6.1 7.1?? is it discrete.. or always just 6.1?

faster100

I have a 7.1 capable receiver.. powers 6 channels.. I have a 2 channel amp which would work best as the surround backs.. now do these speakers receive 2 separate channels of sound like the side surrounds?? or is it just added to the extra channel.. so if im watching a movie will it pan say: left side- left back- right side?
or just left side- rear backs together- right side...

Dr. Spec

For DD and DTS, the rear channel speakers in a 7.1 set-up both get the same information. The rear soundstage is just larger and fuller with two speakers.

However, there are some DSP modes that mimic h/k's Logic 7 and give a true discrete signal to each rear surround.

The "Widescreen" DSP mode on my 3803 does this, for example.

I don't use it, although there is nothing wrong with the way it sounds and it is compatible with any DD/DTS track. I usually run everything in a forced matrix mode, DD-EX or DTS-ES, regardless of whether or not the disc is advertised that way. Some regular 5.1 discs benefit greatly from forced matrix decoding.

Doc

faster100

Thanks , I went from the csi30 to 2 fxi30's powered with the single rear back amp... i have them joined together at the speakers. one wire runs from pos/neg to the pos/neg on the other speaker.. and then back to the receiver.. was wondering if this AMC amp would improve sound or be a waste to power 2 rear channels and each speaker by itself instead of how i have them..

Dr. Spec

I thought your Integra was a true 7.1 AVR?

I wouldn't waste the AMC on rear surrounds. I'd use it in a dedicated 2 channel rig or to power a center or the mains. These see much more activity.

faster100

No, its 6.1 powered with a powered zone 2.. some receivers have non powered zone 2, but true 7.1... this is the opposite.. although of course it does dts es, ex and all that... center channel.. interesting... LOL

so do you agree on how i have it set up for rears.. seems to work and sound good.. with the 2 hooked together (fxi30's)

Dr. Spec

That is too bad. The 3803 has 7 amp sections and you can assign two of the to zone 2, or you can assign all of them to zone 1 (which is what I do for 7.1).

Anyway, if I read you right, you have wired them in series, which shouldn't pose any impedance problems for the amp. But it might require recalibration for channel levels.

faster100

Ive recalibrated them all.. This amp thing really has me bugged.. we decided to keep the 150's.. my wife just likes em better.. says the 70's are far to bright and i have to agree... they are. the 150's are smoother.. run on small with the SVS they sound great.. run on large with no sub for some music they also sound great.. huh.. gonna try and sell the 70's..

walk

There is no "7.1" it's marketing hype.

There is Dolby Digital EX which is 5 discrete channels with a 6th matrixed in the 2 rear surround channels, or DTS-ES which has 6 discrete channels. Actually I think DTS-ES can either be discrete or matrixed. But for sure there is no current system with 7 channels.

If you use 2 surround-back speakers they will recieve the same mono signal. This is the setup recommended by Dolby, DTS and THX, but of course your budget and ergonomic considerations may limit you to 1 surround-back speaker, which can sound nearly as good.

http://www.dolby.com/ht/co_br_0110_ListenersGuideEX.html

http://www.dtsonline.com/home&car/overview.php?ID=1026399626

paymontana

Dolby IIx is on the way. The way i understand it . It is a true 7.1 channel output. Only available in really high end stuff now. Check out dolby's web site at dolby.com. It helped me seperate the 7.1 myth from fact. It also lists the movies already coded for it. Got to go. I have a new se tof lsi 9's to hook.

CJ

jmierzur

According to Dolby web site:

"Dolby Pro Logic IIx is the first and only technology to process any native stereo or 5.1 signal into a 6.1- or 7.1- channel output, creating a seamless, natural surround soundfield that immerses you in the entertainment experience."


The source signal is still two or five channels. The extra channels are still "process"ed to create a multi-channel effect. As per prior posts, there is no 7.1 format, yet...

DD EX is correctly defined as 5:1.1. This reads as: five discrete channels, one matrixed channel, one LFE channel. The matrixed channel can be sent to one or two rear speakers. DD EX is frequently (always?) misrepresented as 7.1.

DTS ES is correctly defined as 6.1 as this have six discrete channels and one LFE channel.

walk

It does say that ProLogicIIx is 7 seperate channels though. They are matrixed, but still seperate once processed. If I read that right...

PhantomOG

so what happens on a 5:1.1 disc played on a 6.1 system. does the matrixed channel get played on the rear center?

jmierzur

Originally posted by Walk
It does say that ProLogicIIx is 7 seperate channels though. They are matrixed, but still seperate once processed. If I read that right...

I have never disputed the number of channels any system has. Some receiver and pre/pro have assignable channels. Parasound Halo C1 and C2 have seven main channels with one LFE channel inputs/outputs and four assignable channels for future formats (10.2 anyone?).

I am just pointing out that the terminology defined by the industry is not followed. It is interesting that ProLogicIIx can create seven channels from a two/five channel source. It might even be interesting to listen to.

Originally posted by PhantomOG
so what happens on a 5:1.1 disc played on a 6.1 system. does the matrixed channel get played on the rear center?

As I stated, "The matrixed channel can be sent to one or two rear speakers".

For playback on a six channel system with LFE (identified as 6.1 in your post), DD EX would have L+C+R and SL+RC+SR plus LFE. The RC is the decoded matrixed channel. DTS-ES can provide a matrixed or discrete signal for the RC channel.