5.1 or 7.1-is it worth the sound

[BobCSmith]

I'm currently using a HK AVR 520 but build a new home theater room in a new house being built. The HK 520 supports 7.1 with a sperate amp, I'm considering using the Acoustech home theater speakers. The room will be 11X17, going long ways, and using video projection.
My questions are, for this size room how much difference is there between 5.1 and 7.1 sound, do the extra two speaker fill in the sound of the room that much better?
My other question, if going to 7.1, am I best to buy a seperate amp and use the AVR520 (I love the amp , but it also dosen't support THX) or purchase a new Reciever that has 7.1 intergrated (I was looking at the Pioneer 1015 or 9300)? I have another room that is going to have a Samsung 6168 so I can use ether this reciever or another in that room (this room can't be used or setup for 7.1). Any help appreciated..thanks

 

[Mort Corey]

I don't believe that there's that much material really making full use of 7.1 surround....even 6.1ex is still pretty limited. Not having room for 7.1 in my room, I really can't comment if the extra two speakers make that much difference....I would assume that the extra channels are matrixed somehow with 5.1 material.

I wouldn't worry too much about THX per se (more hype than function IMO) and, if you're happy with your present receiver, then the easy solution would to be to purchase a two channel amp, likey let it power your mains, and let the receiver handle the other five channels.

Mort

 

[j_garcia]

I ran a 6.1 setup for almost a year. I'm now back to 5.1 because my current place doesn't have a good spot for a rear center. Guess what, I don't really miss 6.1, and I have a fairly large room. It does add some presence, but unless you have a large room, it isn't going to buy you a considerable improvement in sound over a properly done 5.1 setup.

I agree with Mort, just go with a 2ch amp and you're all set. If you can reassign the main channels to the rears, then what he says will work. If not, then just use the amp to drive the rears.

 

[BobCSmith]

The HK AVR 520 has the power and hookup for 5.1 and rear speakers, it just requires a second amp to power additional rears for 6.1/7.1 (it has outputs for the extra channels).
So far I'm hearing that it may not be worth the additional expense.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Keep the HK

Stick with your existing HK receiver. It's a great unit. The only reason I'd go with 6.1 or higher is for DTS ES Discrete movies. They are awesome, but theres only a handful out there. Plus, you need room for the rear center speaker(s). Many rooms don't allow for 7 speakers (or even 6). THX is overrated. When you do decide to upgrade, do as the others have said. Buy a nice beefy stereo amp. They can be had off Ebay for under $250.

 

[RLA]

Hello All
Have to agree, if you don’t have a back wall or the space behind the listening position for proper EX channel placement then it will not yield much performance.

On another note I am currently experimenting with a single
Channel mounted directly over the listening position in conjunction with the EX channels for an 8.1 configuration. I am matrixing the high over head channel from the EX channels I am getting pretty good results with this from action movies with allot of flyover type pans. Movies like SW, X-Men ect… sound pretty good. Next step is to get an old Circle surround EX JR and try different delay times.

 

[benolium]

I'm currently using a HK AVR 520 but build a new home theater room in a new house being built. The HK 520 supports 7.1 with a sperate amp, I'm considering using the Acoustech home theater speakers. The room will be 11X17, going long ways, and using video projection.
My questions are, for this size room how much difference is there between 5.1 and 7.1 sound, do the extra two speaker fill in the sound of the room that much better?
My other question, if going to 7.1, am I best to buy a seperate amp and use the AVR520 (I love the amp , but it also dosen't support THX) or purchase a new Reciever that has 7.1 intergrated (I was looking at the Pioneer 1015 or 9300)? I have another room that is going to have a Samsung 6168 so I can use ether this reciever or another in that room (this room can't be used or setup for 7.1). Any help appreciated..thanks

Good choice on the Bic System. I just set mine up.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12447&page=8&pp=10

 

[Nomo]

Hello All
Have to agree, if you don’t have a back wall or the space behind the listening position for proper EX channel placement then it will not yield much performance.

On another note I am currently experimenting with a single
Channel mounted directly over the listening position in conjunction with the EX channels for an 8.1 configuration. I am matrixing the high over head channel from the EX channels I am getting pretty good results with this from action movies with allot of flyover type pans. Movies like SW, X-Men ect… sound pretty good. Next step is to get an old Circle surround EX JR and try different delay times.

I think it does it does come down to whether or not there is a place for the 6/7.1 EX speaker(s). IMO the difference between 6.1 and 5.1 sound is astounding.

RLA,
Sounds like a cool idea. Keep us posted.

 

[T2T]

Bob,

Like the others have commented, There's not a real need for 7.1 at the moment. It's good to have the option of expanding down the road, too.

With that being said, if you are considering the Acoustech speakers, I'd hold onto your H/K receiver - or consider something else from their current lineup. I was driving the Acoustech speakers with a Pioneer Elite and also an H/K at times. Pioneer was good for movies. H/K was good for both movies and music. Jumped to a digital receiver, the Panasonic SX55. However, the Panny is bright and not too good of a match with the Acoustech speakers.

[shameless plug] If anyone lives in the Wash, DC area and is looking at the Acoustech speakers, I'm selling my 6 m.o. 3 front Acoustech speakers for $325. Plus, you can hear 'em before you buy 'em. Driven by H/K and fed with an Onix XCD-88 player.

 

[cam]

In my room I have 11 feet behind my couch. My room is 14 ft wide by 25 ft long. Sounds like a good situation to put 1 or 2 center rear speakers right? Well, I set up a 5.1 set up first with di-poles to my sides. A denon 1804, Paradigm monitor 7's for mains, a cc 370 for the center and some adp 370's for my side surrounds all v3's. It sounds awesome. But everyone was talking about 6.1/7.1 being better especially if you have room behind your couch. I first put a center speaker as my center rear (a cc 370). My denon would ex or es every 5.1 soundtrack, and all my surround sound would collapse to the rear making for a narrow sound. I was told that I need 2 center rears so I traded back my cc 370 and I got 2 mini monitors for my center rears. Every single 5.1 soundtrack that I tried with my receiver trying to either ex or es the sound would default the sound to the center rears, and my side surrounds which are my di-poles would be doing barely anything. When I actually tried a DD EX dvd or a true DTS 6.1 discreet, it did sound good, but absolutey no better then my original 5.1 set up with my di-poles. Maybe if your room is huge you may benefit from the extra rear speakers, but for the most part, a 5.1 setup done properly will yield the best results. It is hard for me to say this because I have always been a person who thought that more is better, but the 6.1/7.1 craze is manufacturer over rated. If 7.1 was all that I would be trying to stuff 9.1 into my room. You can never have too much horsepower in your car or too much audio power in your amp, but you can definetly have too many speakers within your HT setup.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Agree

In my room I have 11 feet behind my couch. My room is 14 ft wide by 25 ft long. Sounds like a good situation to put 1 or 2 center rear speakers right? Well, I set up a 5.1 set up first with di-poles to my sides. A denon 1804, Paradigm monitor 7's for mains, a cc 370 for the center and some adp 370's for my side surrounds all v3's. It sounds awesome. But everyone was talking about 6.1/7.1 being better especially if you have room behind your couch. I first put a center speaker as my center rear (a cc 370). My denon would ex or es every 5.1 soundtrack, and all my surround sound would collapse to the rear making for a narrow sound. I was told that I need 2 center rears so I traded back my cc 370 and I got 2 mini monitors for my center rears. Every single 5.1 soundtrack that I tried with my receiver trying to either ex or es the sound would default the sound to the center rears, and my side surrounds which are my di-poles would be doing barely anything. When I actually tried a DD EX dvd or a true DTS 6.1 discreet, it did sound good, but absolutey no better then my original 5.1 set up with my di-poles. Maybe if your room is huge you may benefit from the extra rear speakers, but for the most part, a 5.1 setup done properly will yield the best results. It is hard for me to say this because I have always been a person who thought that more is better, but the 6.1/7.1 craze is manufacturer over rated. If 7.1 was all that I would be trying to stuff 9.1 into my room. You can never have too much horsepower in your car or too much audio power in your amp, but you can definetly have too many speakers within your HT setup.

Cam,

Great post. I agree 100%. I have a 7.1 system, and I actually disengage my two rear "center" speakers when I'm not playing a DTS ES Discrete or DD 6.1 dvd. I do like the sound of 7.1 stereo out of my Denon, but you really do lose the effect with a matrixed 6.1 or 7.1 sound.

 

[rgriffin25]

Sorry guys, I have to disagree. I like my 7.1 set-up. For me it adds more depth to a movie. I will agree that the DTS 6.1 ES movies do sound the best. However I don't think the rear channels detract from the information being sent to surr right and left.

I am sure a lot can be said about the room you are trying to accomplish this in. In my HT not only do I have room for the surr back speakers, they sit approx 6 feet away from my couch. So I guess I am one of the lucky ones that can have my speakers set up like the diagram suggests.

So like many of you have stated, its not for everyone. I just happen to be one of those that enjoys the fuller sound you get by having the extra speakers.

 

[BobCSmith]

I am sure a lot can be said about the room you are trying to accomplish this in. In my HT not only do I have room for the surr back speakers, they sit approx 6 feet away from my couch. So I guess I am one of the lucky ones that can have my speakers set up like the diagram suggests.

I've always read that the rears should be at least 6" from the cieling, at least 2' from the listeners ears, and no more than 6' behind rear seating area. We are getting the reclining type theater seating and was going to leave about a two feet between the back wall and the seating for the rears. If 6' is the max, what is the minimum, and what is the optimum distances.
I guess this went a little off my original topic comparing 5.1 to 7.1...oh well.
By the way thanks for everyone help...I think I decided to use the HK AVR 520 in the room with a 5.1 setup for now and the Acoustech speaker setup.
I need to still by another amp for another room with lip sync adustment..that will be amother topic down the road.