5.1 system

[Good4it]

Should the rear speakers be "surround “ or “rear surround “?

 

[JerryLove]

I believe:
In a 7.x system: If they are behind you: they are "rear surround". If they are beside you, they are "surround".
Though in a 5.1 system; there's only "surround".

 

[Old Onkyo]

Surround

 

[lovinthehd]

They're not "rear" speakers unless they're rear or back surrounds (7ch stuff as noted). https://www.dolby.com/us/en/guide/surround-sound-speaker-setup/5-1-setup.html

 

[markw]

Semantics: The 4 & 5 channels are "side" surrounds and are meant to be positioned along side along the side and/or slightly behind the listening position.

Channels 6 and 7 are "rear" surrounds and are meant to be positioned on the back wall a few feet behind the listening position.

 

[lovinthehd]

I have seen older 5.1 manuals that refer to surrounds as rears as well....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Surrounds at the side. Rear surrounds at the rear.

Like this.

 

[mtrycrafts]

I have seen older 5.1 manuals that refer to surrounds as rears as well....

Yes, especially if one doesn't have good side wall locations as I don't either so is on the back wall as surrounds.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Should the rear speakers be "surround “ or “rear surround “?

If you don't have side walls or good mounting side locations, then it is on back wall as surrounds. I have this.