Understanding the Channels Used by Surround Formats

This section provides details on the channels used by each of the supported surround formats.

Surround Format
Channels used
Quadraphonic
L - R - Ls - Rs
LCRS (Pro Logic)
L - C - R - S
5.1 (ITU 775)
L - C - R - Ls - Rs - LFE
6.1 (ES/EX)
L - C - R - Ls - S - Rs - LFE
7.1 (3/4.1)
L - C - R - Lm - Rm - Ls - Rs - LFE
7.1 (SDDS)
L - Lc - C - Rc - R - Ls - Rs - LFE
Table Key
  • L = (Front) Left

  • Lc = Left Center

  • C = Center

  • Rc = Right Center

  • R = (Front) Right

  • Lm = Left Mid

  • Rm = Right Mid

  • Ls = Left Surround (Rear Left)

  • S = Surround (Rear Center)

  • Rs = Right Surround (Rear Right)

  • LFE = Low Frequency Effects