How Does 7.1 Playback Sound on a 5.1 System?

[BluPix]

I'll soon upgrade to a surround sound audio system and, while I would prefer to acquire a 7.1 system, realistically, the space I have is not large enough to properly install more than a 5.1 system.

My question is, since many blu-rays now feature 7.1 audio, how would 7.1 audio sound on a 5.1 system? Would it still sound well-detailed (not as detailed as 7.1, of course) or would it sound mottled?

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I'll soon upgrade to a surround sound audio system and, while I would prefer to acquire a 7.1 system, realistically, the space I have is not large enough to properly install more than a 5.1 system.

My question is, since many blu-rays now feature 7.1 audio, how would 7.1 audio sound on a 5.1 system? Would it still sound well-detailed (not as detailed as 7.1, of course) or would it sound mottled?

7.1 soundtracks will still sound good on a 5.1 setup. While 7.1 soundtracks are slowly increasing, the majority of blu-ray movies approximately 85% are in 5.1. lossless audio. Here is a definitive list of movie with 7.1 audio:

http://www.blu-raystats.com/Stats/St...1&pSize=50&p=1

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by BluPix

I'll soon upgrade to a surround sound audio system and, while I would prefer to acquire a 7.1 system, realistically, the space I have is not large enough to properly install more than a 5.1 system.

My question is, since many blu-rays now feature 7.1 audio, how would 7.1 audio sound on a 5.1 system? Would it still sound well-detailed (not as detailed as 7.1, of course) or would it sound mottled?

7.1 sounds exactly like 5.1 on a 5.1 surround system.

[frogmort]

It will fold down the extra two channels into your surrounds automatically. It will sound fine.

[BluPix]

Thanks, slimdude and frogmort.

[frogmort]

No problem BluPix. All of the info from the rears will come out of the side surrounds, mixed in with the side surround info.

You can also do it the other way. If you have a 7.1 system, you can turn on Dolby PLIIx, or other brands of matrixing, and it will extrapolate 7.1 audio from a 5.1 disc. It won't effect the front speakers, but it somehow takes info from the surrounds, and makes it four channels. It doesn't just duplicate the side surrounds into the rears, it actually somehow makes four seperate channels that adds more surround depth and imaging. I don't really know how, but it does.

Have a good night.

[riverbelow]

I have a clarifying question!

If my receiver is 7.1 but I only have 5.1 speakers running (no 'back surrounds'), will 7.1 blu-rays be getting the "folded down" mix into the rears....?

[Justin83]

Originally Posted by riverbelow

I have a clarifying question!

If my receiver is 7.1 but I only have 5.1 speakers running (no 'back surrounds'), will 7.1 blu-rays be getting the "folded down" mix into the rears....?

Yes. There should be a config/setup option to tell your receiver you have a speaker configuration with no rears and it will adjust accordingly.

[riverbelow]

It appears to have worked. In crossover manual setting, I changed it to "none" instead of full range or a frequency. Will test with Jurassic Park. My most intimate demo audio. I know it by heart