How should a 6.1 system handle 7.1 audio

[rubberduck]

When I do a 7.1 channel test on my 6.1 setup, the rear left and rear right channels both play exclusively though my rear centre speaker. Is this working as it should? I would assume with 6.1 the rear left/right channels would be split between the rear speaker and the corresponding surround left or right.

Thanks

 

[Purgatory]

That's correct the Rear BACK Surround L+R (Rear Centre) will be the single rear channel where it sums up (left+right back) the rear effects to the one speaker (Rear Centre), the rear surrounds should be left and right to their own speakers. That is how 6.1 works with 7.1 or 5.1 up mixed.

Check here the 6.1 setup http://www.circuitstoday.com/multi-channel-surround-sound-systems