How is 5.1 music expected to play through 7.1+ systems?

[Wartybliggens]

My system is 7.1.4. When I play 5.1 music, I want it to play as 5.1 only, but it comes out of 7.1 channels (so both the sides and rears get the same respective signals) no matter what mode (like pure, direct, etc.). My question is, what is officially expected to happen? Is this a bug / limitation in my processor, or is it following some spec? If it is a spec, does that mean that the volume is divided between sides and rears (so as not to be out of proportion to the other channels)? In any case, it seems wrong to me, because I imagine the "original mix" being done with 5.1.

Roon server solves this - it has a handy toggle to let you choose which pair gets the sound (sides or rears). So from my NAS with Roon server I have no problem. But I haven't solved this for 5.1 music from other sources.

I'm not expecting a solution here - I just want to know if I should really consider it a bug.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Something in your undefined system is upmixing 5.1 to 7.1, probably an AVR or AVP.

 

[Wartybliggens]

Something in your undefined system is upmixing 5.1 to 7.1, probably an AVR or AVP.

Yes, right, but I've seen people talk like that's expected. But is it expected, or a bug? Seems like you're saying it's not expected.

 

[kyuu]

If you have an upmixer in use then it is expected behavior. If you don't, it's not. What AVR/AVP do you have?

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Yes, right, but I've seen people talk like that's expected. But is it expected, or a bug? Seems like you're saying it's not expected.

It's a bug if your AVR does it by default but it may be curable. It is user error if its implementation is not by default.
Why not tell us what equipment you are using?

 

[BJL]

My system is 7.1.4. When I play 5.1 music, I want it to play as 5.1 only, but it comes out of 7.1 channels (so both the sides and rears get the same respective signals) no matter what mode (like pure, direct, etc.). My question is, what is officially expected to happen? Is this a bug / limitation in my processor, or is it following some spec? If it is a spec, does that mean that the volume is divided between sides and rears (so as not to be out of proportion to the other channels)? In any case, it seems wrong to me, because I imagine the "original mix" being done with 5.1.

Roon server solves this - it has a handy toggle to let you choose which pair gets the sound (sides or rears). So from my NAS with Roon server I have no problem. But I haven't solved this for 5.1 music from other sources.

I'm not expecting a solution here - I just want to know if I should really consider it a bug.

Your information is incomplete. You don't identify your AVR/AVP or the nature of your source. For example, if you are playing a Dolby or dts encoded 5.1 source, it will generally play back with the surrounds distributed into the surround backs (i.e. as 7.1), via Dolby surround or dts Neural:x. On the other hand, if it is a 5.1 PCM source, and you select "direct" as the playback mode, it should play only in the 5.1 speakers.

I did a random test with a 5.1 disc encoded dts-HD MA. The default playback was dts Neural:X (7.1), but by selecting "direct" it did play back as 5.1.

If you identify the AVR/AVP, someone here may own the same device and be able to provide more specific feedback.

 

[Chrispy]

All my avrs have a choice somewhat with 5ch content played on 7ch setup, depending on specific model of avr/avp, codec and sound mode being used. Like others have said, need to know what specific unit and what content/settings, etc.