Surround Sound. Where Height Matters.

Take a look at this...


This is a rendering of an Onkyo 9.1 surround system using the new Onkyo TX-SR607 A/V Receiver as the "engine" for the new proprietary Dolby ProLogic IIz sound processing, to utilize high and low vertical front speakers.

Without getting into minutia, but for those who need to be brought up to speed or are in need of a refresher course:

• 5.1 Surround Sound is 5 channels for speakers (front center, left front, right front, left back, right back) and the .1 for your subwoofer.
  
• 7.1 Surround Sound is 7 channels for speakers (front center, left front, right front, left back, right back, left side, right side) and the .1 for your subwoofer.
  

NOW, the TX-SR607 will be the first receiver to feature Dolby ProLogic IIz sound processing, which can expand existing 7.1 soundtracks to 9.1, routing some of the audio to "front high speakers," which are positioned above your standard front speakers. Dolby ProLogic IIz sound processing is the TX-SR607's most touted feature in the news release. (courtesy CNET).

Um, I do not know about you, but if I have the ridiculous inclination to have a 7.1 surround system in my home theater setup to begin with, chances are I do not need to have my ears blown off my head from above and below.

It's like going back for the second helping at the all-you-can-eat casino buffet. Sure, I got roped into paying 9.95, I heaped my plate with sub-one dollar per unit items that filled me up and I feel good, but DAMN, this is an all-you-can-eat-buffet! I gotta get me some VALUE, so let me just soak up the grease in my stomach with this last morsel of bread at the table and go back for another heaping pile of pre-pressed riblets and STPP-riddled Coconut Shrimp skewers!

Get the point? There should be a warning label like:

"WARNING: Creating excessive enjoyment opportunities may cause permanent hearing loss, dizziness, and a complete lack of reason."

Maybe it's just I'm jealous because I'm still living the Napoleanic complex-inducing 5.1 dream. It could also be my anger over the picture above inaccurately representing either 7.1 or 9.1 (notice, no L/R side speakers). It's actually a hybrid 7.1 system that is capable of high and low front action, but no side audio. Or maybe it's just some deep-seeded resentment from my childhood fear of being yelled at for having the TV turned up too loud, manifesting itself into my hatred of audio bliss.

Whatever the reason, I think if I see an 11.1 system on the mass market soon, I may just go numb.