Home Theater System Question - Im a Newbie

[Bronti80]

I have a 7.1 Receiver, but currently only 5.1 speaker set. My question is regarding the 2 surround speakers. The house I have came with 2 speakers already mounted/wired in the rear wall behind the couch. (Couch is in center of room, wall is about 8ft behind couch). They point straight ahead and are up toward the ceiling. My question is, when connecting those speakers to the receiver, do I connect to the connections labeled "surround" L/R or the connection labeled "Surround back" L/R?

Thanks for the help

 

[MDS]

Surround L/R are the side surround speakers for 5.1 whereas Surround Back L/R are the sixth and seventh speakers for 7.1. You can't use the surround back speaker outputs unless you also have speakers connected to the surround speaker outputs.

You'll have to use the Surround L/R connections even though the speakers are technically behind you and not to the sides (90 - 110 degrees from the listening position is the Dolby recommended placement for side surrounds.)

My house came wired for speakers in the ceiling too but mine are directly above the couch so also not really ideally located for use as the side surrounds.

 

[mpompey]

Do you have 5.1 speakers in addition to the ones pre-installed in your room? (7.1 speakers in total) If so, then plug those pre-installed speakers into the Surround Back jacks in your receiver, then use your 5.1 speakers in the L-C-R-RS-LS speaker jacks in the receiver. Welcome to 7.1 surround!

You may find that 7.1 doesn't sound that much difference from 5.1 mixes though.