question about 6.1 setup and 7.1 setup

[TheSiege]

so 6.1 is Front L+R and Center
and Rear L+R and Center
And a Sub

And 7.1 is Front L+R and Center
And Rear L+R
And Rear Back L+R
And A Sub

now ive only used up to 5.1

which setup is better or more used? is there such thing as a reciever that does 8.1 so you can have 6.1 and 7.1 at the same time?

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so 6.1 is Front L+R and Center
and Rear L+R and Center
And a Sub

And 7.1 is Front L+R and Center
And Rear L+R
And Rear Back L+R
And A Sub

now ive only used up to 5.1

which setup is better or more used? is there such thing as a reciever that does 8.1 so you can have 6.1 and 7.1 at the same time?

The problem with 6.1 is that the rear center is positioned right in back of you. People have a hard time distinguishing between sounds that are directly behind them vs. directly in front of them.

7.1 solves this problem by playing the rear track on two speakers in back.

Short version: Do 7.1

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so 6.1 is Front L+R and Center
and Rear L+R and Center
And a Sub

And 7.1 is Front L+R and Center
And Rear L+R
And Rear Back L+R
And A Sub

now ive only used up to 5.1

which setup is better or more used? is there such thing as a reciever that does 8.1 so you can have 6.1 and 7.1 at the same time?

The problem with 6.1 is that the rear center is positioned right in back of you. People have a hard time distinguishing between sounds that are directly behind them vs. directly in front of them.

7.1 solves this problem by playing the rear track on two speakers in back.

Short version: Do 7.1

I completely agree with YOyoYOhowsDAjello's answer to this question. :thumbsup:

 

[amol]

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so 6.1 is Front L+R and Center
and Rear L+R and Center
And a Sub

And 7.1 is Front L+R and Center
And Rear L+R
And Rear Back L+R
And A Sub

now ive only used up to 5.1

which setup is better or more used? is there such thing as a reciever that does 8.1 so you can have 6.1 and 7.1 at the same time?

The problem with 6.1 is that the rear center is positioned right in back of you. People have a hard time distinguishing between sounds that are directly behind them vs. directly in front of them.

7.1 solves this problem by playing the rear track on two speakers in back.

Short version: Do 7.1

I completely agree with YOyoYOhowsDAjello's answer to this question. :thumbsup:

That's like saying you agree with Richard Feynman on something about physics.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: Amol

Originally posted by: KLin

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Originally posted by: TheSiege
so 6.1 is Front L+R and Center
and Rear L+R and Center
And a Sub

And 7.1 is Front L+R and Center
And Rear L+R
And Rear Back L+R
And A Sub

now ive only used up to 5.1

which setup is better or more used? is there such thing as a reciever that does 8.1 so you can have 6.1 and 7.1 at the same time?

The problem with 6.1 is that the rear center is positioned right in back of you. People have a hard time distinguishing between sounds that are directly behind them vs. directly in front of them.

7.1 solves this problem by playing the rear track on two speakers in back.

Short version: Do 7.1

I completely agree with YOyoYOhowsDAjello's answer to this question. :thumbsup:

That's like saying you agree with Richard Feynman on something about physics.

After looking this guy up on wikipedia, I'd say you're correct in your assessment. :thumbsup:

 

[DrPizza]

But, the 7.1 assumes you have room to arrange the speakers that way, correct? i.e. if your couch is against the wall, 7.1 doesn't really improve over 5.1

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
But, the 7.1 assumes you have room to arrange the speakers that way, correct? i.e. if your couch is against the wall, 7.1 doesn't really improve over 5.1

If that's your issue, 6.1 isn't going to help you out either 🙁

That said, even with lining up speakers all against a back wall, there is a different between 5.1 and 7.1

For example, due to various reasons in HBD's basement, we were not able to do proper 7.1 placement (click on Dolby Digital EX) and had to do this.

It was a 7.1 HTIB anyway, so it's not like the extra speakers were an option 😉 Not as big a difference between surround vs. back sounds, but there certainly was a difference there.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Yeah, speaker placement seems like it can be a pain because, really.. how many of us have the optimal room layout, with a sole chair in the middle of the room with equal space on all sides and behind. My room has diagonal walls, an angled ceiling, and an L-shaped sectional sofa backed into a wall with a 2-foot "jog" in it. After some creativity and assistance from YoYo we got a 7.1 system in there pretty nicely. having 2 separate rear centers really helps.