Here is a summary comparing 5.1 and 7.1 surround sound systems:
5.1 Surround Sound
- Uses 6 channels – left, right, center, surround left, surround right, plus a subwoofer
- Standard setup for home theater and surround sound
- Suitable for small to medium sized rooms
- Provides a basic surround sound experience
- Supported by all DVDs, Blu-rays, games, etc.
7.1 Surround Sound
- Uses 8 channels – adds surround back left and surround back right speakers
- Provides a more immersive and enveloping surround experience
- Best suited for larger rooms over 350 sq ft
- Not all content supports 7.1 audio, requires Blu-ray or streaming
- Setup is more complex with extra speakers and wiring
Key Differences
- 7.1 has greater sense of depth, realism, and precision in surround effects
- 5.1 is cheaper and simpler to setup
- 5.1 works well in smaller rooms, 7.1 demands more space
- 5.1 has wider hardware and content support
- 7.1 requires lossless audio like Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio
In summary, 7.1 surround provides a more enveloping experience given proper room size, setup, and source material. But 5.1 is an affordable starting point that works well in many home theater setups.
Citations:
[1] https://blog.teufelaudio.com/5-1-7-1-surround-home-audio-system/
[2] https://www.diffen.com/difference/5.1_Surround_Sound_vs_7.1_Surround_Sound
[3] https://thehometheaterdiy.com/5-1-vs-7-1-surround-sound/
[4] https://www.livingetc.com/advice/is-5-1-or-7-1-surround-sound-better
[5] https://www.zeglins.com/blog/which-surround-system-is-best
[6] https://producerhive.com/buyer-guides/hi-fi-speakers/5-1-vs-7-1-surround-sound/