I have been using 7.1 for four years. It has more effect than I would have anticipated. My Pre/Pro matrixes or synthesizes 7.1 from all 5.1 source material, and now most Blu-Rays are 7.1 discrete on-disk. When the rear surrounds are off, the soundfield thins out and is thrown forward; the soundfield doesn't feel as complete or enveloping without those rear surround channels.
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
Thanks