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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
eandylee
124 posts
 
It depends on the size of the room... but I think it's usually not worth the extra $$$ and effort to make it 7.1

5.1 is just about right for me for now...
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
not all DVD is 5.1, EX is 6.1
bruceomega
118 posts
 
Eandylee,

How would the size of the room make a difference on going to 7.1?

Certain room layouts make a difference, but size itself should not be an issue. My room is not large, 13' x 17' x 9.5', and 7.1 works very well.

Thanks
Bruce
eandylee
124 posts
 
I should have added Size and Shape...

Works for what though?...

DTS/DD recorded for 5.1 or 6.1? or DVD-Audio? or DPLII/DPLII-EX for music?

7.1 might sound great regardless of the shape and size of the room when listening to 6.1 recorded sound track.

But in reality, most of the movies and DVD-audio are recored 5.1 and the two back channels are 'matrixed'.

If you stuff in 7.1 in a small narrow room and listen to 5.1 recorded sound track, it may not add any value or even effect negatively... Well postioned 5.1 in a proper size room may work best for 5.1 recored sound tracks including movies or DVD-A/SACD

bruceomega
118 posts
 
Eandylee

We seem to have two different opinions, which is fine.

For the example of 5.1 DD/DTS sources, I found listening in 7.1, using Logic 7, to provide a much better surround envelopment than listening to the same source in 5.1.

When Logic 7 is extracting 4 surround channels of output from the 2 surround channel sources in DD/DTS 5.1, it can change the spatial presentation across all 4 speakers. It doesn't just extract two matrixed channels for the rear speakers and leave the side channels as is.

If a sound is intended to pan from the back left of the room to directly left of the listener, then Logic 7 can steer the sound such that it starts out in the left rear speaker only, then is spread across both the left rear and left side, and ending up in the left side speaker only. Its much harder to try and do that with only 1 surround speaker on the left side of the room.

I can only suggest that those interested listen to a properly set up 7.1 system, toggle between 5.1 and 7.1, and judge for themselves.

Bruce
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