7.1 Side surrounds or rear surrounds?

[Methost]

I have chosen to go with Axiom speakers for my 7.1 System. I can not afford to upgrade all my speakers at once so I must purchase them a set at a time. My first purchase was one set of the Qs8 surround speakers because the rear speakers on me old 5.1 system were the worst ones I owned.

My question is this - Do I put the better pair pr speakers on the rear wall, or the side walls in my system? Which set of speakers in a 7.1 system will I want to sound better untill I can afford to add another set of Qs8s?

 

[supervij]

Methinks the better speakers should be on the side wall. Those are the ones that will receive discrete signals during 6.1 material, whereas the rear speakers will be given the same signal, and most of the time, it's just ambient sounds, although sometimes it is actual sounds, i.e., arrows whipping past from Gladiator. The sides will produce much more sound information than the rears, so make the sides the better speakers.

Can't answer your question about the speaker brands, though. Much more knowledgeable people on this forum can do that.

cheers,
supervij

 

[hunnybunny2383]

Yeap!! defenitely the side walls!!!

 

[Methost]

Thanks for the fast responses. Ill use the good ones as Sides. I also just added the 8" Axiom Sub to my system. So that leaves another set of surrounds, a set of loud speakers and a center left to buy. Of these 3 options, which will I see the most benifet from. IE, which should I buy next?

 

[supervij]

Get the front left and right speakers first. Even if you had nothing but a FL+FR, you could at least still do the movies and listen to 2-channel music. You can probably set your receiver to "ghost" the centre channel for now, but since you already have the side surrounds, get that centre channel next. If your main speakers (the front left and right) go down low enough, you can leave the sub for last.

So, from someone who's kind've a novice as well, the order should be:
front left and right
side surrounds
centre
subwoofer
rear surrounds

Actually, you should leave the rear surrounds for last since you'll be listening to far more 5.1 movies than 6.1 movies.

cheers,
supervij

 

[Methost]

Get the front left and right speakers first. Even if you had nothing but a FL+FR, you could at least still do the movies and listen to 2-channel music. You can probably set your receiver to "ghost" the centre channel for now, but since you already have the side surrounds, get that centre channel next. If your main speakers (the front left and right) go down low enough, you can leave the sub for last.

So, from someone who's kind've a novice as well, the order should be:
front left and right
side surrounds
centre
subwoofer
rear surrounds

Actually, you should leave the rear surrounds for last since you'll be listening to far more 5.1 movies than 6.1 movies.

cheers,
supervij

Well I already bought the Sub. It was the worst part of my existing system. I do have a set of little JBL speakers I use for the fronts right now. They arent bad so I could live with them a while if I had to. I have a bose >cough< Center channel so thats not too bad either. The rear speakers were junk and needed to be replaced.

If I buy the fronts next, Ill move my JBLs to the rears to hold me over till I get another set of Qs8s.

 

[malvado78]

If you are using this system for mainly movies, I would upgrade the center channel first for this is where most of the information in a movie outputted (i.e. dialog). I cannot stand low and muddied voices in a movie. But that is just me.

 

[jcPanny]

Axiom 8" Sub

I don't think that you'll be happy with the performance of the small Axiom sub. There flagship EP500/EP600 is great for a high end sub. However, for less money, a 10" or 12" HSU or SVS subwoofer will provide much more low end.
I would return the sub and use the money for your Axiom Front or center channel. Look at the M22tis or the M60s depending on your budget.

 

[Methost]

I don't think that you'll be happy with the performance of the small Axiom sub. There flagship EP500/EP600 is great for a high end sub. However, for less money, a 10" or 12" HSU or SVS subwoofer will provide much more low end.
I would return the sub and use the money for your Axiom Front or center channel. Look at the M22tis or the M60s depending on your budget.

Can you give me links to anyone who sells these and has some specs listed? I paid $400 for the Axiom sub. You think I can get a better deal please link me. Il can still change my order.

 

[Tomorrow]

Can you give me links to anyone who sells these and has some specs listed? I paid $400 for the Axiom sub. You think I can get a better deal please link me. Il can still change my order.

You might want to try this ------> http://www.hsuresearch.com/

or this ------> http://www.svsubwoofers.com/subs_boxes.htm

The Hsu and SVS 10" subs are terrific. Even the Hsu STF-1 will fill a good sized room with tight, expansive bass.

Good hunting and good luck with your system.

 

[Methost]

However, for less money, a 10" or 12" HSU or SVS subwoofer will provide much more low end.

I dont see any of these for less then the $400 I was going to pay for the Axiom. But I did take your advice and get the M22ti speakers instead of the sub. Ill keep my eyes open for a nice 10" in the $300 to $400 price range.