The number before the period is the total number of surround channels besides the subwoofer. You will want one speaker for each channel for the best surround effects. The number after the period signifies the number of subwoofers (usually 1). In a 5.1 system you'll have a center speaker, 2 front speakers, 2 rear speakers, and a subwoofer. A 6.1 system will have 2 fronts, 2 rears, a center front, a center rear, and a subwoofer.

Each number represents the total number of speakers in the system. For example a 5.1 surround sound would have: (1) Center Channel speaker that you hear the charecters talking through. (2) front speakers for left and right audio. Imagine hearing all of the back ground music through these as well as the sound effects of a helicopter or ambulence heading your way. (2) Rear speakers for left and right audio. These are used for sound effects in the background. As regards the ".1"... This simply is the subwoofer that gives you the bass for your sound effects. Lets take the 6.1 surround sound system now: Everything is the same as the 5.1, except... There is an additional rear center channel speaker. Did you know they even have 7.1 surround sound now? Everything remains the same for the 5.1 surround sound. Now instead of a rear center channel speaker... There are (2) middle speakers for left and right. These are centered between the front left and right & the rear left and right speakers. Who knows what they will come up with next? F. Cheshire http://www.affordablehometheater.frank-marketing.com http://www.securitysystemconsulting.com