What happens when speakers aren't used in a surround sound system?

[murray m]

Stupid newbie question: using a 7.1 surround preamp, if I only connect speakers to 3 channels (R, L and Subwoofer), will the movie sound similar to a normal tv [with no special sound system] or will I be missing important sound elements [and it will sound worse than a normal tv]?

 

[Adam]

That will depend on which surround sound mode you use and what receiver you have. Depending on which receiver you have, you may be able to select "Stereo" or something similar as the surround mode and have it work very well. On my Pioneer VSX-1015TX, I can have it downmix a 5.1 movie soundtrack (such as Dolby Digital or DTS) into 2.1 by selecting "Stereo" as the surround mode, and it sounds great.

 

[allargon]

That will depend on which surround sound mode you use and what receiver you have. Depending on which receiver you have, you may be able to select "Stereo" or something similar as the surround mode and have it work very well. On my Pioneer VSX-1015TX, I can have it downmix a 5.1 movie soundtrack (such as Dolby Digital or DTS) into 2.1 by selecting "Stereo" as the surround mode, and it sounds great.

With my HK-AVR 247, unless I press stereo to get 2.1, the surround channels (7.1 and 5.1) are generally folded into the mains.

 

[jostenmeat]

Yes, some other pointers. murray, if for instance you ran your stereo speakers as full range, and selected stereo, your subwoofer could end up being unused if stereo is selected.

If you do select a xover, then sub is used. There is relevance here as far as choosing between HT and stereo music, for HT tracks do send full-range signals to all the channels, and therefore its possible to have both full-range mains AS WELL AS a subwoofer in the mix.

Whatever setup you do have, make sure the preamp knows exactly what is connected. This way everything will be sure to be downmixed to your mains. If and when you add a center, that channel is no longer downmixed, and will be a discrete channel. Likewise for the surrounds.

 

[3db]

Yes, some other pointers. murray, if for instance you ran your stereo speakers as full range, and selected stereo, your subwoofer could end up being unused if stereo is selected.

If you do select a xover, then sub is used. There is relevance here as far as choosing between HT and stereo music, for HT tracks do send full-range signals to all the channels, and therefore its possible to have both full-range mains AS WELL AS a subwoofer in the mix.

Whatever setup you do have, make sure the preamp knows exactly what is connected. This way everything will be sure to be downmixed to your mains. If and when you add a center, that channel is no longer downmixed, and will be a discrete channel. Likewise for the surrounds.

Maybe this is receiver dependent...but if the surround mode is stereo (unlike pure stereo or direct or whatever its called) like Adam has mentioned, wouldn't the bass info be channelled to the sub as well?

 

[jostenmeat]

I have no clue Mr. 3db. However, following my instructions would seem to help fool-proof the situation some more I would think. I just wanted to mention it.

 

[bigamp1]

it shouldn't sounds worse - it will be better than tv sound - you will just not have the full surround effect. i persoinally done notice a big difference between 5.1 and 7.1 but 3.1 to 5.1 -yes.