film dialogue, should be placed either above or below the screen.
Next, add two speakers on either side of the seats at ear level. Then place the subwoofer on the floor near the front or side of the room. Ideally, your subwoofer should not be flat against the wall, as it might cause harsh, muddy sounds. Six inches away from the wall should suffice for quality sound.
If you go beyond a 5.1 system, we’ll add two speakers to the back of the room, making a 7.1 setup. Dolby Atmos speakers are mounted on the ceiling or high on the walls, creating a dome of immersive audio all around you. With Dolby Atmos, sounds aren’t restricted to a single channel or speaker. Instead, they’re treated as independent objects that can move freely about the room. So, whether a spaceship is flying through the galaxy or a wizard whizzes by on a broom, your surround sound speakers will take you along for the journey.
Hidden Surround Sound Speakers
Does the idea of five, seven, ten, or more speakers sound daunting to you? Not sure if you have room for it all? You can reduce hardware clutter with hidden in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Your home theater installer can place speakers inside the theater walls before they’re finished over. That way, you won’t see a single wire, and the audio will still sound impeccable!
If you’re ready to upgrade your entertainment, contact Definitive Electronics to bring surround sound to your Palm Beach, FL area home. We look forward to assisting you!
Definitive Electronics | The Florida Home Audio/Video Experts
Our Growing Florida Service Areas
Definitive Electronics serves homeowners, builders, designers, and architects across many of Florida’s most distinguished communities, from South Florida’s coastline to Central Florida and the Gulf Coast, including:
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Island, Manalapan, Wellington, Highland Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and surrounding communities
Martin County
Stuart, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, Palm City, Sewall’s Point, Hutchinson Island, and nearby waterfront and golf communities
Broward County
Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, Weston, Coral Springs, Parkland, and coastal and nearby neighborhoods
Miami-Dade County
Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Coconut Grove, and surrounding communities
Orange County
Orlando Windermere, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Isleworth, Keene’s Pointe, Golden Oak, and other Central Florida communities
Tampa Bay Area (Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties)
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Belleair, Palm Harbor, Tierra Verde, and surrounding residential areas
Oceanfront estates, canal properties, private golf communities, luxury condominiums, and new construction projects all benefit from integrated home technology solutions.
Wherever you are within our Florida Service Areas, Definitive Electronics is ready to bring thoughtful design, seamless control, and reliable performance into your space.
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Surround Sound Systems… It Makes a Difference
Is your Florida home theater really a home theater without surround sound?
Sure, internal TV speakers may promise to sound better than ever, and soundbars are marketed to include “3D surround sound.” But unless you have a system of speakers arranged around seating, you won’t achieve the depth and detail true surround sound provides.
If you’re new to surround sound, you may be unsure where to start. Can you find any old speakers and place them around the room? There’s more to it than that. Audio is both a science and an art, and below we’ll share how to build a surround sound system for your home in the Palm Beach and South Florida area.
SEE ALSO: Custom Home Theater Design Palm Beach
How Many Speakers Will You Need?
Most surround sound systems include five loudspeakers and one subwoofer. Do you need a subwoofer? We’d recommend it. Their large internal drivers play low, rumbling bass notes, bringing energy and excitement to both action scenes and music. With low-frequency sounds dedicated to the subwoofer, the other speakers will play mid- and high-range sounds more clearly.
In the industry, a five-speaker, one subwoofer setup is labeled 5.1. The first digit represents the number of speakers, while the second digit represents the number of subwoofers. You can expand to seven speakers in a 7.1 setup, add another subwoofer for 7.2, or even get up to 11.2.2, the third number identifying Dolby Atmos upward-firing speakers. The possibilities are endless!
Where Each Speaker Should Go
In a 5.1 arrangement, you’ll want to mount two speakers at the front of the room, one on the right and the other on the left side. A center-channel speaker, which delivers most of the film dialogue, should be placed either above or below the screen.
Next, add two speakers on either side of the seats at ear level. Then place the subwoofer on the floor near the front or side of the room. Ideally, your subwoofer should not be flat against the wall, as it might cause harsh, muddy sounds. Six inches away from the wall should suffice for quality sound.
If you go beyond a 5.1 system, we’ll add two speakers to the back of the room, making a 7.1 setup. Dolby Atmos speakers are mounted on the ceiling or high on the walls, creating a dome of immersive audio all around you. With Dolby Atmos, sounds aren’t restricted to a single channel or speaker. Instead, they’re treated as independent objects that can move freely about the room. So, whether a spaceship is flying through the galaxy or a wizard whizzes by on a broom, your surround sound speakers will take you along for the journey.
Hidden Surround Sound Speakers
Does the idea of five, seven, ten, or more speakers sound daunting to you? Not sure if you have room for it all? You can reduce hardware clutter with hidden in-wall or in-ceiling speakers. Your home theater installer can place speakers inside the theater walls before they’re finished over. That way, you won’t see a single wire, and the audio will still sound impeccable!
If you’re ready to upgrade your entertainment, contact Definitive Electronics to bring surround sound to your Palm Beach, FL area home. We look forward to assisting you!
Definitive Electronics | The Florida Home Audio/Video Experts
Our Growing Florida Service Areas
Definitive Electronics serves homeowners, builders, designers, and architects across many of Florida’s most distinguished communities, from South Florida’s coastline to Central Florida and the Gulf Coast, including:
Palm Beach County
Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Island, Manalapan, Wellington, Highland Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, and surrounding communities
Martin County
Stuart, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, Palm City, Sewall’s Point, Hutchinson Island, and nearby waterfront and golf communities
Broward County
Fort Lauderdale, Lighthouse Point, Weston, Coral Springs, Parkland, and coastal and nearby neighborhoods
Miami-Dade County
Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne, Bal Harbour, Aventura, Coconut Grove, and surrounding communities
Orange County
Orlando Windermere, Lake Nona, Winter Park, Isleworth, Keene’s Pointe, Golden Oak, and other Central Florida communities
Tampa Bay Area (Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties)
Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Belleair, Palm Harbor, Tierra Verde, and surrounding residential areas
Oceanfront estates, canal properties, private golf communities, luxury condominiums, and new construction projects all benefit from integrated home technology solutions.
Wherever you are within our Florida Service Areas, Definitive Electronics is ready to bring thoughtful design, seamless control, and reliable performance into your space.


