Getting 5.1 from a 7.1 receiver

[soundsfine]

I am looking at buying an entry level HT system and have found a lot of good recommendations on this site for entry-level receivers. Many of them, like the Onkyo TX-SR503, are 7.1 receivers.

Initially, I am thinking that I will only be able to afford speakers for a 5.1 setup. Can 7.1 receivers be set up to correctly decode to just five speakers and a sub?

 

[MDS]

Yes, in the setup menu you just set the rear surround speakers to 'none'.

 

[jaxvon]

Yep. Most people only use their 7.1 receivers for a 5.1 setup anyway. Just read the manual on how to turn off speakers and such and you should be fine.