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7.1 vs. 5.1 - Meaningful difference?

I have a Lexicon MC-8, with a 7.1 piega speaker system. I now have cause to consider removing the back surrounds to another room and changing the system to 5.1. I toggled the MC-8 from 7 to 5 channels without noticing any difference. Do people find 7.1 a meaningful upgrade from 5.1? My rear surrounds are lesser quality than the 5.1 system, so maybe that explains the lack of impact? I'd be grateful to hear other experiences.

Thanks
gchuva
slappy
903 posts
 
Ive had 5.1 and 7.1
Honestly, i preffer 5.1, less hassle, less speakers, and the benefits from a 7.1 system just arent worth the added cost in my book.

good for a 2nd zone if it has that capability.

as far as i know, nothing has ever ben recorded in 7.1 anyways. its just another logic processor.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
This is another question that can only be answered based on opinion, to me the 7.1 set-up works much better with more space and involvment using di-pole speakers, if you room isnt big enough, if your set up isnt ideal or if you plain just dont see the benefit then go 5.1, true there are only 6.1 material so far but to me 7.1 is much better and more emotional......there is no right or wrong and no matter how hard anyone tries to argue this it is only opinion, the Zone 2 use of your speakers might be a great option for you....so follow your heart and your ears and enjoy!
customht
15 posts
 
I think it depends on the size of your room. I have a samllish room, so 5.1 fills things in nicely. If you have a large room and are able to put speakers 3+ ft. behind your listening room it may be worth your while.

DVDs that are "encoded" in Dobly Digital EX and DTS ES have separate information for 6.1 - 7.1 channels. "Gladiator" and "Star Wras - Revenge of the Sith" are 2 that I can think of off the top of my head.
bruceomega
118 posts
 
Gchuva,

I'm quite surprised you don't hear a difference between 5.1 and 7.1. When I expanded from 5.1 to 7.1 (using Logic 7), I heard a very noticeable improvement is surround envelopment.

Thinking out loud: I assume you are using Logic 7, all speakers play the test tones correctly when setting speaker levels, and distance settings are adjusted.

Are your side speakers directly to the sides of your listening area; i.e., +- 90 deg, and not behind your listening area? Having both sides and rears behind the listening position defeats the purpose of 7.1.

Are the rear speakers spread apart (+- 160 deg) behind the listening position?

Thanks
Bruce
fishboat
245 posts
 
Ran across this recently...it's worth a read:

http://www.videoasylum.com/ht/messages/21783.html
More to discover