Difference btwn home theatre and surround

[dankogrg]

I want to buy a surround system for my PC. What's the difference between a home theater and surround speakers because on te webstores those r 2 separate categories? Also my mobo says it is designed for 7.1 surround, does it mean i can't use 5.1 on it?

 

[derekullo]

Home theater may include speakers and a device for playing songs on those speakers, like a cd player.

Surround speakers will be just the speakers.

On newegg I see stand alone speakers on both sides, so in that respect there is no difference.

Simply go by the speaker specifications and reviews to find the one you like.

 

[why_wolf]

It means you can use up to 7.1. You can use any variation beneath that if you want.

Have to know which store. Everyone uses those terms interchangeably as far as I've ever seen.

 

[IInuyasha74]

I've also seen those terms sometimes used interchangeably.

Honestly though, I'd look for a used system. Those systems can be expensive, but my brother and I both got nice used 5.1 surround sound systems with a receiver. Both use optical SPDIF for the audio and sound great, and we only paid around $20-$30. Just a lot less expensive that way.