Do you think the march to more channels in surround sound is slowing down?

Unless it’s proven otherwise since, a 2007 study cited on and around page 350 of Dr. Toole’s book “Sound Reproduction: The Acoustics and Psychoacoustics of Loudspeakers and Rooms, 3rd Edition” , clearly shows no statistical preference for 12 speakers vs 5 speakers in the current Dolby 5.1 recommended locations.

To be fair, it does not study speaker locations that are not in the horizontal plane.

Also, I think you make a fair point too, @Sonnie , that more speakers could be filling in gaps in the sound field. However some of that could be to make up for less than ideal speaker placement or room acoustics. Regardless, if it’s a solution to a problem then that’s fine, so long as wall call it what it is without a blanket statement of more is better.

From my own situation, I noticed very little difference in going from 5.1 to 7.1. And TBH, there’s not a ton of difference in the sound field with or without atmos. It’s impossible for enthusiasts to make valid comparisons though as the mix and/or streaming compression can be different and our auditory memory short and unreliable.

So, for me personally, unless there is some kind of actual evidence provided from a respected source and not from a company with financial gain on the line, my funds are staying put, march or no march.