Is 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound better for gaming? [Video]

Your sound can really affect how immersive your gaming experience can be, which, understandably, makes it critical to choose the best surround sound setup — 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound.

Each has their pros and cons. But for pure sound immersion in games, there’s really no comparison: A 7.1 setup, either via speakers or a surround sound headset is your best option and here’s why…

5.1 versus 7.1 surround sound: What’s the difference?

If you take a speaker setup as an example, the difference between 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound is the number of speakers you get. A 5.1 speaker setup utilizes six speakers (five speakers and a subwoofer), whereas in a 7.1 speaker setup there are two extra speakers in the rear (so seven speakers and a subwoofer all up).

In a virtual surround sound setup with a headset, there are obviously no speakers, but the audio is designed to reflect a 5.1 or 7.1 setup with …