Why 7.1 Audio Is Overkill At Home

Mark Fleischmann over at Designtechnica says "don’t get stampeded by the 7.1 parade". The editorial does a great job explaining why you shouldn’t buy into all the marketing hype when it comes to home theater audio.

With the marketing of 6.1 and 7.1 surround, the industry has decisively outwitted itself. It has convinced many consumers to buy new receivers and more speakers. But it has also undermined the 5.1-channel standard, which is more appropriate for the home, slowing the acceptance of surround sound in general.