The sound has become a major factor of comfort and quality of use of the PC, almost as well as graphics and power. It is clear that the explosion of DVD Video and 3D sound standards of richer contributed to this mini-revolution that has taken us from the concert pans Dolby Digital. But finding the form of a perfect couple with your sound card and your PC is not always easy. Indeed, despite the small number of products available today it is often difficult to make a choice. Because the standards they have multiplied and the user is often confronted with a technical rather confusing blur.
The terms AC 3, THX, Dolby Surround system 4.1 and 5.1 are all expressions which everyone has heard of but whose exact meaning is beyond the ordinary. Normal systems consist of two speakers. They can have a listen in stereo (that is to say on 2 different channels) of reasonable quality. It is generally cheap speakers and average quality. The quality of your speakers is of course an important criterion. The problem is that it is difficult or impossible to have an idea about the sound quality of speakers from their technical characteristics. We may have some clues about the quality of speakers from their technical specifications, and in particular their operating frequency.
Basically, over the operating range will be wider and the speakers will be able to return different sounds. Speakers with a range of 35Hz - 20 kHz are capable of reproducing a wide range of its principle guaranteeing a good quality. Finally, there is a certification, THX, which is a sort of "Label Rouge" speakers, indicating that the speakers meet certain quality requirements. But like any private certification, it is better to assign a relative importance.
The power of speaker is calculated in Watts. There are several types, but only Watts RMS count. Generally, the more speakers are large (or many) and the speakers will be able to produce a powerful sound. Keep in mind that power is not everything, and it is always better to have low power speakers but good quality rather than powerful but crackling speakers. Then the other thing you must care about is connectors. Even if it is less important than on sound cards, input and output of a speaker system are crucial. If a stereo analog input is sufficient for 2.1 systems, a digital input S / PDIF is essential for systems 4.1, 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 in order to have an independent sound on each speaker. You will also appreciate a headphone output, although the majority of sound cards have one.
Here are different types of Speaker :
2.1 Speakers :
Composed over a subwoofer, the system is best suited for listening to stereo music for example, the box used only to restore the bass. Some 2.1 systems are of excellent quality, quality that is sometimes pay a high price.
4.1 Speakers :
4 speakers and a subwoofer, this type of system allows to receive two additional rear channels to really create a sound space that surrounds you. Very useful in video games, for example to identify where there is an enemy just by hearing it on your left or right, back or front.
5.1 Speakers :
With a center speaker in addition to 4.1 so as to better restore the dialogue is the most suitable system for watching DVDs, since most movies are encoded in 5.1 (DTS, Dolby Digital).
6.1 and 7.1 Speakers :
This is all new systems which embed one or two more speakers. They are currently not used to their full potential. Indeed, movies encoded on 6 channels (DTS-ES, Dolby Digital EX) are rare and it does not already exist in 7 channels. Moreover, these systems become quite cumbersome and inconvenient because they involve the placement of a speaker behind the listening position.
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