5.1 vs 7.1

[TheFactor]

Hey guys im thinking about going back to 7.1 and not passive bi-amping my fronts any longer. Would that be a good move and is there a noticeable difference ?Im really happy with my setup but im board "a little " lol . As most of you know im running all paradigms speakers all the info's in my sig. Is it that important to match with my Surround backs ? Im thinking about either some digms adp 170v4 "whitch kind of match" or def tech bp6 or def tech monitor 450's . Eventually I might put them into my bedroom ht since I gave all my polks rti's to a good friend that helped me move a while back so im speaker less upstairs so It might be just temporarily im my main system unless I really like them. Oh and another speaker I was considering was from my very favorite Beloved SVS Maybe the sbs-o1 or there scs-01 as sb or later maybe my upstairs setup . Wells guys let the suggestions fly and let me know what you guys think . BTW I oh it all to everyone hear for helping me build my first real HT and im loving it. Thanks again and in advance for my next upgrades

 

[jostenmeat]

IMHO, match as closely as you can, if the price difference is easy enough to swallow. I've done a host of combinations the last couple of years, and matching is definitely discernible. Yeah, yeah, surrounds are less important in the grand scheme, and I agree, but it doesn't mean that you can't easily tell the difference.

I can even tell when they're the same brand, but different lineup. I know, I recently have. I've done mismatched brands; I've even done mismatched among the front three. The best of course is the same darn identical speaker.

I'm sure you'll figure something out.

 

[MatthewB.]

Matching the front three is more important than the surrounds (which are just used as ambient effects) if money permits, i would try to match your mains as close as possible, if money is an issue check out audiogon for used that match and if that can't be done then try and at least match the mid range and tweeter driver size and a speaker that can closely match your mains.

7.1 is very important if you have a bluray player, because there are more and more movies in 7.1 (and alot of video games are also encoded at 7.1) Now if you have a small room than 5.1 will be just fine and you may only get incremental beneffits by adding 7.1, but you may not notice it. I added 7.1 to my master bedroom system and you can't even tell that the rear channels are there when compared to how well the 5.1 sounded. Now with my great room system it benefitted greatly by going to 7.1 and you can clearly tell a difference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

IMO, if you just want more "AMBIENT" sound, then just crank up the surround levels.

I've done 7.1 (blu-ray 7.1 LPCM, 7.1 DTS-HD MA) and I cannot tell the difference from 5.1 once the surround levels are matched.

But when you think about it, if they put 50% of the soundtrack in the Center channel, and most of the rest to the front Left & Right speakers, how much "real" information goes to the surrounds - regardless of how many surround speakers you have?

Surround speakers are no big deal. Practically any type of speakers will do, so matching is not an issue IMO.

If you feel the need for 7.1, then go for it. There is no harm done.

 

[TheFactor]

IMO, if you just want more "AMBIENT" sound, then just crank up the surround levels.

I've done 7.1 (blu-ray 7.1 LPCM, 7.1 DTS-HD MA) and I cannot tell the difference from 5.1 once the surround levels are matched.

But when you think about it, if they put 50% of the soundtrack in the Center channel, and most of the rest to the front Left & Right speakers, how much "real" information goes to the surrounds - regardless of how many surround speakers you have?

Surround speakers are no big deal. Practically any type of speakers will do, so matching is not an issue IMO.

If you feel the need for 7.1, then go for it. There is no harm done.

Whitch speaker would you prefer the Definitive Technology BP6 BP6B Bi-Polar or the 450 ?

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Whitch speaker would you prefer the Definitive Technology BP6 BP6B Bi-Polar or the 450 ?

I would pick the Definitive BP6, but I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I've used the BP10 & SM450 for surround speakers before and they were both awesome.

 

[TheFactor]

I would pick the Definitive BP6, but I don't think you can go wrong with either.

I've used the BP10 & SM450 for surround speakers before and they were both awesome.

Thanks I think i've narrowed it down to the BP6 FOR 449 plus 50 dollars shipped with free shipping for the pair on the 450's for 389 shipped new in the box . Are those fair prices ? Also I dont know if this would open another can of worms but I do listen to extended stereo periodically so do you think they would blend ok with my system. Eventually They might be going in my upstairs system and def techs were one of my top choices when building my main system so they could easily end up upstairs later as a starting point but for now in my main HT . The clarity with def techs were amazing .

 

[MatthewB.]

Well since you have it narrowed down to the BP6 or Studio 450's if I was given teh choice I would go with the 450's because the BP6's have small mid range driver but a larger cabinet, those tiny mid range drivers have to work harder to work in conjuntion with the larger cabinet to reach lower bass levels. Where the 450's don't have to work quite as hard and have that passive radiator to help push the 6.5" mid range drivers. You have to remember that a 6.5" is more than enough for surround sound duty and the 450's are in a smaller box, so placement is far easier than the BP6's in hanging on a wall or placement period.

This thread is making me regret selling my two pair of BP10's to buy my BP7001sc, but size was a real issue with those BP10's to use in my great room, so I went with the 450's (better women acceptance factor) but I am quite pleased with the sound and sometimes feel that 10's would've sounded great as surrounds but would've been far too much for surrounds, considering I am using a sub. Although am jealous of you guys using full range towers in your rooms all the way around.

 

[TheFactor]

Ok guys im minutes away from pulling the trigger on the 450's, what ya think should I do it The Free shipping, the placement convenience of being able to set them on my end tables on the sides of the couch are a plus.... DESICIONS DESICIONS

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thanks I think i've narrowed it down to the BP6 FOR 449 plus 50 dollars shipped with free shipping for the pair on the 450's for 389 shipped new in the box . Are those fair prices ? Also I dont know if this would open another can of worms but I do listen to extended stereo periodically so do you think they would blend ok with my system. Eventually They might be going in my upstairs system and def techs were one of my top choices when building my main system so they could easily end up upstairs later as a starting point but for now in my main HT . The clarity with def techs were amazing .

Do you already have speaker stands for the SM450s? If not, that's another $50 or so.

So the BP6s are new or used?

Both of those prices are pretty good if brand new.

Anyway, The Audio Critic reviewed the SM450s and praised it in comparison to the B&W 800 Matrix towers. The SM450s are great speakers.

Stereo Review praised the BP8 & BP10.

Since we are talking about surround speakers, I doubt that much power will be needed considering that most power will be to the front 3 speakers and subwoofer.

And since we are talking about surround speakers, I would go for the least expensive option.

The only reason I'm using the BP7001SC for surrounds is because I'm crazy.

If I were building an entire system, I would get the same brand (Def Tech, Paradigm, etc.) and match every driver (1" tweeters, 6.5" midrange-woofers, etc.). That's just the way my brain works. Borderline obsessive-compulsive?

With that being said, I doubt that I could hear the difference between a 6.5" driver and a 3.5" driver.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Ok guys im minutes away from pulling the trigger on the 450's, what ya think should I do it The Free shipping, the placement convenience of being able to set them on my end tables on the sides of the couch are a plus.... DESICIONS DESICIONS

I think the SM450s are sexier than the BP6. They are easier to place than bi-polar speakers. They do sound great.

I really can't tell any difference between the SM450s and the BP7001SC as Surround speakers!

Unlike the front 3 channels + subwoofer, there's not much BASS in ANY surround sound channels.

 

[TheFactor]

Do you already have speaker stands for the SM450s? If not, that's another $50 or so.

So the BP6s are new or used?

Both of those prices are pretty good if brand new.

Anyway, The Audio Critic reviewed the SM450s and praised it in comparison to the B&W 800 Matrix towers. The SM450s are great speakers.

Stereo Review praised the BP8 & BP10.

Since we are talking about surround speakers, I doubt that much power will be needed considering that most power will be to the front 3 speakers and subwoofer.

And since we are talking about surround speakers, I would go for the least expensive option.

The only reason I'm using the BP7001SC for surrounds is because I'm crazy.

If I were building an entire system, I would get the same brand (Def Tech, Paradigm, etc.) and match every driver (1" tweeters, 6.5" midrange-woofers, etc.). That's just the way my brain works. Borderline obsessive-compulsive?

With that being said, I doubt that I could hear the difference between a 6.5" driver and a 3.5" driver.

There both new in sealed boxes and not refurbished, I just pulled the trigger on the 450's for 389 shipped BTW I was hoping you were going to chime in because you are the deftech guy I appreciate your input. No I dont have stands but was thinking for starters I was going to put them on my end tables or maybe later getting stands. If worse comes to worse and I dont like them in my current system i'll use them for my upstairs HT and build a complete def tech ht but hopefully they'll work good in my main system.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

There both new in sealed boxes and not refurbished, I just pulled the trigger on the 450's for 389 shipped BTW Im hoping you were going to chime in because you are the deftech guy I appreciate your input. No I dont have stands but was thinking for starters I was going to put them on my end tables or maybe later getting stands. If worse comes to worse and I dont like them in my current system i'll use them for my upstairs HT and build a complete def tech ht but hopefully they'll work good in my main system.

I've listened to the SM450s in my HT room for about 6 months. I feel that they will fit in with ANY speaker system out there. They are excellent speakers. The Audio Critic measured the SM450s and said that the bass limit of the SM450 is around 50 Hz, which is fine for a Monitor speaker. They are very accurate. When compared to the B&W 800 Matrix, practically the only difference is in the bass.

When comparing the SM450 to the BP7000SC, I think the only difference is also in the bass. The tweeter and midrange of the SM450 are excellent.

 

[TheFactor]

I've listened to the SM450s in my HT room for about 6 months. I feel that they will fit in with ANY speaker system out there. They are excellent speakers. The Audio Critic measured the SM450s and said that the bass limit of the SM450 is around 50 Hz, which is fine for a Monitor speaker. They are very accurate. When compared to the B&W 800 Matrix, practically the only difference is in the bass.

When comparing the SM450 to the BP7000SC, I think the only difference is also in the bass. The tweeter and midrange of the SM450 are excellent.

Nice thats great reviews and im not to concerned with bass since I have a PB13 but its still good to know. I was more interested in accuracy"If thats the correct term " and clarirty. I had auditioned a def tech center channel I cant remember the model # but I was amazed with its vocals and clarity and had second guessed my self for a short time when I went with my digm system although ultimately im very very happy now. I was concerned my cat was going to use them as a scratching post and that was one of the reasons I didnt go with them but other than that it was a hard choice between def techs and my current system with the Paradigms . Heres a couple of quick pics and the end tables is were I plan on putting my 450's. Hopefully theyll sound good there. So SRB go behind you and the SB should go beside you wright

 

[TheFactor]

Heres a front view of the end tables were the 450's are going

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Should be good.

Yeah, the Back Surrounds go behind you and the Side Surrounds point directly to your side.

So the SM450 will be your Side Surrounds.

 

[TheFactor]

Should be good.

Yeah, the Back Surrounds go behind you and the Side Surrounds point directly to your side.

So the SM450 will be your Side Surrounds.

Thats what im thinking but I could always swap them and put my digms on the side and the SM450's behind for back surrounds if it would make a difference.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Thats what im thinking but I could always swap them and put my digms on the side and the SM450's behind for back surrounds if it would make a difference.

Yeah, personal preference, but I always preferred my surround sound to my sides better. It just feels more "involving".

But no right or wrong here.

 

[TheFactor]

Yeah, personal preference, but I always preferred my surround sound to my sides better. It just feels more "involving".

But no right or wrong here.

I see what your saying but I meant just switching the speakers around but leave the wiring configuration the same like surround sound to sides and sr to the rear but just switching the speakers like 450's for the rear and the digms for the sides if that makes any sense lol

 

[TheFactor]

Should I set my AVR to have them small ? Thats how I have all my speakers set at even though they can handle bass. Its What I read is the best thing to do but its hard mentaly to set them all small lol .