Should 6.1 audio be avoided with 5 speakers?

[Jnuke]

I'm fairly new to surround sound and I'm specifically wondering how I want to listen to Fellowship of the Ring when I watch it tomorrow night. Since I only have 5 speakers should I only choose the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround? Or is it possible the DTS 6.1 track could sound better on my system even if I'm short one speaker? (Or to put it another way: Does the information that 's supposed to go to the back surround get lost, or is it diverted to the left and right surrounds?)

Any wisdom would be appreciated.

[Josh Z]

Originally posted by Jnuke
Or is it possible the DTS 6.1 track could sound better on my system even if I'm short one speaker? (Or to put it another way: Does the information that 's supposed to go to the back surround get lost, or is it diverted to the left and right surrounds?)

The information that is supposed to go to the center speaker will be diverted to your other surrounds. You will not lose any sound information.

[Jnuke]

Originally posted by Josh Z
The information that is supposed to go to the center speaker will be diverted to your other surrounds. You will not lose any sound information.

Cool, thanks!

[BernieStolar]

I have to admit all these 5.1 ex and dts es tracks make me want a rear center channel and a new receiver. stupid budget.

[wordtoyamotha]

How about when listening through headphones? Which audio track should be selected. Dolby 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS? Do you lose anything by selecting a certain track?

[Mole177]

Originally posted by wordtoyamotha
How about when listening through headphones? Which audio track should be selected. Dolby 2.0, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS? Do you lose anything by selecting a certain track?

if you're going to be using headphones. go with 2.0, unless you have alien(green dude) stuff, no one makes true 5.1 headphones, not yet at least, or not that i know of

[PhYbEr]

These Sony MDR-DS5100 (http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?CATEGORY=%09%09%09Video&MD=MDR-DS5100) are looking pretty close, can't wait to try out a pair..