Final answer:
3D sound and surround sound are different; 3D sound aims to reproduce sound in all three dimensions, including up/down, while surround sound focuses on a multi-speaker setup around the listener, lacking the vertical dimension.
Step-by-step explanation:
Is 3D sound different from surround sound? Yes, they are distinct concepts. 3D sound, also known as spatial sound, is intended to replicate the natural way humans perceive sound in a three-dimensional space, taking into account not only the left/right and front/back dimensions, but also the up/down dimension. This means that sound can be perceived as coming from above or below the listener, creating a more immersive experience.
Surround sound, on the other hand, typically involves a multi-speaker setup where sound is delivered from several discrete channels positioned around the listener, primarily on a single plane, to create an immersive environment. While surround sound can offer an enveloping experience, it doesn't recreate the vertical aspect of sound placement that 3D sound aims to achieve.