I'm about 3 months away from completing renovations to our house and will be installing a new theater system. Below is a crude 3D rendering of our proposed living/theater room. I'm curious to know if you all think 7.1 would be overkill for this space, or if I would have a good listening experience. As you can see, I've labeled the distances. The room is 15'8" X 14'5" and the ceilings are 14' high. That won't change, nor will the placement of the fireplace (decorative, non-functional) or the placement of the windows. I don't have the distances on there between the windows and windows/walls, because I haven't measured yet. One thing that is up for debate with the wife is the open doorway toward the front of the viewing area (left side of this image). That currently is walled off, however she would like to open that up.

I hope to get a 50" Panasonic (labeled on here), which I believe is an appropriate size for that viewing distance, but feel free to comment on that as well. My main question however, is will I get good results with a 7.1 system or will it all turn to mush? I'm not opposed to wall mounting of some sort, as that is probably the only way I can pull this off without having people tripping over speakers. Again, open to your suggestions. Please make any/all recommendations. I haven't purchased any equipment yet, so I'm not looking for a particular answer. :) I look forward to hearing what you all have to say.

http://www.plainestudios.com/surroundsound.jpg

I'm curious to know if you all think 7.1 would be overkill for this space...I don't think so. With your couch roughly 5 feet from the back wall, sounds from behind you should be distinct from sounds at your sides. I would place all four surrounds at least a couple of feet above ear level. The side speakers should go directly to the sides, for stable lateral imaging. The rear speakers should go on the back wall, to anchor sounds behind you. Spread them about 6 feet apart, so you can hear stereo separation behind you. See attached diagram for basic layout.

Good Luck,
Sanjay

Thanks Sanjay,

I've read conflicting views about the height of the side speakers. Would you agree that I should put them about 6' off the floor? That's what I'm currently thinking. Because I have a 14' ceiling, I'd like to put them as high as possible, but don't want to put them too high. I also really don't want to go ceiling mounted.

I am somewhat concerned about being able to put the rears 6 feet apart because of the spacing of the windows. I'm afraid I may have to space them farther apart than 6 feet. Do you think this will significantly impact the experience?

...chris

Would you agree that I should put them about 6' off the floor? That's what I'm currently thinking.That's fine. You may want to tilt them down slightly, so they're pointing towards the listening area. I'm afraid I may have to space them farther apart than 6 feet. Do you think this will significantly impact the experience?If the rear speakers are too wide apart, they may not give the impression of being behind you. How far apart are the windows on the back wall?

Sanjay

Not sure, I'll have to go measure tomorrow and see. I'll post back.