THX 7.1 Speaker Setup

As my room got painted, it is the time to set-up my favourite audio system in THX 7.1 mode. I have been researching about THX speaker set-up and the specifications of THX for 7.1 speaker systems.

Here are my findings:

Speaker Setup : 7.1 ( 2 front, 2 rear, 2 side, 1 center & 1 subwoofer)

Currently 7.1 audio is only supported by Dolby Digital EX and DTS ES, in which later being 7.1 discrete sound generation.

Dolby Digital EX is in a 6.1 sound system where they have added a rear channel to existing 5.1 audio. In 7.1 systems, this 6th channel is used by both rear speakers.

In DTS-ES system, there is additional 2 channels for rear adding up to 7.1 channels in total to existing 5.1 system. DTS-ES is discrete, which means there is real signal for rear speakers.

It should be noted that THX is the specifications or optimizations that certifies cinematic audio is generated and it is not an audio format.

According to THX system, the rear speakers should be placed near to each other as in following figure.

You might be in doubt after seeing rear speakers placed together. THX has an answer :

For optimum results SBL and SBR are placed together to enable the THX Advanced Speaker Array�?� (ASA) algorithms to operate to their maximum effect. If the SBL and the SBR can not be placed together, refer to the pre-amplifier or receiver �??THX Setup�?? menu for alternative configurations to maximize system potential.

Now it is the time to go pratical and findout how THX setup changes the quality of audio generated.

Also note that this setting only works if you have a THX certified system, otherwise there won’t be any effect to your listening pleasure.

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