5.1 or 7.1?

[m1brock]

I'm trying to decide between an Onkyo 5.1 or 7.1 system. My current entertainment room set up would facilitate a 5.1 system, but it's not ideal for a 7.1 ( no wall on the right side and the couch is flush to the back wall). I want to buy a system that I'll be happy with for a while, so I'm leaning towards a 7.1.

Will the Onkyo 7.1 HT - S5300 work like a 5.1 if I only connect 5 speakers?

This will be my first HTS purchase, any recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Entity]

It's completely acceptable to run just 5.1 speakers on a 7.1 system. I, and many others do just exactly that

 

[markw]

Unless you can properly position those last two speakers behind, not above, the couch, 7.1 is a waste of speakers.

You can easily purchase a 7.1 receiver now and use it for 5.1 for now and when you grow into the proper environment, add the last two channels.

 

[3db]

Listen to markw. That is good advice. If you know you may move into a bigger home that could facilitate 7.1, then by a 7.1 receiver. If you aren't going to move, you could always use them in a 2nd or 3rd zone configuration having music piped to two other rooms.

 

[Guinness6]

Markw & 3db both have good points.

I have a 7.1 receiver but only use 5.1. I use the two additional speaker ports to hook up speakers in the dinig room to help pump music throughout the house...

 

[tonedeaf]

Unless you can properly position those last two speakers behind, not above, the couch, 7.1 is a waste of speakers.

You can easily purchase a 7.1 receiver now and use it for 5.1 for now and when you grow into the proper environment, add the last two channels.

I thought it was better,according to dolby,to mount rear speakers 2to 3 feet above ear level?
Is it better to have theses speakers pointed straight ahead or angled to listening position?
I have a dedicated rec room 11 x 20 and am able to sit center room in a nice comfortable recliner
I do have a couch against the wall where the back surrounds are,but don't sit there during movies or music listening.

 

[markw]

I thought it was better,according to dolby,to mount rear speakers 2 to 3 feet above ear level?

This is pretty much true, but this and what I said are not mutually exclusive, are they?
Actually, I think many installations actually mount them higher, nearer the ceiling.

Is it better to have theses speakers pointed straight ahead or angled to listening position?

I don't think either is mandatory since it is virtually all ambiance.

I have a dedicated rec room 11 x 20 and am able to sit center room in a nice comfortable recliner
I do have a couch against the wall where the back surrounds are,but don't sit there during movies or music listening.

Good for you. Not so good for the couch potatoes.

 

[walter duque]

This was my rear section, with up firing rear surrounds. Did it work, yes. I did make some minor changes since then.

 

[Sylar]

Considering that I have a 5.1/7.1 receiver, and I buy only the fronts nd woofer initially. Now playing a movie with surround sound effects 5/7 channel, would that mean that since I have only 2 speakers the amplifier automatically route all audio to front? Or do I need to use it in stereo mode?

Extension to the OP's question, playing 7.1 in 5.1 mode. Does the amp automatically detect this and route the sound meant for the 6th n 7th channel to the 4th n 5th channel or is it just lost?