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RE: 6.1 or 7.1, is it worth doing more than 5.1?

Posted by David Aiken (A) on December 12, 2007 at 13:25:10

In Reply to: 6.1 or 7.1, is it worth doing more than 5.1? posted by kvk on December 12, 2007 at 08:43:51:

For a start we need to distinguish between 2 cases: discs with 6.1/7.1 channel sound where the extra speakers are playing genuine separate channels, and discs with 5.1 channel sound or fewer channels where the extra speakers are playing a synthesised channel. I've got a 6.1 setup and it certainly sounds slightly better with discs that have 6.1 /7.1 channel soundtracks (only a small proportion of DVDs but that may change with the hi-def formats) but synthesising the extra channel from a 5.1 disc does seem to add something with some discs. The difference is small. I tend to swap between listening to 5.1 soundtracks in 5.1 and in 6.1 every now and then, but I always listen to 6.1/7.1 soundtracks in 6.1.

Secondly, if you get a 7.1 channel receiver, you usually get some other advantages as well so it may well be worth springing the extra cash for a 7.1 receiver even if you only go 5.1 with the speaker setup. Some 7.1 receivers allow you to use the extra channels for bi-amping the front L & R speakers or for speakers in a different room (second zone) and that can be a further benefit.

Third, room size is important. The extra speakers need to be behind you and you need to be a certain distance in front of them. That distance will depend on the speaker to a large degree. If your viewing/listening position is close to the wall behind you you will need to move the viewing position forward closer to the screen in order to fit the added speakers in, or give up on the idea.

5.1 is perfectly adequate but with the right soundtracks the extra channel/s can make a small but nice improvement. A 7.1 receiver will probably offer you several advantages over a 5.1 receiver and I'd probably consider the receiver anyway and start with a 5.1 setup. You can then always add an extra rear surround or two at a later stage if you decide to give it a go.



David Aiken

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