7.1 Amplifier but only 5.1 speakers.

[admin_exported]

Simple question. and I guess the answer may well vary depending on the amplifier.

If you only plug 5.1 speakers into your 7.1 amplifier, what happens to the extra 2 rear channels. Would they be merged into the 2 standard surround channels? And if they are, is that necessarily a good thing, or is it likely to confuse/muddy the soundstage?

I'll be investing in a new 7.1 Amp (probably the Yamaha DSP-863SE) soon to replace my aging marantz sr4200, and an extra 2 speakers would not really be practical...

 

[Andrew Everard]

Yes the amp will detect during set-up that you don't have surround back speakers, and default to 5.1 surround. It'll be fine, honest...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply Andrew!
That's good news, not having to have even more speakers in the front room will help mightily with the WAF (wife acceptance factor) of getting a new Amp!

 

[Anonymous]

You could use the two extra channels to Bi amp your front speakers. Not sure if all recivers let you do this but my onk 875 does!