6.1 vs. 7.1

[macersl]

I am upgrading my receiver that can now encode EX/ES and am planning on getting rear surround speaker(s). My room is small and the couch will only be about a foot from the back wall. Is a single bipole (I think I’m spelling that right) rear center good enough? If I did go with 7.1, the width between the speakers would be about the same width as the couch. Otherwise they would be too close to the side surrounds. Would 6.1 or 7.1 be ideal?

2 more questions. If someone can help.

1. If I did go with the 6.1 setup, how would I input the speaker into the receiver? It's a HK 335. There is an input for each rear surround speaker but not one for the "mono rear" option.

2. Is it true that the rear surround speakers in EX/ES one discreet channel? So 7.1 is really 6.1.

 

[supervij]

Yes, 7.1 is actually 6.1 . . . sort of. That rear surround signal that is present for both EX and ES movies is a single signal. If you have 7.1, that one signal is sent to both rear surrounds. The argument against using a single speaker for a rear surround is that there's a weird phenomenon where the brain interprets sounds that are directly behind you as being in front of you. So if you do choose to use one speaker for a rear surround, it's probably best to use a bipole/dipole, as it will create a more diffuse sound, and negating that weird phenomenon I mentioned. Should you decide to use two rear surround speakers, I think you can go with bipole/dipoles, but most people prefer direct radiating.

If for space considerations you decide to go 6.1, use a bipole/dipole. If you have the space and want 7.1, I suggest two direct radiating speakers.

The manual for the receiver will likely tell you which rear surround output to use. If not, the receiver will tell you when you're setting it up.

Good luck!

cheers,
supervij