When I upgraded to Samsung 3D TV in December of 2011, I also purchased a Pioneer VSX1121K Audio Receiver as I suspected my Sony would not carry through the 3D signal. The receiver has always worked great with 5.1.
A few months ago, I purchased my first house and immediately set to wiring the in ceiling speakers I always wanted. I wired it for 7.1, that is 3 in the front, 2 surround to the left and right, and 2 back surround a few feet behind the listening position, and inwards at a 45 degree angle from the side surround.
I also decided to create a media closet. I ran all the speaker wire myself and ended them in banana clips to make install easier on the receiver. For reasons to long to explain, all of the equipment is currently running to a makeshift outlet in my attic that is, in fact, ungrounded. This might be important.
Here's the problem. During a tone check, I get barely audible sound out the L and R surround (not rear), even when I increase the dB to the max. Believing it to be a receiver problem I sent that receiver to the shop. I have replaced it with my older Sony, which also happens to be 7.1 (and I was right the 3D does not pass through). When I ran the tone check on this, same problem! Also, I have switched the speakers to a different location and they work fine and the speakers that were previously working fine have the same problem when moved to that location.
Any thoughts? Also, both my receivers shut down when heavy bass hits. I don't have my SW hooked up yet, as I haven't decided on a location.
Your thoughts and help would be greatly appreciated.