When we buying a gaming headset, we always heard about the 5.1 channels headset and 7.1 channels headset, but what do they mean? And what is the different?

First, we have to know what is Sound Channel?

Sound Channel:

Sound Channel is a mutually independent audio signal that is captured or played back in different spatial locations during recording or playback, so the number of channels is also the number of sources when the sound is recorded or the number of number of speakers corresponding to playback.

In addition to the channel, we also need to know the sound card. why? That's because the number of channels supported by the sound card is one of the important indicators for measuring the grade of the sound card, from mono to the latest surround sound.

Sound Card:

Sound Card is also called audio card: it is the most basic component of multimedia technology and is a kind of hardware that realizes the conversion of sonic/digital signals.

Its basic function is to convert the original sound signals from microphones, tapes and optical discs, and then output to sound equipment such as headphones, speakers, amplifiers, recorders, etc, or make a wonderful sound from the instrument through the Music Device Digital Interface (MIDI).

Now we all know the Sound Channel and Sound Card, then let us to know what is Stereo surround sound, 5.1 channel and 7.1 channel!

As mentioned above, the number of channels and the number of sources when recording sounds or the number of speakers corresponding to playback are related. So Let's take a look at the relationship!

Mono:

Mono is a relatively primitive form of sound reproduction. It mixes audio signals from different orientations and records them by the recording equipment, and then plays back by a speaker.

For example, a concert recording, the different instrument sounds coming from all aspects of the stage, are received by a microphone (or received by several microphones and then mixed together), combined into an audio current and recorded. The sound is also emitted by a speaker during playback. So We can only hear the comprehensive sound of different instruments in all directions, but we can't tell which direction the instrument sound comes from.

Stereo Sound:

Two channels have two sound channels, and the sound is assigned to two separate channels during recording. When the sound is played, two speakers at an angle are placed in the space, and each speaker is individually provided with a signal from one channel. When people hear the sound, they can judge the specific position of the sound source according to the phase difference between the left ear and the right ear.

This technique is especially useful in music appreciation, where the listener can clearly distinguish the direction in which the various instruments come from, making the music more imaginative and closer to the spot.

5.1 Channel:

The 5.1 channel usually has 6 sounds and 6 different signals. 5.1 indicates that there are left main channel, right main channel, center channel, left surround channel, right surround channel, and bass channel. Give us a sense of three-dimensionality.

5.1 channel the sound system comes from 4.1 surround, except that it adds a center unit. This center unit is responsible for transmitting sound signals below 80 Hz. It is beneficial to enhance the human voice when watching the movie, and concentrate the dialogue in the middle of the entire sound field to increase the overall effect.

7.1 Channel:

7.1 channel has two surround channels more than 5.1 channel, 7.1 channel has four surround channels, left front surround, right front surround, left rear surround, right rear surround. The main expansion and the bass are the same, the difference is around the top. To put it simply, a sound field with a relatively balanced front and rear sound field is built around the listener, and the rear sound field channel is added.

At the same time, it is different from the ordinary 6.1 channel sound field, because the 7.1 channel has two-way rear center, and the maximum effect of the two-way rear center is to prevent the listener have a acoustic field deviation because they are not sitting in the best position.

Now you know what is 5.1 channel and 7.1 channel? If you have any other questions, please leave a message for me.