Video Asylum

Posted by monk (A) on February 06, 2004 at 01:19:51

In Reply to: Worth Going to 7.1 from 5.1? posted by DLS on February 02, 2004 at 13:56:49:

I'll vote that going to 7.1 is worth it, while 6.1 is just a *perhaps*. Two rear speakers (5.1) just can't complete a seamless surround (though can be plenty good) - 7.1 is better in this regard and I think it's worth it.

6.1 I'm not sure though,...having just the single rear speaker can be easier to locate as a point in space, calling attention to itself in a distracting way.

Many of the newer processors can make faux 7.1 out of even stereo channels and this can be good for movies - so while real 7.1 is rare (and really does stand out as *best*), you can still get plenty of miles out of the rear speakers.

Finally, I've found the speakers don't have to be as good as the rest and like them best set 1 to 3 db lower than the fronts (so get ambience and fill and effects and lowest chance of distration of speakers calling attention to themselves ...)