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5.1
Ls
C
L
R
Rs
7.1SDDS
Lc
Rc
7.1DS
Lrs
Rrs
LFE
C
L
R
LFE
C
L
R
LFE
Ls
Rs
Ls
Rs
New Name
(abbreviation)
Description
Previous Name
(abbreviation)
Left surround
(Ls)
Typically an array of loudspeakers positioned along the left
side of the room starting approximately 1/3 of the distance
from the screen to the back wall and the left side of the
rear wall. Left surround may not extend to the back wall of
the auditorium in some soundfield configurations,
particularly when Left rear surround is present.
Left Surround
(LS)
Right
surround (Rs)
Typically an array of loudspeakers positioned along the
right side of the room starting approximately 1/3 of the
distance from the screen to the back wall and the right side
of the rear wall. Right surround may not extend to the back
of the auditorium in some soundfield configurations,
particularly when Right rear surround is present.
Right Surround
(RS)
Left rear
surround (Lrs)
One or more loudspeakers typically on the back wall of the
room to the left horizontally.
Back Surround
Left (BSL)
Right rear
surround
(Rrs)
One or more loudspeakers typically on the back wall of the
room to the right horizontally.
Back Surround
Right (BSR)
Left center
(Lc)
Mid left to center screen loudspeaker. This loudspeaker
position is typically between the center of the screen and
the left edge of the screen, usually closer to the left.
Left Center (LC)
Right center
(Rc)
Mid right to center screen loudspeaker. This loudspeaker
position is typically between the center of the screen and
the right edge of the screen, usually closer to the right.
Right Center
(RC)
Soundfield Configurations
The standard soundfield configurations (or speaker configurations) as defined by SMPTE are
shown in the diagram below. Note there are two defined 7.1 configurations. One (7.1DS) has
rear surround speakers, while the other (7.1SDDS) extends the side surround speakers to the
rear wall and adds left center and right center speakers.
