A modern home should have a connection with the world. The absolute majority thinks so. Many people buy a home theater in addition to a blue screen. As a rule, this is an AV receiver and a set of acoustics, usually 5+1. Today is their day, these same “five one”.
Criteria for evaluation
In today's test, we will not rate music playback; we will evaluate the quality of sound in a home theater. We will try to evaluate the music only optionally, and in trifonic mode. The main criteria will be scale, recognizable sound effects and the ability to successfully present works of modern cinema. It's no secret that Hollywood sets the tone here. Therefore, we will test our technology on the first “Matrix”.
Setting up 5.1 sound in Windows 7/10
After all the cables are connected, you should proceed to setting up 5.1 acoustics in the Windows 7 or 10 operating system itself. Open the “Control Panel” and go to the “Sound” section. Here, go to the “Playback” tab, where select “Speakers” from the list.
Next, click the “Customize” button at the bottom of the window and select “5.1 surround sound” in the window that opens. At this stage, you can check that the speakers are connected correctly by clicking on one or another speaker and checking that the speakers match the diagram. If necessary, check that the speakers and audio outputs from the computer are connected correctly. Complete the 5.1 audio setup by following the steps to the end.
As a rule, no further action is required from you; the only thing you should pay attention to is the system operating mode switch on the receiver (subwoofer). On many models, in addition to 5.1, there are other operating modes, such as stereo and, if there is a digital input, SPDIF. When connecting using the above method, the switch must be set to position 5.1. If your sound card does not support five-channel sound, then you can play regular stereo sound on a 5.1 system by simply moving the corresponding switch to the desired position. Of course, in this case you will not be able to enjoy truly five-channel sound. The same applies to the audio files themselves, which are recorded as stereo. Even when using a 5.1 sound card, they will sound like stereo, only on 5 pairs of speakers.
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Assembly and installation of a 5.1 speaker system
The subwoofer is traditionally installed on the floor and houses an amplifier with a power supply, to which all other components of the system are connected. But there are exceptions when the receiver is made separately, and all the acoustics are connected to it. The terminals for connecting each speaker are marked. The symbols used to identify the front speakers are FR (Front Right) and FL (Front Left), CEN (Center), RR (Rear Right) and RL (Rear Left). If the subwoofer is passive, that is, it does not include an amplifier, then it is also connected to the receiver itself, which has the corresponding SW marking. According to this marking, the first step is to connect all the speakers and place them in the appropriate order in the room.
Samsung HW-Q6CT
- Number of speakers: 9
- Total power: 330 W
- Audio decoders: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS Virtual X
- Connections and connectors: Bluetooth, USB Type-A, HDMI, S/PDIF
- Soundbar size (W*H*D): 980*58*105 mm
- Subwoofer size (W*H*D): 181*343*272 mm
- Total weight: 7.4 kg
The only soundbar in today's selection is the HW-Q6CT model from Samsung. The kit includes the soundbar itself, a small subwoofer and a stylish branded remote control with the minimum necessary functionality. The total acoustic power is impressive - 330 W. There are built-in Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual X decoders.
This audio system is intended primarily for home theater use. The device supports Samsung's proprietary acoustic beam technology, which enhances immersion in content. The sound is mixed and localized specifically to the place where the action takes place on the screen. You can feel all its delights while watching movies or playing games.
The acoustics can be connected via HDMI to a PC or laptop. There is support for Bluetooth and an optical S/PDIF input as alternative options. Q-Symphony mode allows you to synchronize the soundbar's speakers with the speakers of a supported Samsung TV for an enhanced surround sound effect. By the way, their number inside the soundbar body is 9 pieces. However, it is worth understanding that massive speakers simply cannot fit into a compact case.
In ideal usage scenarios, additional rear satellites are purchased for such a soundbar. But if we compare the device with cheap speaker systems, then even in its standard version it significantly surpasses them in sound characteristics. In short, the Samsung HW-Q6CT is a good initial option for five-channel speakers for a TV. Specifically among soundbars, finding a worthy alternative in this budget will be extremely difficult.
Connecting speakers to a computer
To connect a 5.1 speaker system to a computer, you must have a sound card installed on it that allows you to reproduce sound in 5.1. This can be either a sound card integrated into the motherboard or a sound card installed separately in the PCI slot.
The 5.1 system is connected by three pairs of cables, which have a mini-jack on one side for connecting directly to a computer, and on the other side “tulips” (stereo RCA) for connecting to the receiver’s inputs (Audio Input). Here you should pay attention to the fact that to connect speakers to the receiver (subwoofer), “tulip” type connectors with the designation Audio Output and speaker markings (FR, FL, etc.) are also used. You cannot plug computer cables into these connectors!
Correctly connecting the computer's audio outputs to the correct inputs of the receiver will allow you to quickly set up the system and enjoy high-quality sound. So, the front channel (front speakers) should be connected to the green jack, the rear channel (rear speakers) should usually be connected to the black jack, and the subwoofer and center speaker channel to the orange jack. To ensure that everything is completed without errors, you should first carefully study the manual for your motherboard or sound card, which should indicate which socket is responsible for which channel.
Logitech Z906
- Number of stripes: 1
- Frequency range: 35-20000 Hz
- Impedance: 8 ohms
- Total power: 500 W
- Housing materials: speakers - plastic, subwoofer - MDF
- Connections and connectors: 3.5 mm mini-Jack, RCA, S/PDIF
- Speaker dimensions (W*H*D): front and rear - 99*165*93 mm, central - 166*100*94 mm
- Subwoofer size (W*H*D): 280*292*350 mm
- Total weight: 12.5 kg
The absolute leader among PC speakers today, in my humble opinion, is the Logitech Z906 system. In addition to the presence of decoders according to Dolby Digital and DTS standards, the model has received a THX certificate, which is a kind of guarantor of quality in the world of audio equipment.
The characteristics of the device are sometimes surprising in the good sense of the word - 500 W of power with a 165-watt subwoofer - the neighbors will definitely appreciate such acoustics. The set includes four speakers with the same dimensions - two each for the front and rear, a central satellite in a horizontally elongated form factor, a small console with control buttons, a wireless remote control, and a subwoofer, of course. The design is pleasant and discreet. The subwoofer body is made of MDF, and all other devices are made of plastic. The main disadvantage of this speaker system is the single-way speakers. Still, for such a price tag I would like at least a two-way layout.
Logitech Z906 is positioned as computer acoustics. But nothing prevents you from using it for home cinema. This is especially facilitated by the presence of two digital optical inputs. You can connect both a PC and a TV at the same time. In addition, there are standard RCA tulips and a 3.5 mm mini-jack. The remote control console also has two 3.5mm audio jacks for microphone and headphones. From an ergonomic point of view, its presence in the kit makes life incredibly easy. The console can be placed on the desktop and control the audio system without any problems. The wireless remote control practically replicates its functionality. If there is such a need, you can activate three alternative surround sound options. The volume reserve is sufficient for large living rooms. Of course, it’s hard to believe that the system sounds at 500 watts. But in any case, the quality is simply wonderful and will satisfy even very picky users.
Interesting fact: this acoustics was born back in 2011 and is still successfully sold and supported by the manufacturer. The only pity is that the price tag has not been preserved from those times. However, over this long period, competitors have not created passable analogues capable of displacing the Logitech product from the market. Hence the rise in prices. But we all understand that you have to pay for quality. To sum it up briefly, I'll say it again: the Z906 is definitely the best choice among five-channel audio systems for both PC and home theater.
Edifier R501BT
- Number of stripes: 1
- Signal to noise ratio: 85 dB
- Frequency range: 38-20000 Hz
- Total power: 93 W
- Body materials: MDF
- Connections and connectors: 3.5 mm mini-Jack, Bluetooth 4.0, USB Type-A, card reader
- Speaker dimensions (W*H*D): front and rear – 118*172*112 mm, central – 264*108*116 mm
- Subwoofer size (W*H*D): 288*414*272 mm
- Total weight: 12.2 kg
The Edifier R501BT is a much more expensive speaker system, and that’s what we’ll be talking about now. The device consists of a pair of rear and front speakers, a horizontal central satellite and a subwoofer with control buttons, a small display and connection connectors. The body is made of MDF with plastic elements. The kit also includes a minimalistic remote control with the basic necessary functionality.
On sale you can find a version without the letters BT in the name, which indicate the presence of Bluetooth in the model. The difference in cost between these modifications is very small, so there is little point in saving here. In addition to the wireless connection, USB Type-A ports and a card reader are available for connecting flash drives and SD cards, respectively.
The total acoustic power is 93 W, and the frequency range is from 38 to 20,000 Hz. An eight-inch 30-watt speaker in the subwoofer is responsible for the lows. For a room of about 20 square meters, the volume level is enough for the eyes. The bass is clear and pleasant. Everything is fine with the balance of mids and highs. Small disadvantages include short front speaker wires, the lack of Dolby Digital and DTS decoders, as well as slightly outdated Bluetooth version 4. Otherwise, the device will be a good choice for a home PC, but I would recommend catching discounts, since the price has jumped up significantly recently.
