6.1 Channel

6.1 声道Typically, a rear center channel is added to the 5.1 configuration (left, center, right, and left and right surround channels), while retaining a single LFE channel. The new channel is used to enhance the sense of localization directly behind the listener and improve continuity between the left and right surround channels in larger spaces.

The rear center channel can be a discrete channel or embedded in the left and right surround channels via a matrix system and then decoded. DTS-ES Discrete 6.1 provides discrete expansion, while systems such as DTS-ES Matrix and Dolby Digital EX utilize compatible matrix information; The fact that the packaging states “6.1” does not prove that all six main channels are stored as completely independent audio streams.

Home theater systems may use a single rear center speaker for playback, or they may distribute this signal to two rear speakers. The latter still originates from a single program channel and is not equivalent to a 7.1 system with independent left and right rear surround channels. With the widespread adoption of 7.1 and object-based formats, standalone 6.1 releases have become less common, but existing DVDs and Blu-ray discs still retain such content.