hey guys, quick question....

i recently started playing around with my system and was wondering what listening mode is best for watching moives, and which is best for listening to music...(i dont really know what each mode is/does-i googled it and read the manual but didnt get too far)

reciever: onkyo sr605
fronts: klipsch rf82's
center: klipsch rc62
rears: random onkyo speakers i have from the onkyo htib i had
sub: onkyo from the same htib

also, what benefit, if any, do i get from bi wiring the front speakers?

IMHO, no modes. Just as straight-through unprocessed as possible.

OTOH, you should choose what sounds best to you.

IMHO, again, there's no advantage to biamping unless your main amps are woefully inadequate.

Think....How does the producer want you to listen. Try not to change much of anything from the original recording. What modes are you talking about exactly?

Can't speak for music modes. I generally let it be vanilla stereo on mine, or all channel stereo.

For movies, do you have a 5.1 or 7.1 setup? For a 5.1 setup, DVDs use Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 for the majority of their soundtracks, so it's best IMO to let the receiver just send that on.

For 7.1 using DVDs with 5.1 soundtracks, I always like to use ProLogic IIx (even on DTS DVDs) to expand the surround info to all four surround speakers, but there are plenty that disagree with that (although they've never convinced me.) Same with Blu-Rays with 5.1 soundtracks.

If you're using Blu-Ray discs with 7.1 soundtracks, the TrueHD or DTS-MA should come through (unless you're using a PS3, then it's probably PCM.)

Kal's right though in that it's ultimately up to what you like, so try all of them.