Is there any huge advantage to 7.1/7.2 over 5.1?

[OhioGuy25]

I have a Yamaha HTR-5150 that I bought back in 2000 when I worked at Best Buy. It was pretty good at the time and still works great, has no HDMI inputs but is 5.1 and has digital coax and optical inputs as well as a number of theater modes. I recently worked at best buy again briefly in between jobs and through the employee accommodations program got a full set of Klipsch surround speakers, 2 towers, a center, a sub and 2 surrounds. I haven't hooked it all up yet but I also have a projector and a nice screen.

I was at best buy getting some cables and I noticed the new receivers now offer 7.1 and 7.2 channel surround as well as Bluetooth capability. Would I notice any huge difference w 7 channels or would it be a waste of money to upgrade? If not would there be any other reason to upgrade? I have an extra pair of bookshelf klipsch I bought w the set that I could use but only if it would add to the experience significantly. I would also like the option of playing music from my phone through my system but I was told there is an adapter that goes through the headphone jack, is this going to be pretty much as good of quality as an actual Bluetooth capable receiver? Thanks!

 

[XEagleDriver]

OH Guy,
IMHO:
7.1 vs. 5.1 depends a lot on the room. The room needs to have enough space behind the listening position to properly separate the surrounds from the rear surrounds or 7.1 won't add much over the 5.1 experience.
- Quality of rear-surround speakers not overly important for HT, they receive relatively little content, and are not used in most multi-channel music situations.
- Quality of the surround speakers (i.e. 5.1) is important, IF multi-channel music is a goal.

7.1 vs. 7.2 two subs normally better than one. Allows smoother bass across multiple HT seating positions. The hard decision is typically between getting one better (i.e. more expensive) sub vs. two lesser (i.e. cheaper) subs.

BT Connection is extremely convenient; no adapters, no wires, change songs/channels from your seat--I installed after-market BT receivers on all my systems. Personally, I would not buy a new AVR without onboard BT (and WiFi).

Most of the time, upgrading an AVR is to get: newer connections (i.e. HDMI 2.X), newer CODECS (i.e. ATMOS), newer video pass-through/processing (i.e. UHD, HDR), better audio correction capability (i.e. Audyessy Multi-EQ), or a better on-screen interface.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I'll go! Not sure what phone you have, but I'm not convinced Bluetooth audio is good enough yet. An airport express by Apple is what I use even though my avr has apps built in for it. It connects with a 3.5 to stereo rca pair. I can stream from my phone, or any pc on the network. Plus, when I use Spotify out of my phone via AirPlay, I have volume control in my pocket, and it stops for phone calls etc.
For 7.1, if it's easy to try, go for it. IMO though, you need 4-5' behind the LP min. I went from 5.3 to 7.3 a while back, and honestly the difference was subtle. I also don't like what PLIIx does to 5.1 tracks. I have movies that have 5.1 tracks on them and when I listen in 5.1 they provide a great sound envelope that extends behind the LP.(very much like 7.1 tracks in a 7.1 mode). In PLIIx, the illusion is gone and the rear sound field is turned into a blob of sound. Ymmv. So I would say if it's not a pain to wire it up, and you have room behind the LP, go for it. But choose playback wisely, as having the right tool on use will make a difference.

 

[OhioGuy25]

OH Guy,
IMHO:
7.1 vs. 5.1 depends a lot on the room. The room needs to have enough space behind the listening position to properly separate the surrounds from the rear surrounds or 7.1 won't add much over the 5.1 experience.
- Quality of rear-surround speakers not overly important for HT, they receive relatively little content, and are not used in most multi-channel music situations.
- Quality of the surround speakers (i.e. 5.1) is important, IF multi-channel music is a goal.

7.1 vs. 7.2 two subs normally better than one. Allows smoother bass across multiple HT seating positions. The hard decision is typically between getting one better (i.e. more expensive) sub vs. two lesser (i.e. cheaper) subs.

BT Connection is extremely convenient; no adapters, no wires, change songs/channels from your seat--I installed after-market BT receivers on all my systems. Personally, I would not buy a new AVR without onboard BT (and WiFi).

Most of the time, upgrading an AVR is to get: newer connections (i.e. HDMI 2.X), newer CODECS (i.e. ATMOS), newer video pass-through/processing (i.e. UHD, HDR), better audio correction capability (i.e. Audyessy Multi-EQ), or a better on-screen interface.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

Awesome, thanks for all the info. How much better is the sound quality/usability of the built in Bluetooth capibility vs the adapter through the headphone Jack? Worth the price of an AVR upgrade for that alone? Also, would any of the other reasons you stated for upgrading an AVR benefit my home theater experience significantly? I will mostly be watching movies. Thanks!

 

[j_garcia]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/is-moving-from-5-1-to-7-1-worth-the-effort.106333/

 

[XEagleDriver]

In order:
Probably neglible.
No.
I did not read a compelling reason in your post for an AVR upgrade, unless you want to eliminate several wires via HDMI.
XEagleDriver


Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk

 

[OhioGuy25]

I'll go! Not sure what phone you have, but I'm not convinced Bluetooth audio is good enough yet. An airport express by Apple is what I use even though my avr has apps built in for it. It connects with a 3.5 to stereo rca pair. I can stream from my phone, or any pc on the network. Plus, when I use Spotify out of my phone via AirPlay, I have volume control in my pocket, and it stops for phone calls etc.
For 7.1, if it's easy to try, go for it. IMO though, you need 4-5' behind the LP min. I went from 5.3 to 7.3 a while back, and honestly the difference was subtle. I also don't like what PLIIx does to 5.1 tracks. I have movies that have 5.1 tracks on them and when I listen in 5.1 they provide a great sound envelope that extends behind the LP.(very much like 7.1 tracks in a 7.1 mode). In PLIIx, the illusion is gone and the rear sound field is turned into a blob of sound. Ymmv. So I would say if it's not a pain to wire it up, and you have room behind the LP, go for it. But choose playback wisely, as having the right tool on use will make a difference.

Gotcha, thanks. So it's not worth the upgrade for BT alone? Does it display song info on AVR display?

Which is the best adaptor?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Gotcha, thanks. So it's not worth the upgrade for BT alone? Does it display song info on AVR display?

Which is the best adaptor?

Good questions. I wouldn't personally upgrade for BT alone, but the last time I looked into it BT audio was still questionable. I have not looked at the spec for quite awhile so I can't say performance wise yes or no. It may have matured into something good. I do know it's very convenient.(I have headsets and a BT speaker).
Can't remember if it displays song info and stuff. It very well could, but I only use AirPlay to my airport express. That way I have all the album/song info/volume/track control with me on my phone wherever I go. I'm sure there are other devices that do the same thing, but I don't know what they are. Not an apple fanboi but it works so damn good. I wouldn't upgrade for BT alone, but their are reasons I would, like built in AirPlay, streaming apps, connectivity, and hdmi just makes it easy. And don't forget atmos. Or maybe I shouldn't have said that...lol
Did you mean adapter from the phones headphone jack? This is what that would look like.
RCA Cable, iXCC 6ft Dual Shielded Gold-Plated 3.5mm Male to 2RCA Male Stereo Audio Y Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019D048XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xRNgzbEZSZV8F

 

[OhioGuy25]

In order:
Probably neglible.
No.
I did not read a compelling reason in your post for an AVR upgrade, unless you want to eliminate several wires via HDMI.
XEagleDriver


Sent from my SM-G860P using Tapatalk

Cool, thanks. What about Atmos and lossless? How big of a difference would I notice with those two?

 

[OhioGuy25]

Good questions. I wouldn't personally upgrade for BT alone, but the last time I looked into it BT audio was still questionable. I have not looked at the spec for quite awhile so I can't say performance wise yes or no. It may have matured into something good. I do know it's very convenient.(I have headsets and a BT speaker).
Can't remember if it displays song info and stuff. It very well could, but I only use AirPlay to my airport express. That way I have all the album/song info/volume/track control with me on my phone wherever I go. I'm sure there are other devices that do the same thing, but I don't know what they are. Not an apple fanboi but it works so damn good. I wouldn't upgrade for BT alone, but their are reasons I would, like built in AirPlay, streaming apps, connectivity, and hdmi just makes it easy. And don't forget atmos. Or maybe I shouldn't have said that...lol
Did you mean adapter from the phones headphone jack? This is what that would look like.
RCA Cable, iXCC 6ft Dual Shielded Gold-Plated 3.5mm Male to 2RCA Male Stereo Audio Y Cable https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019D048XC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_xRNgzbEZSZV8F

What about lossless and Atmos?

 

[MR.MAGOO]

OH Guy,
IMHO:
7.1 vs. 5.1 depends a lot on the room. The room needs to have enough space behind the listening position to properly separate the surrounds from the rear surrounds or 7.1 won't add much over the 5.1 experience.
XEagleDriver

What is enough space?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

What is enough space?

IMO, at least 4’

 

[-Jim-]

In my case the move from 5.1 to 6.1 was subtle. As part of the current Renovation I decided to move to the more conventional 7.1 in the Games Room, and then I pushed it to a 7.1.4 => at least speaker wise as we were tearing down the ceiling, so I thought better now than never. If (or is it just when?) I head down that road, a new HT Receiver is required so I'll probably try to squeeze in 7.2.4.

I have BT capability already (Denon AVR-S900W and on a Sony in the Family Room) but only use it to make sure it works. BT is convenient but hard wired is better soundwise. I use BT for headphones when cutting the lawn, once in a while for a new album in my car, or in a Dining Room setup for guests to connect to and play their Spotify favorites.

For me the HDMI capability was the key deciding factor for all the HT Receiver additions. If you don't use HDMI you are stuck in the lossy world of Dolby Digital and DTS. A true Audiophile would only need to hear a decent system once with say a DTS Master, or Dolby TrueHD, soundtrack to ask himself that's what I'm missing. Especially if they were familiar with the Concert or Movie on a DVD.

Of course if you are not using such a source (like a BluRay Movie or Concert) you may never know. However, some folks (like one of my brothers) cannot distinguish between lossy and lossless sources, so the extra cost would be a waste on them. It's like FLAC versus MP3. There's no point in using the former if the latter sounds just a good to you.

I moved just to get HDMI capable receivers, and the BT, wireless, and other features were just a bonus. The Auto EQ functions (like Audyssey) are great for novices, but I always seem to tweak things a bit afterwards.

I hope this is helpful.

 

[MR.MAGOO]

The only "huge" advantage for 7.x over 5.x is probably to the speaker and wire manufacturers.

 

[lovinthehd]

The only "huge" advantage for 7.x over 5.x is probably to the speaker and wire manufacturers.

While YMMV of course, and I wouldn't call it a "huge" advantage (as many things in audio are overstated by excited consumers), if your room is large enough 7ch is somewhat better than 5ch IME.