Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater 7.1 vs 5.1

Here's where I speak up and say, that I find 7.1 makes a huge difference. But as pointed out, my rear wall is 7 behind me, and my surrounds are directly to the sides. So indeed the rears make the sound field more complete.

As for discrete 7.1 content, that isn't so needed. With Dolby Prologic IIx, and DTS NEO:6 the extra, rear channels can be very convincingly created from the surround. My channels 6 & 7 are always active with some amount of sound.