Loves2Watch
09-27-2009, 11:06 AM
This is not about lossy vs. lossless or anything other than comparing the 5.1, 6.1 and 7.1 surround systems for home theater.
I have been involved with using, testing and auditioning stereo and surround since 1970's including the days of Quadraphonic.
So many times a day I read about and am asked questions on things such as - Do I need to upgrade my receiver to 7.1? Isn't 7.1 better than 5.1? Where can I find a 5.1 receiver as I don't have room for the extra speakers in a 7.1 system? and so on.
So here I will attempt to answer those questions as well as many others and explain the reality in layman's terms.
To paraphrase a fellow colleague - I've tried/used/setup every configuration of surround sound imaginable over the years (including Quadraphonic) 4.0, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 with a variety of speaker positions. There are very few true 7.1 channel mixes, and even when there are I haven't found the experience to be worthwhile to upgrade over a properly set up 5.1 system when the speakers are placed in accordance with the ITU ITU-R BS.775 recommendation. (See diagram below)
Side note: In most cases, unless you have a true 7.1 mix, the only difference between 6.1 and 7.1 is that in a 7.1 system the 6th channel is divided into 2 channels which are identical.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8533/itu.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/i/itu.jpg/)
Also see here - http://www.highdefforum.com/speakers-surround-sound/83182-surround-sound-system-speaker-placement-guide.html
7.1 systems can be of some benefit in rooms that are oddly shaped or that can't be setup according to the above mentioned ITU recommended configuration. While I don't think 7.1 is an improvement that warrants replacing or upgrading your current equipment, it does have it's uses.
Also something to note is that when your amp is only driving 5 speakers instead of 7, there is more power to go around and if you, like me, like to listen at reference levels there will be less chance of your amp being driven to clipping (distortion) which will give you better sound.
The technology trends are using added presence with height and width speakers. Although nice sounding in a perfect environment it is just not feasible for the everyday joe and a costly endeavor as new equipment and speakers are required.
Does 9.1, 8.1, 7.1 and 6.1 sound better than 5.1? Maybe but only in an ideal, perfectly setup environment and in a limited number of circumstances. Will 5.1 still perform well? Absolutely and it will, in most cases be all that it needed to hear superior surround sound.
BTW: Any modern 7.1, 8.1, or 9.1 receiver can be configured to use 5.1 quite easily so even if you just purchased a 7.1 channel HTiB you can set it up to be a 5.1 system.
I have been involved with using, testing and auditioning stereo and surround since 1970's including the days of Quadraphonic.
So many times a day I read about and am asked questions on things such as - Do I need to upgrade my receiver to 7.1? Isn't 7.1 better than 5.1? Where can I find a 5.1 receiver as I don't have room for the extra speakers in a 7.1 system? and so on.
So here I will attempt to answer those questions as well as many others and explain the reality in layman's terms.
To paraphrase a fellow colleague - I've tried/used/setup every configuration of surround sound imaginable over the years (including Quadraphonic) 4.0, 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 with a variety of speaker positions. There are very few true 7.1 channel mixes, and even when there are I haven't found the experience to be worthwhile to upgrade over a properly set up 5.1 system when the speakers are placed in accordance with the ITU ITU-R BS.775 recommendation. (See diagram below)
Side note: In most cases, unless you have a true 7.1 mix, the only difference between 6.1 and 7.1 is that in a 7.1 system the 6th channel is divided into 2 channels which are identical.
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/8533/itu.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/i/itu.jpg/)
Also see here - http://www.highdefforum.com/speakers-surround-sound/83182-surround-sound-system-speaker-placement-guide.html
7.1 systems can be of some benefit in rooms that are oddly shaped or that can't be setup according to the above mentioned ITU recommended configuration. While I don't think 7.1 is an improvement that warrants replacing or upgrading your current equipment, it does have it's uses.
Also something to note is that when your amp is only driving 5 speakers instead of 7, there is more power to go around and if you, like me, like to listen at reference levels there will be less chance of your amp being driven to clipping (distortion) which will give you better sound.
The technology trends are using added presence with height and width speakers. Although nice sounding in a perfect environment it is just not feasible for the everyday joe and a costly endeavor as new equipment and speakers are required.
Does 9.1, 8.1, 7.1 and 6.1 sound better than 5.1? Maybe but only in an ideal, perfectly setup environment and in a limited number of circumstances. Will 5.1 still perform well? Absolutely and it will, in most cases be all that it needed to hear superior surround sound.
BTW: Any modern 7.1, 8.1, or 9.1 receiver can be configured to use 5.1 quite easily so even if you just purchased a 7.1 channel HTiB you can set it up to be a 5.1 system.