2. home-theater
  3. 1131267974

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

Showing 2 responses by eandylee

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...
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

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