Is 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound better for gaming?

Your sound can really affect how immersive your gaming experience can be, which, understandably, makes it critical to choose the best surround sound setup — 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.

Each has their pros and cons. But for pure sound immersion in games, there’s really no comparison: A 7.1 setup, either via speakers or a surround sound headset is your best option and here’s why…

5.1 versus 7.1 surround sound: What’s the difference?

If you take a speaker setup as an example, the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound is the number of speakers you get. A 5.1 speaker setup utilizes six speakers (five speakers and a subwoofer), whereas in a 7.1 speaker setup there are two extra speakers in the rear (so seven speakers and a subwoofer all up).

In a virtual surround sound setup with a headset, there are obviously no speakers, but the audio is designed to reflect a 5.1 or 7.1 setup with the same number of audio channels — so you will hear audio emanating from the directions you’d expect the speakers to be placed.

Both 5.1 and 7.1 setups are effective at surrounding you with sound and both can provide precise directionality and depth to your audio compared with a standard 2.0 speaker system or stereo audio headset. The difference is just the extent to which they do that.

Further reading: Why 3D spatial audio is an unheralded game changer

Why 7.1 surround sound is superior

The fact you get an extra two speakers in a 7.1 setup, or extra audio channels in your 7.1 headset means that the sound is enhanced — you get more of the 360-degree circumference around you represented by sound.

In a nutshell, that means you get a wider soundstage — an extra layer of detail which enriches your listening experience. The bonus audio adds to the sense of immersion. It means it’s easier to feel like the center of the action, the epicenter of where the sound is focused in games.

For games where directionality is critical to performance, that can also mean more than just immersion — it can be a deciding factor in their outcome. In first-person shooters like Fortnite, for example, a 7.1 setup will provide you with more spatial awareness. You’ll find it easier to detect sounds like footsteps, grenades, and the direction of enemy fire in the distance — awareness that can win or lose you a match.

Further reading: Best gaming headsets

That’s the theory. Complicating factors can sometimes come into play, like the quality of the audio you’re getting and how your device’s software affects your sound. Like all hardware decisions, you may need to make compromises to personalize your experience; you’d never want to trade a great-quality 5.1 setup for a poor-quality 7.1 one, for example.

Owning a 7.1 setup doesn’t prevent you playing games that only support 5.1 surround sound. Worst case, you’ll just need to set the audio device to side-surround 5.1. That’s if Windows 11 doesn’t automatically detect and optimize your audio settings already.

A 7.1 setup is also going to be the better option if you use your PC for watching movies or TV — since multi-directional sound will enhance the cinematic experience.

There are now plenty of services to enjoy 7.1 surround sound with. Five that support Dolby Atmos or its competitor codec DTS:X for 7.1 surround sound, include Netflix, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Walmart’s Vudu.

Why you might still opt for a 5.1 setup

If you’ve already got a 5.1 surround sound setup you can rest easy that it’s still going to sound great for games. 5.1 surround sound is still superior to a standard 2.0 setup since the four additional channels add a lot of extra detail to the soundstage.

What’s more, despite 7.1 now being rapidly adopted, 5.1 is still a very common format. Devices that support 5.1 surround sound are also a lot cheaper, so it’s the best option if your budget doesn’t stretch very far. It’s also reassuring to know that with some 5.1 speaker models you can upgrade to a 7.1 one later by simply adding extra speaker units.

Another thing to think about is the space you’re in. If you’re taking the speaker option, a 5.1 speaker setup will work better for small to medium rooms (those measuring 350 square feet or less) where it can deliver a more balanced sound.

Creative

In fact, the extra channels in a 7.1 setup can be overkill in a small space and actually muddy your audio. If the space is cluttered, a 5.1 setup is also preferable since you won’t have to place as many speakers.

We hope you are now better informed about 5.1 versus 7.1 surround sound. It’s worth noting that there are other factors of your gaming audio to consider, like the placement of your speakers and the software you are using. So, be sure to take the time to investigate these things too for best results.