Bookshelf vs. Satellite

[96civ 10+ year member]

Where are bookshelf speakers usually placed for ht? I'm looking at the projects on PE and I can't find any satellite speakers, so I'm assuming bookshelf speakers can be placed behind the listening center, as a satellite speaker would?

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[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Yes.

"Bookshelf" simply means they aren't tall enough to be used without a stand or some other kind of support, where floorstanding speakers are close enough to ear level by themselves.

In a 5.1 setup, you'd have two speakers behind you. 7.1 would add two more on your direct left and right.

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

In a 5.1 setup, you'd have two speakers behind you. 7.1 would add two more on your direct left and right.

I think you got it mixed up.

5.1 has two "surround" speakers placed slightly behind the listening position to the right and left.

6.1 adds a single rear channel directly behind.

7.1 upgrades from a single rear to separate left and right rear channels.

DTS/DD is only recorded in 5.1 format. The 6 and 7th channels are "artificially" processed by the receiver.

Any type of speaker (including towers) can be used for any channel except the .1 is reserved for a sub. For example, for multichannel music 5 identical towers would be ideal.

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

I think you got it mixed up.
5.1 has two "surround" speakers placed slightly behind the listening position to the right and left.

6.1 adds a single rear channel directly behind.

7.1 upgrades from a single rear to separate left and right rear channels.

DTS/DD is only recorded in 5.1 format. The 6 and 7th channels are "artificially" processed by the receiver.

Any type of speaker (including towers) can be used for any channel except the .1 is reserved for a sub. For example, for multichannel music 5 identical towers would be ideal.

I fail to see where Jim was incorrect. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Fast1one 10+ year member]

I fail to see where Jim was incorrect. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Me thinks the same:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surround_sound

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

In both 5.1 and 7.1 the surround channels are not placed directly behind the listener. They're actually placed to the left and right, although slightly behind listening position. 5.1 formats use the surround speakers create the effect of a transition to the "phantom rear". While you could place the surround speakers further behind listenining position than you would in 7.1, the 7.1 does not add speakers to the left and right. It adds speakers directly behind the listener as a "true" rear channel. It isn't really true in most cases since no common media is published in 7.1 yet. There is no "side channel" speaker in either format.

I'm afraid Wikipedia is wrong in this case. Although, I'm usually a big fan of Wikipedia...

More accurate description:

http://www.aperionaudio.com/AperionU/51vs71.aspx

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

They are behind the listener. Jim never said they were DIRECTLY behind. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

And in 7.1 there are speakers to the listeners direct left and right, then behind as well.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

They are behind the listener. Jim never said they were DIRECTLY behind. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
And in 7.1 there are speakers to the listeners direct left and right, then behind as well.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

If you look at the Flash module on the link you posted, you'll notice that the ONLY difference between the 5.1 and 7.1 layout is the addition of two speakers (Surround "rears" or "backs") behind the listener. Otherwise 5.1 is identical to 7.1. So saying 7.1 adds speakers to the right and left is misleading. 7.1 adds speakers behind the listener, whereas the surround speakers (whether you place them directly to the left and right or slightly behind) remain in the same location in both setups.

Anyways, this argument is pretty pointless; I'm sure everyone's intent was just to inform the original poster and we have all provided enough links that I think we accomplished the task. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

But to sum it up:

• Left and Right Surround channel - either directly to the left and right or slightly behind (Dolby specifies 90-110 deg.)
  
• Left and Right Rear or Back channel - behind the listener (Dolby specifies 135-150 deg.)
  
• 5.1 - includes left, right, center, sub, left and right surround
  
• 7.1 - includes left, right, center, sub, left and right surround, left and right back
  
• Any type of speaker (bookshelf, satellite, or tower) can be used for any channel
  

 

[ballstothewall 10+ year member]

Eh, no one cares about surround sound anyways. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Everyone knows 2ch is where its at. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

Eh, no one cares about surround sound anyways. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Everyone knows 2ch is where its at. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

AGREED! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I think you got it mixed up.
5.1 has two "surround" speakers placed slightly behind the listening position to the right and left.

6.1 adds a single rear channel directly behind.

7.1 upgrades from a single rear to separate left and right rear channels.

DTS/DD is only recorded in 5.1 format. The 6 and 7th channels are "artificially" processed by the receiver.

Any type of speaker (including towers) can be used for any channel except the .1 is reserved for a sub. For example, for multichannel music 5 identical towers would be ideal.

FALSE !! What about DTS-ES discrete?? That is the only 6.1 format out there today. DD-EX just matrixes off the main surround speakers but DTS-ES is and actual 6th channel of information.

Eh, no one cares about surround sound anyways.

Everyone knows 2ch is where its at.

:wow:Uhhhhhh yeah right. Ok.

 

[BrianChia 10+ year member]

FALSE !! What about DTS-ES discrete?? That is the only 6.1 format out there today. DD-EX just matrixes off the main surround speakers but DTS-ES is and actual 6th channel of information.

You're absolutely right, and so am I. Hence I said DTS/DD, not DTS-ES. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

:wow:Uhhhhhh yeah right. Ok.

Personal preference here.

 

[Pull9Gs 10+ year member]

What about 2.1?

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

What about it?

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

You're absolutely right, and so am I. Hence I said DTS/DD, not DTS-ES. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Ah-ha!! Got me there.

Eh, no one cares about surround sound anyways.

Everyone knows 2ch is where its at.

Uhhhhhh yeah right. Ok

Personal preference here.

Even for movies?? Don't get me wrong there are VERY FEW multi-channel music mixes I like and those are mostly classical. And seeing how my moderately sized CD collection is all 2 channel (of course) I am all for 2 channel in music reproduction. But NOT for movies. What is the point in watching a movie in anything less than 5.1??