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Why 7.1 Surround Sound is Overkill For Most Homes

RX8 writes "Home Theater expert Mark Fleischmann explains why you should not fall for the 7.1 hype and why 5.1 surround sound is adequate for most homes. From the article: 'With the marketing of 6.1 and 7.1 surround, the industry has decisively outwitted itself. It has convinced many consumers to buy new receivers and more speakers. But it has also undermined the 5.1-channel standard, which is more appropriate for the home, slowing the acceptance of surround sound in general.'"

3 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. 2 ears, 2 speakers by deprecated · · Score: 3, Funny

    That is the Law. Are we not men?

  2. Why 5.1 and not 2? by Vo0k · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, movies, music, such stuff where quality matters, if you're a connesseur you may want 5.1 or even 7.1. But 5.1 may mean difference between being alive and dead, and you NEED it in certain case.
    Friend's tale. He's the 1337, I'm just a n00b so it doesn't matter in my case. UT deathmatch. He bought his new 5.1 and configured it correctly. Some tunnel deep underground. And then he hears, left-behind, the sound of a Ripper, that deadly spinning disk that upon hitting your neck cuts your head off, granting the opponent an instant frag and counting as headshot. "Duck" and the ripper zooms over his head. Fast turn and a rocket into the enemy's face. One frag less for the opponent, one more for him, one 1337 tale more to tell, one more deathmatch won in total... Thanks to 5.1.

    --
    Anagram("United States of America") == "Dine out, taste a Mac, fries"
  3. I don't know about you but... by brunes69 · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... I find it hard to conceentrate on the TV while moving my head all around the room.