7.1 speaker recommendations (1 Viewer)

[AmusingistheDawn]

I want to take advantage of the new avr with 7.1 surround. I'd like to spend under $300 for a pair of rear surrounds. I was looking at Energy's CR100s. I have a few questions on 7.1 though...

If I have 2 surround speakers in my HT right now (in the upper corners of a square room)...where do I put the new set?

Do I use the better speakers for the sides or the rears? Do the sides have to go exactly on the sides? Can anyone give me some input.insight into 7.1. How much better than 5.1 is it? Will all the surrounds be used when I'm watching 5.1 stuff?

 

[boulderdashcci]

In a 7.1 setup the 'rears' should be to the sides, directly above or somewhat behind the listener (however dipoles are more lenient with placement, I have mine above and somewhat forward of my listening position since they direct sound along the wall), and the 'surround back' should be on the rear wall. If you've got your seating area right up to the rear wall, you probably wont benefit from this too much and it probably isn't worth doing.

That said, if you do want to do it, the speakers you picked out should be fine. However with the CRs being Bipole, I'd use those as your side wall speakers.

 

[jakewash]

Here is a link to the THX speaker set up for some more information.

THX Home Theater 7.1 Speaker System Layout