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Will 5.1 be obsolete in a few years?

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I'm somewhat worried that the newer formats like 6.1,7.1,9.1 etc will displace my current 5.1 set up and am wondering if it will be obsolete. Are a lot of inmates here selling there 5.1 processors and going to the new and improved versions? The market is changing so fast these day's. Is the audio side of things(SACD and DVDA) going to go with more than 5.1? If so I guess I'm screwed with only a 5.1 system with my Yammie 2095 and current dvd player. At least the amps I've bought will be able to make the transition, I hope.
Jim P.

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Re: Will 5.1 be obsolete in a few years? PJ 03:36:16 10/18/00 (0)
5.1 has the potential to sound better than EX/ES IMO, just as 4.1 has the potential to sound better than 5.1, IF your mains are up to.
Good mains will image a centre channel much more seamlessly than a seperate centre channel will.
The same applies to rears, but most people's rears are not up to scratch and hence, to them, EX/ES makes a difference...
it already is... chris e. 05:09:20 10/12/00 (5)
but this doesn't mean that you can't fully enjoy your system as is. This is why everyone is stressing backwards compatibility with the various new formats (DDex, DTS EX, etc.EX). The nice thing is that you can always add an external processor to pick up much of these effects if you wish (I have a Krell HTS and I added the ADA add-on unit for the EX effects along with an extra pair of speakers (for the back channel) and an amp. It was not a big deal to do it, and I enjoy the addition of the additional speakers for all listening (EX or not). However, EX doesn't render the system obsolete just as you can still enjoy dolby surround on a 5.1 system. Check out the recent issue of Widescreen Review for a further discussion of these various formats. My understanding is that the only potential problem will be some of the emerging formats surrounding (no pun intended) DTS.
- info on ADA? Jim P. 03:50:55 10/13/00 (4)
  Where did you get the ADA unit? I have the amp and speakers and this would seemingly be pretty simple. How much does the ADA cost?
  I don't want to be limited if the sound is worth it as I've not heard 7.1 yet.
  Thanks,
  Jim P.
  - Re: info on ADA? chris e. 04:59:42 10/13/00 (3)
    I got the ADA from a local dealer -- you can call ADA and find out if they have someone local in your area (I don't know if they allow for internet/mail order sales). The ADA processor was $400 as I recall (there is an alternative made by Circle Surround, I think, that is $300 -- check Widescreen issues from last spring because they did a full review of the Circle Surround unit) and it is very simple to use and install. You just take your surround outputs from the 5.1 system and run them into the processor, and it provides outputs for two side surrounds as well as 1 or 2 back channels (they run in mono in any case -- I use 2 backs just to get a bit more uniform sound) that are then routed to your amp. The ADA even has a relatively simple calibration procedure so that you can set the levels of the sides and back using a sound (spl) meter. Once it is set, you can just forget it although there is an option to turn it off and then you'll just be running a straight 5.1 system (it routes the signal to just the side surrounds as I recall -- I just leave it on all of the time).
    The sound? It is very nice and a reasonable improvement beyond 5.1 for the coherence and wrap around of the soundfield. On a few disks like The Haunting it is VERY effective (a 5.1 ex disk), and you even get some nice "over the head" (sound seems to come from directly behind over your head to the front channels) effects (e.g., Austin Powers 2 scene in the disco).
    I had this contrasted with a 7.1 Meridian system that I used to have (the Meridian did an extra set of side surrounds several years ago) and the Krell-ADA system is much more convincing in my view. Mind you, I use 2 pairs of Martin Logan SL3's for my side and back speakers and they are very good at creating the enveloping effect.
    Is it worth it? It depends if you have the extra 400 to spend -- I find it worth it on all disks, not just ex ones because it creates this more comprehensive field.
    - ADA info Jim P. 02:34:01 10/15/00 (2)
      Thanks for the info and I'll definately look into the ADA processor. Sounds like it might save me some $ and be an improvement to boot. I really don't feel like telling the wife that I need a new receiver or pre/pro unit.
      - and the ada is a small box... chris e. 12:06:26 10/16/00 (1)
        
        In Reply to: ADA info posted by Jim P. on October 15, 2000 at 02:34:01:
        
        Size counts (as they say) -- and the ada is small so it doesn't look like it must have cost much. I know, not terribly logical, but the spouse acceptance factor is always an important one.
        
        Thanks Chris, I appreciate the response nad the WAF argument!!! Jim P. 02:45:43 10/17/00 (0)
        
        In Reply to: and the ada is a small box... posted by chris e. on October 16, 2000 at 12:06:26:
        
        I think, hope, that the ADA device will keeo me current in my progression through the H/T maze. I live on a "fixed" income through the VA and trying to convince my wife I "need" a new proccesor will probably get me commited! LOL!
        JIm P.
Not likely with DVD-A coming out using it but .... John C. - Aussie 14:24:48 10/11/00 (0)
.... processors will continue to change at an alarming (& expensive) rate so they can cope with 6 channel SACD when DSD out players emerge, DVD-a etc. I expect to see more flexible card based DAC's like the Meridian will emerge just as card based multi channel amplifiers will (Plinius are rumoured to have one coming out next year).
Peace at AA
John
Re: Will 5.1 be obsolete in a few years? RAW 08:25:38 10/11/00 (0)
NO, NO, NO.
You have nice hardware. DTV's audio standard is 5.1. If you have a DISH with 5.1 output, your playing 5.1. Also, if you have a small room or medium size room, the 5.1 will play nicely. EX is an extension to 5.1 by adding rear speakers, but there isn't a lot of software utilizing the EX. Most of the programming you'll hear is in 5.1 or pro-logic (maybe some DTS). Now I have a Lexicon unit that can play the EX but I only have 2 discs with the EX, I have a large room, so I need the extra speakers. If you really want to hear a differance, try treating the walls with accoustic material. The room is where you'll really hear a differance, aside from the speakers you use. My pro-logic sounds better than most people's 5.1 because of my room accoustics. Add a sub if you don't have one. One other thing, hardwood floors look nice but sound bad, so add a throw rug to soften the room. In other words, enjoy what you have don't worry and put that money into buying a DVD or CD (or invest it while the market is running stagnant).

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