By Don Labriola
(July 6, 2005)

Your average 5.1-channel audio setup may sound great, but today's 7.1 technology pushes immersive sound even further. The two additional channels better produce sounds that travel from front to rear or pan from side to side behind your head.

For the full effect, you'll need a 7.1-channel sound card and a game that supports a 7.1-audio API. Setting it all up can be challenging, but with proper planning and attention to detail, you can achieve great results.