5.1 versus 7.1...needing help deciding (1 Viewer)

[Jack DeWees]

I've posted this same question in another forum, but wanted to see if anyone in here knew this answer. Here's the problem. I have looked at both 5.1 and 7.1 systems. I'm working with a space that is 17' x 12 1/2'. The set up is shaped like an "L" with the upper portion of the room dedicated to the home theater. So no back wall to work with. And in a space that is 17 x 12 1/2, would 7.1 be an overkill? Or with the right speakers, could I get it to work? What's the thought out there?

 

[Brian Fellmeth]

I'm sure this is a minority opinion, but I believe that the point of diminishing returns is going beyond 5.1. We only have 2 receivers (ears) afterall. When I added a rear center (5.1 to 6.1) the improvement was subtle to say the least.

 

[BrentMann]

Jack,

I'm going to disagree and say "yes, I believe it's worth it". I have an L shaped room that is deep and solved the problem cheaply and with a positive WAF. My receiver (an Integra 8.2) does 7.1, but I am currently only using 1 rear center (budget). I'm plan on adding a second rear when $ presents itself.

I get the speaker in the rear, I built a box with an end open towards the TV and bolted it to the ceiling. Painted it the same color as the ceiling and presto: cheap, appealing spot to place rear surround. I have an 8 ft ceiling, the box is roughly 1 ft high, so you've got to be pretty big it hit it. My initial response was not good, but after I angled the speaker toward the listening position and gave it a couple extra dB's it was all good.

There is a huge debate as to the benefit's of rear skr(s) on 5.1 encoded stuff, and I'm sure a lot has to do with the equipment (mechanical and biological), but I for one listen to nearly everything with the rear(s) on.

If your interested, I can post pictures of my rear center configuration.

Brent

 

[Garrett Lundy]

In the five or so years that DVD has been around, I have yet to hear about a single disc encoded for 7.1 playback. I could be wrong, But even if there are some...

*98% of all DVD's are 5.1 at best. Many are in mono. If I moved my "rear" speakers from the back corners where they are now, to my immediate left and right, so as to make room for speaker 6 and 7, wouldn't regular 5.1 audio sound somwhat distorted (They wouldn't "surround" me anymore)?

*Wouldn't it be cheaper and more practical to buy a 6.1 system? They make 6.1 DVD's (granted, very few) already..and they still don't have enough space on a disc to max-out the bit rate of 5.1 DTS, so I doubt that they're very busy engineering the 7.1 DTS option anyway.

Just my two cents.