7.1 vs 5.1

When I expanded from 5.1 to 7.1, I found a significant improvement in surround envelopment. The improvement for me was such that I never want to go back to 5.1. My room is relatively small, about 12' x 17' x 10'.

I strongly recommend you track down a properly set up 7.1 system (unfortunately not always easy to find), and compare listening in 5.1 versus 7.1.

FYI, there are some very articulate threads in www.avsforum.com, especially by sdurani (sanjay) explaining the limitations of 5.1 versus 7.1 for surround envelopment. I think those threads would be very helpful, although a firsthand listening experience is the best way for you to evaluate this.

I also wholeheartedly concur with Kthomas' comments on making sure you have a capability to generate a quality 7.1 listening environment, as there are no 7.1 sources to my knowledge. I use Logic 7 in a Lexicon MC-12 and it is excellent. I listen to everything in 7.1 independent of the source. From what I have read, an alternative now available is DPLIIx.

Thanks
Bruce

mariusc,

Are you saying you don't use Logic 7 on DVD-V sources, or you don't hear much difference between 5.1 and 7.1 when listening to DVD-V?

In my own experience, I find 7.1, using Logic 7, provides much greater surround envelopment than 5.1 with DVD-V sources.

Thanks
Bruce