Last Updated on March 8, 2021 by
Speakers, also known as soundbars, are systems to elevate, enhance, and upgrade the sound in an entertainment center. 2.1 speakers are soundbars with two speakers, a left and right channel and a common sub-woofer. 5.1 soundbars have five speakers, left and right fronts, front center and left, right surround and a common subwoofer. The choice of a 2.1 or 5.1 speakers depends on an indiviadual’s taste and preferences.
How Do 2.1 And 5.1 Speakers Work?
2.1 speakers are considered as the most basic level of an external sound system. They use stereo sound instead of surround sound with an additional bass provided by the subwoofer. This bass makes them a step ahead of other sound systems. Most 2.1 speakers found in the market are computer aimed instead of home theaters. Most home theater users buy surround sounds to complement their speakers. They are suitable for people who want to go big volumes of music.
5.1 speakers are more complex than 2.1 speakers since they have three extra speakers (a center speaker and two rear speakers) totaling five. The center speaker is for voices and dialogue. In contrast, the two rear speakers are surround-sounds whose purpose is to output extra sounds. The two front speakers act like normal speakers to output normal sound. Generally, they provide an immersive sound depending on quality and manufacturers. 5.1 speakers are the most common soundbars used on streaming services.
Similarities Between 2.1 Speakers And 5.1 Speakers
1. Both soundbars have Bluetooth capability. They do not require a wiring connection to function. The use of Bluetooth in these speakers makes it easy to connect and assemble since there are no bunches of cables and wires required.
2. Both speakers use surround-sound speakers to alter the angles and direction of sound waves. Sound waves concentration depends on the direction surround speakers are facing, which is a common feature in both speakers. For 2.1 speakers, surround speakers are inbuilt, making angle alteration difficult.
3. They both feature a subwoofer, which response to low frequencies. They provide extra bass and sound enhancement.
4. Both soundbars can be paired with other devices such as phones, laptops and computers. This means that one can connect them to these devices to play music without using cables.
5. One can customize both speakers’ sound by deciding on the angles, direction and number of surround speakers to connect. For example, one can use a single surround system and avoid connecting with others. One can also decide which position to place the surround speakers depending on where they want to concentrate sound.
6. They are both used to enhance and upgrade sounds from a TV, phone or computer to enhance entertainment.
Differences Between 2.1 Speakers And 5.1 Speakers
The first difference is the most obvious one that 2.1 soundbars have two speakers and a sub-woofer, whereas 5.1 soundbars have five speakers and a sub-woofer.
2.1 soundbars are cheap as their prices are as low as less than 100 dollars for a high-quality speaker. 5.1 speakers are expensive, with their prices even doubling that of 2.1 speakers.
2.1 speakers are compatible with almost all TV types, whereas 5.1 speakers are selective on TVs to connect. The difference incompatibility with televisions makes 2.1 more popular and preferable than 5.1 speakers.
2.1 speakers do not provide surround speakers’ sound as they do not have extra surround speakers. The extra left surround and right surround speakers in the 5.1 soundbars enhance the surround sound creating an immersive audio experience.
2.1 speakers are easy to install as they only have two speakers. On the other hand, 5.1 speakers have five speakers, which makes their installation more complex than 2.1 speakers
Summary Of Differences Between 2.1 And 5.1 Speakers
| 2.1 speakers | 5.1 speakers |
| Easy to install | Installation is complex |
| No surround speaker’s sound | Soundbars enhance surround-sound |
| Compatible with most tv types | Compatible with selected tv types |
| Have two speakers and a subwoofer | Have five speakers and a subwoofer |
| Cheap to purchase | Prices are high |
Benefits Of 5.1 Speakers Over 2.1 Speakers
5.1 speakers are readily available in the TV and film market, mostly on Blu-Ray and other streaming services. 2.1 speakers are less optimized and not available in most home theaters.
They can be further boosted into a wide range of soundbars using digital processing tools for audio such as Dolby Pro Logic. On the other hand, 2.1 speakers cannot be upgraded as they use traditional systems and stereo.
They have a wide range of compatible products in the market. These are materials that can be used to boost or upgrade them, such as additional surround speakers. 2.1 speakers lack compatible products as most of their channels are inbuilt.
5.1 speakers have massive products in the market due to their wide range in quality and manufacturers. One has multiple choices on which 5.1 speakers to purchase depending on their taste and preference. Their prices range from cheap to very expensive depending on the quality. There are many manufacturers of 5.1 speakers, creating a wide range of varieties than 2.1 speakers.
They have to surround systems enabling one to have control over the sound. It can be controlled by changing the surrounding sound’s position and direction depending on where one wants a high sound concentration. 2.1 speakers lack surround systems hence limited control of sound quality.
Factors To Consider When Buying 2.1 Or 5.1 Speakers
Some major factors should be considered when deciding whether to get a 2.1 speaker or a 5.1 speaker. They include;
The Durability Of The Speaker System
Durability is an important factor since a good quality speaker should last for years. One needs to consider a system that can upgrade instead of replacing it with a new one. In this case, a 5.1 speaker will be the best as it is easier to get entry-level systems for an upgrade.
Speakers Calibration
Calibrating and labeling of speakers is also vital. It is important because most speakers are similarly created with identical features. In many speaker systems, it is impossible to tell the difference between surround speakers and rear speakers as they all look alike. Some unique features that can be used to tell the difference would be an added advantage. A poor cable connection of these speakers may cause electrical accidents. In this case, most 5.1 speakers have calibration features, with some internal while others are external.
Space Availability
Available space and room size are other factors to consider because all the sound systems should be accommodated without creating unnecessary sound. 2.1 systems are best when a small room is involved as they have few features. If the room is large and can accommodate additional surround speakers, then 5.1 speakers are the best choice.
Price Of The Speakers
Price is a reasonable factor to consider when deciding whether to get 2.1 speakers or 5.1 speakers. 2.1 speakers are generally cheap and affordable, with good quality models going for less than 100 dollars. On the other hand, 5.1 speakers are expensive though cheaper models in the market depend on quality. 2.1 speakers may be cheap, but they do not provide an upgrade option. This will call for a new sound system if an upgrade is required. On the contrary, 5.1 speakers have a wide range of products that can be used to upgrade therm.
Compatibility
Both speakers connect to the TV by use of an HDMI cable. One needs to ensure that their TV has an HDMI port and supports a soundbar system. Most TVs are compatible with 5.1 speakers, which calls for additional Blu-ray players. With this, one can connect 5.1 speakers to experience the surround speaker’s sound. Their compatibility issues make people prefer using 2.1 speakers, whereas others opt to invest in a good quality TV. With this, they can use soundbars of their choice.
Ease Of Installation
5.1 speakers can be very challenging when setting up the soundbars is concerned. They have five channels that require a connection, whereas 2.1 speakers have only two speakers. They can be easily installed as they do not have specific locations. In the 5.1 speakers, surround speakers are separately placed from the rear speakers to ensure the required sound output is achieved. Both speakers have Bluetooth connection. Those who have TVs with Bluetooth connections shouldn’t worry about installation issues as their connection is automatic.
Why Use 2.1 Or 5.1 Speakers?
Speakers allow one to create a high definition sound to support the television speakers’ low profile audio. They help in creating a home theater feeling without detracting the look and feel of a television. Both speakers are portable and can be used for outdoor activities to connect to their phones to play music. Both speakers are of low-profile and can be easily packed up for use in another room.
Conclusion
Many speakers do not guarantee the best sound output. Some 5.1 speakers are from low-quality manufacturers and produce low-quality sounds despite having five channels. On the other hand, some 2.1 speakers include high-quality inbuilt speakers creating excellent sound output. It all depends on the speaker’s drivers and also how well the soundbar is enclosed. Apart from sound quality, other factors such as room size, price compatibility and ease of installation are considered when deciding which speaker is better between the two.
