AVS Forum banner

5.1 vs 7.1 , what is the main deference and advantages to5.1 vs 7.1 home theater receivers

553 views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  f430 
#1 ·
I am in the market for a new home theater receiver. My current 7.1 Yamaha has to be replaced dud to a short. I have been shopping for a receiver under $500. I have looked and read reviews that list some 5.1 receivers as great buys and are lower in cost than the 7.1. I want to know what would be the difference in listening to5.1 vs 7.1. I currently have 8 accoustimass speakers, and am only looking to replace my receiver at this time, due to my budget. I guess I would have to sacrifice the use of some of my speakers for the 5.1 system,. I am willing to do that if I don't lose too much in the listening department. I am a little hard of hearing so I like to listen to my system at a pretty loud level. Any advice will be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
IF your seating is away from the back wall, then you can place a pair of surround speakers behind you and another pair of surround speakers at your sides. This will give you rear-vs-side separation and wrap-around envelopment in the surround field that you won't get with only 2 surround speakers. One pair of surrounds can't be in two places (at your sides AND behind you) simulataneously.
 
#4 ·
As sdurani said, it depends on your room.

7.1 is impossible in my room - seating on back wall, windows to the sides. 5.1 works much better for me.
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by jdsmoothie  /t/1528727/5-1-vs-7-1-what-is-the-m...1-vs-7-1-home-theater-receivers#post_24643728


Some of last year's lower level 7.1 models are starting to go on clearance (or soon will be) as they are the first to be replaced so no reason to go with a 5.1 model if you don't want to. You have a number of options to consider to include the Denon E400 and X2000.

I have the E400 and I love it even though I only run 5.1. I am thinking of running front heights so the 7 of the E400 makes it possible
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top