Still trying to figure out if I have 9.1 or 7.1

[David Gaudreau]

I have the Denon AVR-3806, I noticed that in setup mode it has an option for surrond A and surround B. Is this an extra channel that I dont know about?

 

[racquetman]

The 3806 is a 7.1 receiver. That means it can amplify 7 channels of audio (or less). Those channels being front left, center, front right, surround left, surround right, surround back left, surround back right. This is just one of the possible configurations, but is most common when using all channels in one area. You could run 5.1 in a room and use the other 2 channels to produce a stereo signal in another room. You could use only one back channel (i.e. 6.1) and not use the 7th channel at all.

You do not have 9.1, which would be a receiver capable of amplifying 9 channels of audio.

By the way, this thread belongs in the amps, pre-pros, and receivers section, David.

 

[AVRat]

Technically, it’s 7.1. Pg 6 of the manual shows the layout. Generally, Surround A is used for multi-channel theatrical sound, while Surround B is laid out for a separate 5.1 music system. The manual does state that you can run A & B simultaneously, though it is not advisable since they run off the same amp. You might think it would then become 9.1, but since we’re still using only 7 amps we say it’s 7.1.

EDIT: However, you could add a 2-channel amp to the Surround A(SL/SR) pre-outs and use the internal amps only for Surround B to get a 9.2 system in your case.

 

[David Gaudreau]

Technically, it’s 7.1. Pg 6 of the manual shows the layout. Generally, Surround A is used for multi-channel theatrical sound, while Surround B is laid out for a separate 5.1 music system. The manual does state that you can run A & B simultaneously, though it is not advisable since they run off the same amp. You might think it would then become 9.1, but since we’re still using only 7 amps we say it’s 7.1.

Got it, Now it makes sense!!