A surround sound system can really elevate game day and movie night. Here's how to set it up in your house.
Time 1 to 3 hours
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$650 - $1000
Introduction
Recreate the movie theater experience at home with an immersive sound system.
 These days, big, 5-foot speakers around the family TV don’t result in superior sound. Modern surround sound systems pack a big punch in a series of small speakers, but to get the most out of your home theater system, you must set it up correctly for your space.
I was lucky enough to get in touch with Amanda Wildman, an integrator and electrical apprentice and part owner of a technology installation company called TruMedia located in Michigan since 2003. She also sits on the board of the CEDIA, the Association for Smart Home Professionals. Wildman believes the purpose of surround sound is to create a space where you and your family can have an incredible visual and audio experience that elevates your sense of reality while watching your favorite films.
Wildman encourages anyone in the market for speakers to first ask themselves a series of questions: what experience am I trying to create, what are my limitations, and what are the best products that will play (or integrate) together?
To have an enhanced audio experience, you don’t have to buy the biggest or most expensive system. In Wildman’s experience, every situation is unique and will require a different speaker setup. For example, if you live in an apartment, a sound bar may be all you need and not a 7-speaker setup that sets you back $1,600.
Another common problem that is often overlooked during the installation process is sound bouncing which causes an unpleasant echo. Hardwood floors, windows and empty wall space can all contribute to sound echoing. Wildman also mentioned that artwork, especially metal, can cause some disturbing high-frequency sound bouncing. Adding soft surfaces into a space can drastically help absorb the sound.
But first, you’ve got to set it up correctly.
For our DIY surround sound installation, I purchased a 5.1-channel surround sound system because it was within my budget and included a receiver. It was also appropriate for the size and layout of the room. Installing hidden speakers into the walls was not an option here, and the homeowner did not want to mount the speakers to the walls. Instead, I placed the three front speakers on the TV console and purchased two speaker stands for the two rear speakers. The subwoofer was placed in the right front corner of the room since the left side was the walkway into the room.
What are the most common home surround sound speaker configurations?
Sound bar: A sound bar is best in small spaces like an apartment or living room and is a quick way to replace the TV speakers with a much better sound quality.
2.1-channel: Ideal for smaller rooms and is a less expensive setup that has two front speakers and a subwoofer.
5.1-channel: A great option for larger-sized rooms and is more affordable compared to a 7.1 setup. Includes three front speakers, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer.
7.1-channel: The advanced option for larger spaces includes all the speakers of a 5.1 set up in addition to two side speakers. This is the most expensive option but is worth it if you want the paramount surround sound experience.
How much does it cost to install a surround sound system?
The average cost to have a surround sound system install in your house is just over $700, but the bill can vary from several hundred to upwards of $1,700. Factors that impact the cost of professional installation include: size of your home, number of components, mounting the speakers, location and other considerations.
Do you need to hire a pro to set up a home theater system?
Professionals are not required to install a home theater system especially if you are only adding a sound bar. All you need is a basic familiarity with DIY electrical work. However, the experience of a professional can be valuable especially if you have a complex setup or wiring it for multiple rooms. If you are building a new home or a theater room, it is better to reach out to a professional before the build to guarantee the room layout is optimal for surround sound setup.
Tools Required
- Needle-nose pliers
- Wire crimper
Materials Required
- HDMI eARC cable
- Speaker stands
- Speaker wire
- Surround sound speakers and receiver
Watch How To Set Up a Surround Sound System for Any Space
Project step-by-step (9)
Step 1
Prepare and measure
To begin, move any furniture, plants, etc., away from where you plan to run the wire. I also removed any extra wires and components from the TV console to minimize confusion.
Measure the dimensions of the room and be sure to have enough speaker wire to run the room’s perimeter near the baseboards. Taking the room size and furniture placement into account can also help you determine the ideal speaker setup.
Step 2
Place the front speakers
- Place the center front speaker in the middle of the TV console.
- Then, place the front left and right speakers on each side of the center speaker.
- Tip: Front speakers sound best at ear-level so you can purchase speaker stands or mount the speakers onto the wall if needed. The TV console in this room happened to be at ear level from the seating, so it was a perfect place for the front speakers to sit
- Direct the sound toward the center of the seating area by slightly angling the left and right speakers.
Step 3
Position the rear speakers
- Place the rear surround speakers behind the viewing area or slightly behind and outside the seating area, above ear level and angled 90-110 degrees towards the center of the seating area.
- In this case, mounting the rear speakers to the wall wasn’t an option, so I used speaker stands. These speaker stands have the ability to hide the wires in the center of the stand, which is something to consider if you want to keep unsightly wires out of view.
Step 4
Place the subwoofer
- Place the subwoofer on the floor on either the right or left side of the TV console facing toward the center of the seating area.
Step 5
Connect the speaker wires to the speakers
- Determine the length of wire needed for each speaker to reach the receiver. Then, cut the wire with your crimpers.
- Using the crimpers, remove about ¼-inch of the wire insulation on the ends. Twist the exposed wire strands in the opposite direction and attach them to the speakers.
- Tip: Speaker wire indicators, such as colored red/black wires or labeled wires, help to ensure the speaker terminal and the receiver terminals match up with the correct wires.
Step 6
Hide speaker wiresÂ
- Hide the speaker wire by running the wire under the carpet or along the baseboards. Here, it was easy to push the wire under the baseboards and out of sight using a pair of needle nose pliers.
- Optional step: You don’t have to do this part, but, in my opinion, it looks better when there aren’t a bunch of wires strung across the floor.
Step 7
Connect speaker wires to the receiver
- Just like you did earlier, remove ¼-inch of the wire insulation using the crimpers and connect the wires to the receiver.
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- Most receivers (like the one I set up) have the wire inputs labeled for each speaker to avoid confusion. Connect the speaker wires to the appropriate inputs by placing the wire into the terminal and begin turning the terminal knob clockwise until tight but not too tight.
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- If the receiver uses a screw terminal connection, make a shepherd’s loop in the end of the speaker wire to connect it to the receiver. connection into the receiver. Not all receivers need this, the receiver I was installing required the exposed wire strands to be twisted before connecting into the screw terminal.
Step 8
Connect the receiver to the TV
- Using an HDMI cable, connect the receiver to the television’s HDMI port.
- Tip: I would highly recommend using an eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) HDMI cable because it transmits the highest sound quality.
Step 9
Adjust TV output setting video and test the surround sound
- Access the audio settings on your television using the menu on your remote and select the audio output option that corresponds to the connection between your television and the receiver.
- Now it’s time to test the surround sound system. Most receivers have an automatic setup feature that uses a connected microphone to measure the ambient sound levels and optimize the speaker balance.
- Tip: Search for surround sound test videos on platforms like YouTube to evaluate the audio performance of your system. These videos are specifically designed to test the capabilities of surround sound systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the receiver have to be the same brand as the speakers?
No, but you will be required to do some research on your current products to make sure they will be compatible by checking the impedance and power levels on the devices. It’s less confusing to stick with one brand as you build a surround sound home theater system.
How do I prevent sound from echoing in my room?
Installing soft furnishings like thick curtains, rugs, or upholstered furniture can help absorb the sounds. Attaching acoustic panels to the walls and ceiling can also help reduce echo.
What type of speaker wires should I use for surround sound?
Expensive speaker cables are mostly about appearance. The truth is, you can get the same results with inexpensive bulk “twisted pair audio security” cable from the home center. If your speaker runs are less than 100 ft., 16-gauge wire is good enough. But if they’re 100 to 200 ft., choose 14-gauge wire.
