Guiria said:
I'm looking to upgrade to a 6.1 speaker setup. Currently my 5.1 setup has the surrounds about 3 feet above and 8 ft out from the 'sweet spot'. My so called sweet spot is on my couch lined up against the back wall (same wall as rear channels). My question is if I go with a 6.1, would I need to move my L&R rears to the side walls (my room is 20x15x8) and put the center rear on the backwall directly over my head? Or have all 3 rear channels on the back. It seems that if all 3 were on the back then I may as well leave it to 5.1. If the surroundfield would be improved by having the side surrounds in front of the main listening position and a center on the back wall (probably 3 feet above my head) then I will put in the 6.1. I guess some general guidance in the matter is all I'm really looking for. Thanks in advance.
It may help if you post a drawing of your setup. You can make something fairly basic and quick in paint.
Before you fully commit to anything, I'd probably do some sort of basic experiment to see if you like the extra channel (Personally, I do but not everyone does). Search for "7.1" to find lots of threads on this topic. Try moving your couch forward a few feet and placing your surrounds on something(a ladder or bookshelf) at 90 degrees to your listening position. Then place the sixth channel behind you and listen to something like the attack scene from Pearl Harbor or the opening scene in Saw. 6.1 (7.1) is not night and day on most movies out, but on the ones it makes a difference on it is noticeable.
If you like the effect of the extra channel you may want to adjust your room to add it. One of my friends who didn't have room to move his couch forward put his rear surround (7.1) speakers on the floor between his couch and the back wall firing up and he likes the effect. If you don't like the effect, you can put everything back where it was and feel happy that you made the right decision for your preferences.
