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Surround sound requires more than just a pair of speakers at the front with a center channel for dialogue - you have to have satellite speakers that can be placed at the sides of the listener to create the needed ambience. The physical reality of a room directly affects whether putting up such speakers are possible. The room will answer whether there's a wall on either side that can be used to mount them or whether they'll have to be put on speaker stands. And what about the wiring going from these surround speakers back to the amplifier or audio system being used? Will it be going under carpets, around baseboards and on walls? Even if wireless surround speakers are available, what about the power plug that will have to go to the wireless receiver and the wires going from it to the speakers?
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And what about the costs for getting all these speakers lined up - the costs for the speaker stands and the wiring and all the home improvement stuff for keeping everything in place on the walls, etc.?
As you can see, having surround speakers does more than just take up space, it requires the room to be adapted to their use. Is this something that can be done in your living room or bedroom or den? Will the wiring cause complications with pets and children? Will your significant other get annoyed at the idea of cables running up walls? All of this must be taken into account and decided upon first.
