surround sound

Meaning

Surround sound is an audio system that uses multiple speakers placed around a room to make the listener feel enveloped by the audio. It creates a three-dimensional acoustic environment, which is highly popular for movies, video games, and concerts. The term is used in both home entertainment and professional cinema contexts.

Examples

• The movie's action scenes are incredible when you hear them in surround sound.

  The movie's action scenes are incredible when you hear them in surround sound.

• We installed five speakers and a subwoofer to get true surround sound.

  We installed five speakers and a subwoofer to get true surround sound.

• Most modern video games are mixed specifically for surround sound systems.

  Most modern video games are mixed specifically for surround sound systems.

• I love going to the cinema because the surround sound makes the experience so realistic.

  I love going to the cinema because the surround sound makes the experience so realistic.

• Does this cheap soundbar actually support virtual surround sound?

  Does this cheap soundbar actually support virtual surround sound.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I bought a surround sound speaker.

  ✓ I bought a surround sound system.

  'Surround sound' requires multiple speakers to work, so you cannot have a single speaker unless referring to the entire system or a specialized soundbar.

• ✗ The film has a great surround voice.

  ✓ The film has great surround sound.

  In English, 'sound' is the correct term for the overall audio mix, whereas 'voice' only refers to human speech.

Related Expressions

Practice

• To get the best movie experience, you should set up a ___ system in your living room.

  💡 An audio system using multiple speakers around the listener.

  Show answer

  surround sound

• I could hear the helicopter flying behind me thanks to the ___.

  💡 3D audio effect.

  Show answer

  surround sound