in designing either a 5.1 or 7.1 system is a 7.1 setup that much better then a good 5.1 system?

it depends on the speakers and choice of components. i know this isnt the answer you are looking for but a good set of 2.1 system sounds better than some 5.1 systems.

personally i say if you ears are well tunned enough to enjoy a 7.1 then go for it.

i started out with a 5.1 system but i made sure the reciever i bought was able to support 7.1. so far i am enjoying it and eventally if i want a 7.1 then i can easily buy 2 more speakers and make it a 7.1. but lets just hope by the time i buy my speakers they still have my model speakers on the market.

you should shop around and really sit and take your time to listen to a 5.1 and a 7.1 to see the difference.

I have a 5.1 system and I have been told by many (including the dealer where I bought my stuff) that 7.1 is not really worth it. He said to take the money from the 2 surrounds and put it towards better mains and centre. I took the advice and settled for 5.1

thanks guys for the honest advise

Most movies are still 5.1 and you would be OK with that, But don't recess those speakers unless you get ones designed for it.

is a 7.1 setup that much better then a good 5.1 system?When a car exits screen left, you expect the sound to disappear to your left side. When a plane flies overhead, you expect the sound to disappear behind you. How are you going to get stable imaging at your sides and stable imaging behind you using only 2 surround speakers? One pair of surrounds can't be in two places at once (at your sides and behind you).

With a 5.1 set-up, you have 3 speakers covering the front wall. That leaves only 2 speakers to provide coverage for the remaining three walls. Ain't gonna happen. 4 speakers can literally 'surround' you better than 2 speakers ever could, providing wrap-around envelopment in the surround field.

So 7.1-speaker set-ups have several advantages over 5.1 layouts. But the key to doing a 7.1 set-up properly is having the seating area away from the back wall. If you're at or near the back wall, then stick to a 5.1-speaker set-up (no space behind you for the rear speakers). However, if you are a few feet into the room, then consider going 7.1. You'll get improved directionality, imaging stability and envelopment.

Good Luck,
Sanjay

If both are of equal quality, the simple answer is YES.
Like has been mentioned, the rear information (when available) cannot be reproduced with just a 5.1 system.
But, I have found that a 6.1 (actually mine is 6.2) performs just as well as a 7.1 system, and in some cases, mine for sure, even better.
But that rear channell adds a whole new dimension to the movie, and creates more of a feel that what you are watching envelopes the entire room, as opposed to just the front, and sides.

My couch is about a foot away from where my back wall would be if I didn't have a large bay of windows that extends out an additional 1-2 feet. I also have a vaulted ceiling that slopes up and forward from the back wall.

I have no wall space to hang the speakers, but was considering setting them on the floor behind the couch and pointing them either directly at the valuted ceiling or angling them back at the bay windows to catch the reflection.

Anybody ever do this? Think it would work?

My couch is about a foot away from where my back wall would be if I didn't have a large bay of windows that extends out an additional 1-2 feet. I also have a vaulted ceiling that slopes up and forward from the back wall.

I have no wall space to hang the speakers, but was considering setting them on the floor behind the couch and pointing them either directly at the valuted ceiling or angling them back at the bay windows to catch the reflection.

Anybody ever do this? Think it would work?


What you suggest would not be a good idea. you could raise them on stands behind the couch they should be facing forward.

If both are of equal quality, the simple answer is YES.
Like has been mentioned, the rear information (when available) cannot be reproduced with just a 5.1 system.
But, I have found that a 6.1 (actually mine is 6.2) performs just as well as a 7.1 system, and in some cases, mine for sure, even better.
But that rear channell adds a whole new dimension to the movie, and creates more of a feel that what you are watching envelopes the entire room, as opposed to just the front, and sides.

I agree with davidpa whole heartedly.... I also have a 6.2 setup. Adding that single rear speaker was more then plenty to fully immerse the listening environment, giving those rear side surrounds a more natural and believable effect.

Now on a side note, my system is layed out skewed with the screen in the corner, which places my rear surround in a corner as well... I chose a dipole, and it fires off those corner walls.... I was very skeptical how this was going to work with side firing dipoles. In short it sounds spectacular... IMO that completed what was missing in my system.


Adding a side firing dipole to your layout might acheive what you are after here.
Now alot of people don't care for dipole/bipoles, but in the right environment they can work effectively completing the circle...

Pull that couch out a bit, and wall mount a side firing speaker or temporarily on a speaker stand and see what happens... its worth a try...

Warp

gooomz,

My own personal experience mirrors the advantages of 7.1 delineated by Sanjay.

I started with a 5.1 system and was never satisfied with the surround envelopment. When I expanded to 7.1, it was a significant improvement and I have no desire to go back to 5.1.

My room is not big, 13' x 17' x 9.5', but I have room behind the listening position where my rear speakers are placed.

I use DPLIIx to expand various input sources to 7.1 distinct outputs. I previously used Logic7. Both do an excellent job. You don't need to wait for 7.1 sources.

Thanks
Bruce