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What to do with a seven channel amplifier?

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jedrider

I ask this question, or similar, occasionally. Basically, it's the same question as is 'surround cinema' of any value unless one is trying to reproduce a 'theater' experience (which to me always sounds completely artificial)?

Edits: 08/25/24

Follow Ups:

OK. What to do with ELEVEN channels? - jedrider 08:25:02 10/04/24 (1)
How does one use ELEVEN channels in a home system?

How does one fit ELEVEN loudspeakers in one room, even a Great Room as newer houses are having?
- Eleven speakers? - grantv 15:15:14 10/04/24 (0)
  If people like 11 channels, good for them (and manufacturers).
If you don't care for home theater mix.... - budget fi 16:47:52 08/27/24 (3)
.... any other mix through seven speakers would probably be much worse than stereo. I enjoy music mixed in surround but with the popularity of streaming and downloads for music it seems surround music has taken a back seat.

Edits: 08/27/24
- any other mix through seven speakers would probably be much worse than stereo... - jedrider 08:20:04 08/28/24 (2)
  Well, if the original mix is stereo music.
  
  However, it seems to me, much 'theater' content is actually created in multi-channel, so the stereo mixdown must be paid attention to and if it is not, well, you're missing what the original creator created, such as artificial sounding center channel and surround channel content, but me thinks they are relying upon too many channels. Oh well, as I'm not always satisfied with their mixdown to stereo.
  - Maybe I misunderstood your question. - budget fi 18:06:45 08/30/24 (1)
    I love a good surround mix. For me the key is the source. Some channels like Netflix offer true 5.1 and 7.1 mix as intended by the creators. Other broadcast are only stereo and that's when trying to create a surround mix doesn't sound as good.
    
    As for your original question "what to do with 7 channel amplifier", get a nice surround processor with quality speakers and a good sub. With proper setup it will sound great.
    - Yes. Thanks. - jedrider 12:32:10 09/20/24 (0)
      That's what I suspect.
      
      I think I can do 5 surround channels and 2 auxiliary channels (like multi-space/room).
      
      Oops, I'm short two surround speakers. Looking for those that I think I will hide behind the TV, of all places. The last thing I want is to feel like I'm in a theater as I hate the artificial ambience they try to create.

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