Tag archive: surround sound

It was the summer of ’69. We’re not talking about the Bryan Adams song here; we’re actually referring to first time surround sound became available in the home. At the time, it was called Quadraphonic sound, and it first came to home audio buffs by way of reel-to-reel tape. Unfortunately, quadraphonic sound was very short-lived. The technology, which provided discrete sound from four speakers placed in each corner of a room, was confusing… Read More

Westinghouse—perhaps better known for its nuclear power plants than consumer electronics—is now shipping two LED-backlist HDTVs with SRS TruSurround HD audio, enabling the systems to handle surround sound mixes using just two speakers. The experience is undoubtedly not the same as a true surround-sound setup, but it also lacks those annoying satellite speakers you're always bumping into and hidden cabling that seems to wander… Read More

Home theater fans will tell you there's nothing like having a well-configured surround-sound setup for enjoying your favorite movies and games—but folks who need to wring entertainment from notebooks, tablets, and othe portable devices will tell you that surround sound just isn't practical on the go. Peripheral and accessories maker IOGear is looking to bridge that gap by bringing its USB Theater Sound Xperience device to the North… Read More

Home theater fans will tell you that a superior sound system is an essential element to any surround-sound setup…but anyone who has had to live with a superior sound system will also tell you it can be like watching a film from the front row of a death metal concert. Sure, there might be a movie playing somewhere, but most of what you notice is your nose pressed right up against a speaker grille. And a distinct lack of personal space.… Read More

The most expensive laptop speakers ever, or a pair of killer rear surrounds for your new home stereo? Up to you. Aperion Audio’s new Zona wireless speakers snip the cord for either application, letting you put them where you want them – not where the cables from your receiver happen to reach. As long as you can power them, anyway. Like all wireless speakers, you’ll need to run power to each shoebox-sized bookshelf speaker to drive the dual… Read More

No home theater system is truly complete without a subwoofer. There is simply something primal to that low bass rumble that rattles your drink and shakes the popcorn. It is a deeply ingrained within us to want more sound, to feel the power of the bass, and in turn, to be fully immersed.  It is more than just watching or listening to something, it is experiencing it. Of every subwoofer on the market, few can come close to the awesome power of… Read More

First you could order stuff out of the back of catalogues. Then off TV. Then off the Internet. Aperion Audio, one of the first audiophile brands to try its hand at peddling speakers solely through the Web, turns 10 this week. Feel-good tales of customer satisfaction and value aside, the reason you really care: They’re dropping prices on a bunch of gear to celebrate. The Aperion Audio 10th Anniversary 5.1 Home Theater System, which is based… Read More

As a home theater tech critic, I spend much of my time evangelizing for surround sound. I do it unashamedly and with all my heart. I love surround sound and I want everyone else to get as much pleasure from it as I do. But I worry that a lot of people still waiting to dip a toe in the sound-field are turned off by a bunch of seemingly conflicting numbers: 5.1 and 6.1 and 7.1. I've seen this over and over with people who are just getting… Read More