HELP 7.1 sound in a 6.1 system

[Octavio]

Hi, I have a problem listening to 7.1 tracks with my Onkyo receiver 605.
I have a 6.1 HT system, and I am not sure I could place another speaker in my studio (it's a small room).

However I thought that I'd hear 7.1 tracks downmixed to 6.1 but I cannot. There is no sound coming out from my surround back speaker. The only way to hearing my SB speaker is by selecting on the Onkyo receiver 2 SB speakers, not only 1.
Ok when I select 2 SB speakers I got sound from that speaker but I don't think it's downmixed, most likely I am listening just one side of the SB speakers (left side I guess).

Is there some way to hear 7.1 audio tracks in a 6.1 system (downmixed of course) instead of getting only 5.1 audio or have I to buy 2 SB speakers?

Thank you in advance for your kind replys. and excuse my poor english.

[Driver_King]

Just put it in some sort of matrix mode.

[Beta Man]

If you get the additional speaker now, and just place them side-by-side, at least you'll be prepared for when you have a larger space

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by Driver_King

Just put it in some sort of matrix mode.

First of all, thanx for your reply.

But how to do that? I can only choose between the 7.1 mix or stereo.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

If you get the additional speaker now, and just place them side-by-side, at least you'll be prepared for when you have a larger space

Thank you as well for your help.

So I'll assume that the answer is NO: it cannot be downmixed and I'd need to buy a pair of SB speakers, right?

I cannot afford to move to a bigger place by the moment, it's too expensive right here where I live. Anyway thank you for your recommendation.

[nismo604]

Have you run the Audyssey? It should detect only one rear speaker and adjust automatically to a 6.1 system. What BD player and 7.1 movie are you using?

[Blu-Tsunami13]

Octavio, if you have a 605 you should be able 2 matrix it. Try holding down the enter button on your receiver for about 3 seconds. (Auto-Hdmi) should appear on ur receiver, next press enter again, then it should say (PCM-Hdmi). Now you can access ur other listening modes. You know, Pro Logic, DTS Neo, and all that other jazz, now all your speakers should be active.

Now will you still be able to receive lossless sound? That I do not have the answer to. But you will be able to utilize all your speakers.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by nismo604

Have you run the Audyssey? It should detect only one rear speaker and adjust automatically to a 6.1 system. What BD player and 7.1 movie are you using?

Yep, I ran the Audissey, it detected only 1 SB speaker as it should be. That's not the problem.
I am using a Sony BDP-S350. Audio is set on direct.
The movie I was watching is Pan's Labyrinth that comes in 7.1 DTS HD-MA. My player bitstreams it, the Onkyo receiver decodes it, but I don't hear nothing in the SB speaker, Nada.
I guess with a 6.1 system, 7.1 audio tracks always would be downmixed to 5.1. Perhaps the only solution is to buy a pair of SB speakers. Next year perhaps.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by Blu-Tsunami13

Octavio, if you have a 605 you should be able 2 matrix it. Try holding down the enter button on your receiver for about 3 seconds. (Auto-Hdmi) should appear on ur receiver, next press enter again, then it should say (PCM-Hdmi). Now you can access ur other listening modes. You know, Pro Logic, DTS Neo, and all that other jazz, now all your speakers should be active.

Now will you still be able to receive lossless sound? That I do not have the answer to. But you will be able to utilize all your speakers.

If I set the audio on my S350 on "Mix" instead of "Direct", then I get the lossy core of the DTS track in 5.1.
Then I can use either Neo 6, Dolby PLIIx, Dolby Ex, etc. to get sound from my SB speaker, but it's lossy audio, not lossless.

If I choose "Direct" in order to hear the lossless track, then the only audio options I have on my Onkyo receiver are DTS HD MASTER AUDIO, DIRECT and STEREO. That's all. It's lossless audio but in 5.1 or 2.1, respectively.

I am about to give up.

[Steve]

I agree with Beta Man. Add the 7th speaker, even if you have to sit them right next to each other. It will solve the problem of having to matrix the audio signal, and you will get all your lossless audio the way it should be.

[Octavio]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I agree with Beta Man. Add the 7th speaker, even if you have to sit them right next to each other. It will solve the problem of having to matrix the audio signal, and you will get all your lossless audio the way it should be.

Yeah, I'll have to do that. I'll buy them next year or about christmas if there is a good deal on speakers here in my neck of the woods.
Anyway thanx for your replies, guys.

[zweet77]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I agree with Beta Man. Add the 7th speaker, even if you have to sit them right next to each other. It will solve the problem of having to matrix the audio signal, and you will get all your lossless audio the way it should be.

Some Thx speaker formations for 7.1 actually recommend that setup for 7.1.

[mustang-gt-2002]

I had a YAMAHA 6.1 and the only way I could get sound out of all the speakers was from 6.1 dvd's or in 6 speaker stereo. I get the YAMAHA 663 love it but I dont think 7.1 is as good as it could be. stick with the 6.1 speakers 6 and 7 dont do much.