Home Theater Setups: 2.0, 5.1, 7.2 and More, What Does it All Mean?

Home Theater Setups: 2.0, 5.1, 7.2, and More, What Does it All Mean?

2.0... 5.1... 7.2...what does it all mean? 

When someone is referring to a number-point-another-number home theater setup, the first number refers to the number of full-range channels, and the second refers to the number of low-frequency effects channels.

A 2.0 setup, for example, has two channels - left and right. This is the traditional stereo system used for vinyl, CDs, and music streaming. 2.1 will refer to a two-channel setup with a subwoofer.

Front speakers can either be toed in or in straight orientation. When speakers are toed in, they are angled in and directly facing the listener. When they are "straight", they stay aligned with the wall. There are different factors in deciding what orientation works best for you, including room size and acoustics, so we encourage you to try both and see which sounds best to you. 

A 3.1 setup will add a center channel to the mix and is a good option for rooms where surround speakers may be in the way. The center speaker will make sure that all voices are coming from the screen, regardless of where you are in the room.

5.0 and 5.1 setups add rear left and right channels and are the most common home theater setup. 7.0 will add side channels. 

Any of these setups could have an additional subwoofer added. A single subwoofer is usually adequate for an average-sized room in a house. However, in some rooms, a single subwoofer is more prone to certain bass notes sounding louder than others. Using two or four subwoofers helps to cancel these effects and smooth out the bass response.

For more information about home theater and speakers in general, check out our Ultimate Guide to Home Theater Setup!