Understanding Speaker Types
Bookshelf, tower, in-wall, in-ceiling, on-wall, and satellite speakers each solve a different placement problem.
The front three speakers (left, center, right) do the heavy lifting — dialog, music, and most on-screen effects. They should be matched in tonality (ideally same series).
Surrounds and heights add spatial cues. Direct-radiating (regular) speakers are the modern preference over bipole/dipole because Atmos and DTS:X mix discrete objects, not diffuse ambience.
Related topics
- Speaker SensitivitySensitivity is measured in dB SPL at 1 watt from 1 meter. Every +3 dB of sensitivity is roughly like doubling your amplifier power.
- ImpedanceImpedance is how much a speaker resists current, measured in ohms. Lower impedance demands more current from the amplifier.
- Dolby Atmos LayoutsAtmos layouts are written as X.Y.Z — floor speakers, subwoofers, and height speakers.