[LAU] more than 4 channels for listening? Really?

[fons at kokkinizita.net]

On Thu, Feb 25, 2010 at 11:27:11AM -0700, Bearcat M. Sandor wrote:

> Couldn't one create the sound of a fly moving through out a room simply
> by adjusting the balance of 4 speakers?

One could, sort of.
 
> If so why do we need more than 4 speakers?

Because you have much better results that way,
using the right techniques.  
 
> I have an audio system for which i'd like to set up 4 channels. I have 2
> Anthony Gallo Acoustic Reference 3.1s and would like to swap them out
> for 4 Stradas and 4 subs (with some extra money of course).  

You could save 50% by using 8 speakers at 1/4 the price
of those, and get much better results.

> If i do that and play back a 5.1 or 7.1 movie soundtrack or music disc
> what am i going to not have vs a full 5 or 7 channel set up?

Without some quite specialised processing you'll have a
crippled result. Don't expect Pulseaudio to do the right
thing, how could it ? It doesn't even know where your
speakers are.

Ciao,

-- 
FA

O tu, che porte, correndo si ?
E guerra e morte !