Patent ID: 7206648

Claim:
A multi-channel audio reproducing apparatus comprising: a decoder for decoding input audio signals in a predetermined multi-channel format having predetermined number (M) of channels; a predetermined number (N) of audio power amplifiers, the predetermined number (N) of audio power amplifiers being less than the predetermined number (M) of channels of input audio signals in the predetermined multi-channel format (M>N); user operation means for receiving user set-up information about a number (K) of speakers connected to said power amplifiers and placement thereof, the number (K) of speakers being less than the number (N) of audio power amplifiers; a signal processor arranged between said decoder and said power amplifiers for downmixing the predetermined number (M) of input audio signal channels and selecting output channels in accordance with the user set-up information such that the predetermined number (M) of input audio signal channels are produced on only K output channels corresponding to the K speakers; and a controller for controlling said signal processor in response to the user set-up information input by the said user operation means to output the predetermined number (M) of input audio signal channels on the (K) speakers.