How many people agree the price of cinema tickets and snacks has become rather ridiculous?

At Cable Smart, we’ve seen the world of surround sound and home cinema set-ups grow from simple 5.1 setups into fully immersive Dolby Atmos experiences that completely transform how you watch and listen.

Whether you’re planning your first home cinema set-up or refining an existing setup, understanding the different surround sound configurations — and what’s required during first fix — will help you make the right decisions early on.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

When you see terms like 5.1, 7.2, 5.2.2, or 7.4.4, they’re referring to the number of speakers and subwoofers in the system:

• The first number = ear-level speakers (front, centre, surround)
• The second number = subwoofers
• The third number (if shown) = overhead or height speakers (used for Dolby Atmos)

So, a 5.1 system has 5 main speakers and 1 subwoofer, while a 7.4.4 system delivers 7 surround speakers, 4 subwoofers and 4 height speakers — for total, enveloping immersion.

5.1 Surround Sound — A Strong Foundation

A 5.1 setup is the cornerstone of surround sound and a great place to start for most home cinema spaces. It consists of:

• Front Left, Centre and Right speakers – every set up has a Front LCR channel of speakers – this can also be achieved by an LCR soundbar, or a single centre channel soundbar or speaker and 2 Left and Right speakers.
• Rear Left and Right surround speakers
• One subwoofer for the low-end punch

This configuration gives you that cinematic experience without requiring an overly complex first fix. It’s clean, balanced, and adaptable to a wide range of room sizes.

Cable Smart tip: During the first fix, we always allow flexibility for subwoofer placement and future upgrades. Even if you’re starting simple, the infrastructure should never limit your options later.

7.2 Surround Sound — Expanding the Experience

A 7.2 system takes immersion up a level, adding two extra surround speakers and a second subwoofer for smoother bass response and a more enveloping sound field.

Perfect for larger spaces or dedicated home cinema rooms, this layout helps distribute audio more evenly — so everyone in the room gets the same impact, not just the central seat.

Cable Smart tip: Subwoofer placement is key. We design rooms with symmetrical bass distribution and plan for balanced cabling routes that suit both performance and aesthetics.

5.2.2 Surround Sound — Introducing Dolby Atmos

For those ready to step into the world of Dolby Atmos, a 5.2.2 setup adds two height channels to the classic 5.1 layout. These overhead speakers create an incredible sense of depth, letting sound move above and around you — think helicopters flying overhead or rain falling from above.

Cable Smart tip: If you’re building or renovating, always cable for ceiling speakers during first fix — even if you’re not fitting them right away. Adding them later without the wiring in place can be a messy, costly job.

7.4.4 Surround Sound — The Ultimate Cinema Experience

This is the pinnacle. A 7.4.4 setup delivers full Dolby Atmos performance, using seven surround speakers, four subwoofers, and four ceiling speakers. It’s what we design for dedicated home cinema rooms where every detail is engineered for accuracy and immersion.

You’ll feel sound move seamlessly from floor to ceiling, front to back — the kind of experience that makes you forget you’re even in your own home.

Cable Smart tip: With a system of this scale, detailed first fix planning is essential. We map out conduit routes, power points, and equipment locations to ensure both performance and practicality. Acoustics and isolation are just as important as speaker choice.

Why First Fix Planning Matters

The first fix stage sets the foundation for the performance of your home cinema. It’s the point where we run all speaker, network, and power cables — before the walls are closed. Getting this stage right means the rest of the build runs smoothly, and upgrades down the line are straightforward.