Surround Sound vs. Distributed Audio – What is the Difference?

When we consult with homeowners and ask what they are looking for in a home audio system, they almost always say “surround sound.” While this can be what they’re looking for, they may want something else entirely. Once we dive deeper and find out that they’re looking to have music and speakers in every room of their home, we quickly realize that what they really want is “distributed audio.” But what’s the difference between the two?

Surround sound, like its name, is an audio system that uses three or four speakers to surround you with the sound for a more realistic effect. With surround sound speakers, you receive a more immersive experience, making you feel as if you are at a movie theater, game, or concert without leaving the comfort of your own home.

Distributed audio, on the other hand, is where your audio system delivers audio to several speakers rather than just a few. We install multiple speakers throughout your home to deliver stereo-style music to different areas of your house. Doing this makes it easier for you to listen to music at the same level in each room. Because the sound is more evenly distributed, you do not have to have one speaker louder than another.

With hundreds of speakers and sound systems on the market, it’s important to know which product(s) fit the lifestyle you’re looking for. We offer a variety of speakers from Origin Acoustics, Monitor Audio, Triad, TDG Audio, Sonance, Sonos, Paradigm, JL Audio, AtlasIED, Soundtube Entertainment, James Loudspeaker, LeonSpeakers, Rockustics Inc., and more that can provide you with the complete home audio experience to fit your needs.

With over 50 expert technicians and 30 service vehicles, we are proud to provide the Southern Nevada community with revolutionary, custom-designed solutions for commercial and residential home automation and security solutions. For more information on home audio systems, or to schedule a consultation with one of our System Designers, call or text us at 702-648-7474.