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What to do with a seven channel amplifier?

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Posted on August 25, 2024 at 09:01:20
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15502
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 I ask this question, or similar, occasionally. Basically, it's the same question as is 'surround cinema' of any value unless one is trying to reproduce a 'theater' experience (which to me always sounds completely artificial)?

 

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OK. What to do with ELEVEN channels?, posted on October 4, 2024 at 08:25:02
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15502
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 How does one use ELEVEN channels in a home system?

How does one fit ELEVEN loudspeakers in one room, even a Great Room as newer houses are having?

 

Eleven speakers?, posted on October 4, 2024 at 15:15:14
grantv
Manufacturer

Posts: 7892
Location: B.C.
Joined: January 15, 2002
 If people like 11 channels, good for them (and manufacturers).

 

If you don't care for home theater mix...., posted on August 27, 2024 at 16:47:52
budget fi
Audiophile

Posts: 726
Location: seattle
Joined: August 8, 2004
 .... any other mix through seven speakers would probably be much worse than stereo. I enjoy music mixed in surround but with the popularity of streaming and downloads for music it seems surround music has taken a back seat.

 

Streaming and downloads, posted on October 18, 2024 at 11:36:30
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 27607
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 I have a 10Ch (5.1.4) system which supports Dolby Atmos and other immersive formats, and I stream Apple's vast Dolby Atmos ("Immersive") catalog via Apple Music. Atmos (as well as Sony's immersive rival, "360 Reality Audio") is also available on Amazon's "Amazon Music Unlimited", although it looks to me as if it's not as intuitive to set up, and I wonder if you can get the discrete signals to your speakers like you can with Apple (which DOES require the purchase of the Apple TV 4K device - $150).

Another point I'd like to make is that, just because you have 6, 10, or 12 channels doesn't mean you have to use them all, all the time. I still listen to "plain old stereo" too, just using my FR and FL channels, although I far prefer the surround and immersive formats. My pre/pro can also generate quasi immersive formats via built-in Dolby and DTS firmware. I know that this latter option might be an anathema to "true audiophiles", but I still think it sounds pretty good! (Oh - and did I mention that Apple Music's streaming of Dolby Atmos is LOSSY? Eew! But here's the key: yeah, I'm missing some bits from the resolution in listening to Dolby Atmos on Apple Music, but non-Dolby Atmos listeners are missing part of the very sound field itself - which to me is a much more serious loss!)

As for downloads, there's not that much available with Dolby Atmos yet, but I have hundreds of 5Ch and 5.1Ch downloads from Chandos, BIS, 2L, etc.

 

any other mix through seven speakers would probably be much worse than stereo..., posted on August 28, 2024 at 08:20:04
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15502
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 Well, if the original mix is stereo music.

However, it seems to me, much 'theater' content is actually created in multi-channel, so the stereo mixdown must be paid attention to and if it is not, well, you're missing what the original creator created, such as artificial sounding center channel and surround channel content, but me thinks they are relying upon too many channels. Oh well, as I'm not always satisfied with their mixdown to stereo.

 

Maybe I misunderstood your question., posted on August 30, 2024 at 18:06:45
budget fi
Audiophile

Posts: 726
Location: seattle
Joined: August 8, 2004
 I love a good surround mix. For me the key is the source. Some channels like Netflix offer true 5.1 and 7.1 mix as intended by the creators. Other broadcast are only stereo and that's when trying to create a surround mix doesn't sound as good.

As for your original question "what to do with 7 channel amplifier", get a nice surround processor with quality speakers and a good sub. With proper setup it will sound great.

 

Yes. Thanks., posted on September 20, 2024 at 12:32:10
jedrider
Audiophile

Posts: 15502
Location: No. California
Joined: December 26, 2003
 That's what I suspect.

I think I can do 5 surround channels and 2 auxiliary channels (like multi-space/room).

Oops, I'm short two surround speakers. Looking for those that I think I will hide behind the TV, of all places. The last thing I want is to feel like I'm in a theater as I hate the artificial ambience they try to create.

 

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