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Do I need 7.2 receiver?

post #1 of 10
2/9/11 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 
I am new to this area! I am looking for a receiver about $200-500, and got 7.1 or 7.2 system to select.

I have 4 speakers and 1 subwoofer. I am thinking to buy a center channel speaker and 2 floor standing speakers if necessary. It seems that 7.1 receiver is enough for me, am I right? What's the main difference between 7.1 and 7.2 receivers? Any recommendations?
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post #2 of 10
2/9/11 at 4:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sigmand View Post

I am new to this area! I am looking for a receiver about $200-500, and got 7.1 or 7.2 system to select.

I have 4 speakers and 1 subwoofer. I am thinking to buy a center channel speaker and 2 floor standing speakers if necessary. It seems that 7.1 receiver is enough for me, am I right? What's the main difference between 7.1 and 7.2 receivers? Any recommendations?

7.2 means you can hook up 2 subwoofers...might be a little too much if you live in an Apt..geez one can be alot in a Apt.
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post #3 of 10
2/9/11 at 5:42pm
Having two subs does not have to be strictly for SPL.

I could think of any number of reasons for having two subs. Such as -

* You got a good deal on one, so why not two, to reduce potential for overdriving just one
* May be able to reduce effects of standing waves and smooth out bass response

If you do want more than one sub, you don't need a 7.2 receiver to manage it. Seems plenty of people just Y the sub output.
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post #4 of 10
2/9/11 at 6:01pm
7.1 will work just fine for you.
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post #5 of 10
2/9/11 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
I don't think I will consider a 2 sub system in the near future. However, I don't know if "1 center channel+2 floor standings+4 satellite+1 sub" is what so called 7.1 system? Since most 7.1 system online has 6 uniform speakers and 1 sub.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman View Post

Having two subs does not have to be strictly for SPL.

I could think of any number of reasons for having two subs. Such as -

* You got a good deal on one, so why not two, to reduce potential for overdriving just one
* May be able to reduce effects of standing waves and smooth out bass response

If you do want more than one sub, you don't need a 7.2 receiver to manage it. Seems plenty of people just Y the sub output.
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post #6 of 10
2/9/11 at 6:23pm
Quote:


Since most 7.1 system online has 6 uniform speakers and 1 sub.

No, they have 6 uniform speakers, plus a center and sub. To have a 7.1 system you need 7 speakers plus a subwoofer.

Many other combinations too.

1. Two towers, center, 4 satellite speakers and sub.
2. Two towers, center, 4 bookshelf speakers and sub
3. Two towers, center, 4 wall mount surround speakers and sub.

Or various combinations of bookshelf, towers, sats or surround speakes and a sub.

But to have a 7.1 setup you definitely need 7 speakers plus a subwoofer.
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post #7 of 10
2/9/11 at 7:24pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the answers.

Any recommendations on receiver+center speaker+floor standings? I have 4 "Canton" Sat and 1 "Boston Acoustics" in my room from the builder already.

My budget will be less than $1000 better less than $800.

Quote:
Originally Posted by afrogt View Post

No, they have 6 uniform speakers, plus a center and sub. To have a 7.1 system you need 7 speakers plus a subwoofer.

Many other combinations too.

1. Two towers, center, 4 satellite speakers and sub.
2. Two towers, center, 4 bookshelf speakers and sub
3. Two towers, center, 4 wall mount surround speakers and sub.

Or various combinations of bookshelf, towers, sats or surround speakes and a sub.

But to have a 7.1 setup you definitely need 7 speakers plus a subwoofer.
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post #8 of 10
2/9/11 at 7:34pm
No idea on speakers. You want...what? for how much? Your posts are unclear.

When discussing your needs, a clear list of current speakers with model numbers might help get better responses.

So when it comes to speakers, there's a real advantage to coherency. In other words, using speakers either all the same (not including sub,) or at least designed to sound the same. If you, for example, put a random center channel in your setup that does not match with your left/right speakers, you will hear a difference in the test tones (indicating a clear difference in frequency response). That shows the potential for a mismatch when sounds pan across the front.

Admittedly, I had a mismatch of that sort for a long, long time. I finally sprung for a total speaker replacement, and got 4 B&W bookshelf speakers, and two B&W towers. Is it better? That is hard to quantify, I am sad to say. But at least I know my sound should match better during pans!

If you can match the center to the left/right channel (whatever center is recommended for those speakers, and match the 4 rear surrounds, that seems like a good plan, least to me.
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post #9 of 10
2/9/11 at 10:59pm
Thread Starter 
I would like to but 1 center speaker and 2 front speakers (I assume these will be tower than bookshelf, maybe I'm wrong) and 1 receiver. I heard the center matching front speakers is essential but not necessarily matching the satellites (maybe I'm wrong). So ,any recommendations?

The budget will be $1000 total, the less the better.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelJHuman View Post

No idea on speakers. You want...what? for how much? Your posts are unclear.

When discussing your needs, a clear list of current speakers with model numbers might help get better responses.

So when it comes to speakers, there's a real advantage to coherency. In other words, using speakers either all the same (not including sub,) or at least designed to sound the same. If you, for example, put a random center channel in your setup that does not match with your left/right speakers, you will hear a difference in the test tones (indicating a clear difference in frequency response). That shows the potential for a mismatch when sounds pan across the front.

Admittedly, I had a mismatch of that sort for a long, long time. I finally sprung for a total speaker replacement, and got 4 B&W bookshelf speakers, and two B&W towers. Is it better? That is hard to quantify, I am sad to say. But at least I know my sound should match better during pans!

If you can match the center to the left/right channel (whatever center is recommended for those speakers, and match the 4 rear surrounds, that seems like a good plan, least to me.
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post #10 of 10
2/9/11 at 11:13pm
Why don't you try 5.1 and get better speakers if possible with that budget?

Really, I am a number of years in with upgrades and I put as much money as possible into the L/C/R and sub. In fact I went awhile without rears just to get better speakers and sub up front. Rears are easy to do later. Stick to the same brand if possible for the rears but the front three should be family and identical but really most use a dedicated center.

For the money I would be 3.1 but good luck with your journey into HT (some would even say 2.1 with a phantom center but that was never for me).

Edit: about your question about bookshelves/monitors vs floorstanders, once again I still use monitors as I was able to buy better speakers and sub(s) for the money. I was able to move into the next level in the brand of speakers I like by going monitor over floorstander. I have nice subs so it didn't bother me and my monitors are strong.
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