I searched the forum and didn't find this topic being discussed, so here goes.

What are people's thoughts on 5.1 vs. 6.1 setups? I am finishing my basement and have a clean slate to work with. I'll likely go with Inifnity Primus 150s in the front, a Primus c25 center and Infinity ERS110IISs in the rear (wife doesn't want rear speakers to be visible, so they will be ceiling mounted). I haven't decided on the sub yet, but this is the price range I'd like to stay in (I'd certainly be willing to listen to alternatives, but with the 150s at $60 each and the c25 at $99, I'm thinking this is going to be pretty tough to beat for the price).

I have pretty much decided a 7.1 setup would be too much for what I want, but could see a 6.1 maybe having some value over a 5.1. In the case of a 6.1, I would add one more ERS110IIS in the rear.

What do people think? Worth it or no?

EDIT: receiver is an Onkyo 603 which I already have.

I have pretty much decided a 7.1 setup would be too much for what I want...What do you want? Is there a specific effect you're looking for that will work with one speaker behind you but not with two speakers? Worth it or no?Depends on where your seating area is. If it is away from the back wall, then you'll be able to have sounds at your side and sounds behind you in the surround field. If your seating is at or near the back wall, then stick to a 5.1 set-up (no room behind you for the rear speakers).

Good Luck,
Sanjay

What do you want? Is there a specific effect you're looking for that will work with one speaker behind you but not with two speakers? Depends on where your seating area is. If it is away from the back wall, then you'll be able to have sounds at your side and sounds behind you in the surround field. If your seating is at or near the back wall, then stick to a 5.1 set-up (no room behind you for the rear speakers).

Good Luck,
Sanjay
Thanks. I should have been more specific. Seating is away from the back wall. I was just thinking that there likely wouldn't be much difference between 3 rears and 4 rears. Admittedly, I haven't heard anything other than 5.1 so I might be full of it.

There will be 6-8 feet behind the seating area to the back wall with a bar seating area directly behind the couch.

Here is a picture of how the area will look.

I have a 7.1 but admittedly there isn't a whole lot of content available in that format yet, if anything. There is some in 6.1, or 5.1 with some matrixing (they utilize both rear speakers in mine.)

I've seen some 7.1s that had the two rears close together in sort of a 6.1 arrangement. Might be something to consider.