5.1 and 7.1 for Music

[erik seel]

I am setting up a sound system in my workout room. I am using all in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. I have a television with two in-wall speakers and an in-wall center channel. This room will only be used for playing workout videos and listening to music while working out. If I put speakers in the ceiling for a 5.1 or 7.1 setup, will those speakers play music or will the music just come from the front (in-wall speakers)? Being music will be played 80% of the time versus videos I am trying to determine if putting speakers in the ceiling is worth the effort? Also, is a sub worth the effort for music? Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[herbu]

You determine where the music comes from with the setting on your receiver. All Channel Stereo will use all the speakers, at an equal volume, split into simply Left & Right channels. Stereo will use just the Left & Right speakers. Other settings will try to simulate a surround experience, using mainly the Left & Right speakers, but adding some sounds to the other speakers at a lower volume.

And YES, a subwoofer or 2 or 4 will make a HUUUGE difference. Highly recommended.

 

[2channel lover]

I am setting up a sound system in my workout room. I am using all in-wall and in-ceiling speakers. I have a television with two in-wall speakers and an in-wall center channel. This room will only be used for playing workout videos and listening to music while working out. If I put speakers in the ceiling for a 5.1 or 7.1 setup, will those speakers play music or will the music just come from the front (in-wall speakers)? Being music will be played 80% of the time versus videos I am trying to determine if putting speakers in the ceiling is worth the effort? Also, is a sub worth the effort for music? Thanks in advance for any help.

Herbu offered great advice.

My 2 cents.

Given this is primarily for workout videos and music while working out...I wouldn't go the extra expense for 7 channels unless you just really want 7 channels....Unless the room is really large, I'd probably try to get away with a 3.1 system to be honest.

I'm guessing here, but All Stereo mode is probably what you might use most if you want to hear music from all the speakers. I'm not sure if you're going to run across much workout content coded for 5.1, much less 7.1.

 

[lovinthehd]

Depends on the speakers as to whether their response needs help on the bottom end, but likely with in-wall and in-ceiling speakers subs would be the way to go. I wouldn't use in-ceiling speakers myself but YMMV.

You can matrix 2.0 content into 5.1 or 7.1 easily enough with avr sound modes like Dolby II/x/z or DTS Neo:6 or X. Most of the sound would be from the mains with such, so might depend where you position yourself in the room as to whether that would work for you, or as suggested perhaps the all-ch stereo modes most avrs have if you want equal output from all the speakers....

In my workshop I use 5.2 currently and will make that 7.2 next time I get the ladder out (speakers are mounted high up on the walls to keep the floor space open). I think 5.1 vs 7.1 setup would be more about overall room size as well as where in the room you will be when using it....

 

[BMXTRIX]

Remember, if you have rooms above the exercise room, any ceiling speakers will be blasting audio upwards into those rooms and you may get a lot of screaming from SWMBO when you go to play your music while working out.

I would stick with in-wall speakers, everywhere if possible, especially in an exercise room which often has hard surface floors and is a very bright environment for audio. Sure, 5.1 is great if you are going to be watching movies, but for this room... well it is up to you. I probably would go with the 5.1 setup no matter what. Acceptable audio from decent in wall speakers can be nice, and when watching movies it's fun to have.

As described, A/V receivers have multiple surround modes, including 5.1 (or 7.1) stereo, which plays stereo music to all the speakers.