Who has the big 7.1 setups - Your own review on your own system!

Receiver is the Pioneer Elite VSX-56TXi

Front L/R - Polk Audio R30
Center - Polk Audio CSi25
Surround L/R - Mirage Omnisat Micros
Surround Rear L/R - Yamaha NS-6490
Subwoofer - Infinity PS-12

It's kind of a mutt of a system, but I like it. At least the front LCR channels are timbre matched. Not nearly as important for the surrounds to be. These are all 8 ohm speakers with a sensitivity of 90 dB so they are all pretty easy for the Pioneer to drive.

What's wrong with that picture?

Get a different center. Another 150, 120, or 100, perhaps.

If you can't find one, you'd probably be better off running a phantom center with that setup. Seriously.


Oops. Time warp.

Sony 46" XBR2 display
Pioneer VSX 815 used as a pre/pro to an Emotiva LPA-1.
Speakers:
L/R-Infinity Beta 50's
Center-Infinity C360
L/R Surround-Infinity Beta 50's
Surround back L + R-Infinity C250's
Sub-SVS PB12NSD
Rear Sub (run from the receiver's surround pre outs with a Y splitter)-Veloydyne CHT-12 (why?-because I had it!)

All the volume I need with a very smooth, detailed and coherent sound field.

Just re-did the HT in my apt this weekend, after debating going high end all around, i decided to save some money, piece together a decent HTIB type setup and save the extra 2 grand and get a nice 2 channel tube setup for my bedroom/listening room. The apt living room is about 1500 square feet so big speakers aren't needed. Got the setup below plus stands and an oppo dv-980H plus all the new cables i needed from monoprice for around 1500 and i'm loving it so far. Probably be picking up a vp20, vp30.

Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR605
Front L/R - Mordaunt Short Premiere 302
Center - Mordaunt Short Premiere 304C
Surround L/R - Mordaunt Short Premiere 302
Surround Back L/R - Bose 4001
Front Sub - Mordaunt Short Avant 907

Rest of the HT consists of:
HTPC - for OTA HD and DVR cababilities and video/music streaming
xbox 360
wii
Pioneer cld-704 laserdisc player and lexicon ldd-1 ac-3 demodulator

TV: Viewsonic 32" LCD running at native res through the HTPC and 720p for everything else

Projector / Screen: Home built PJ currently at 720p will be upgrading to 1080p as soon as i get the controller board. 120" Da-lite high power screen.

TV: Sony SXRD60XBR1
Receiver: Onkyo 805
PS3
Xbox360 with HDDVD addon
Direct TV HDDVR
JBL 12 inch sub (don't remember model)
F/R Aperion T533 towers -NEW
C Aperion 533 VAC -NEW
Surrounds: JBL Northridge serires bookshelfs
SUrround backs: Paradigm Cinema 90s.

I didn't worry about matching the surrounds now, but down the line I will probably get the Aperion bookshelves for left and right surround. The surround backs don't usually get to much action, so not worried about matching those, plus I recently purchased the Paradigms.

TV - Panasonic 65" 1080p Commercial version
Amps:
Onkyo 805 - for movies
Cayin - SA-70T tube amp for music
Oppo 971 - DVD player
lenovo 3000 v100 HTPC - "media server"
Speakers:
Dali Helicon 400 fronts
Dali Helicon 200c - center
4 Snell CLS - ls, rs, rr,lr
HSU - vtf3-ho subwoofer

I had to make myself a "amp selector" so I could switch my speakers easily between the Onkyo and the Cayin amp - could not find anything out there. Works great. Nothing better than music on tubes!

Display = AE1000U 106" screen
AVR = Marantz SR7001
amp(s)= Qty3 Audio Source AMP1/A's all three are bridged, one each L/C/R
JBL S38 speakers for the L/C/R
JBL Balcony on-walls for the surrounds Qty4
Minor DYI Qty2 15" Powered Subs

The AVR sure drives the surround fine. I already had the power amps and it's been a year since I tried the internal AVR amps on the mains. Until recently I used all external amplification and all s38 speakers and I really haven't noticed much if any difference on the surrounds. I also no longer use this system for music duties.

Yamaha RX-661

FL-FR = JBL S31211 (12" 3-way towers)
C = JBL S-Center
SL-SR = JBL Studio 6-1/2" bookshelf (S-something)
SBL-SBR = JBL Venue Arena

Love it, auto-setup was nearly perfect, it's like floating in a sound bubble.

Receiver - Panasonic SA-XR57
Front R & L - Yamaha NS-555's bi-amped(wired)
Center - Yamaha C-444
All surrounds-Yamaha NS-333's
Subs -Yamaha NS-4 & YST-SW305
Will eventually upgrade to a Yamaha receiver but for now this system really sounds great. It's not the most expensive setup but given the price it's hard to beat.

Receiver - Onkyo TX-SR705.
Front speakers: Polk RTi70 towers.
Center: Polk CSi40.
Surrounds: Polk RTi28 bookshelf speakers.
Sub: SVS 20-39CS+ (original 12.1 driver) and Buttkicker LFE, both running off Samson 1,000w rackmount amp.

The 705 does a great job at powering these speakers, and I'm getting outstanding sound from it. Was previously using the Onkyo 603, which was nice, but the 705 post-Audyssey MultEQ XT calibration was a definite improvement. I don't have HD-DVD or Blu-ray as of yet, but at least I'm good to go if I ever decide to step up. For now, DVD, CD, Xbox 360, digital cable and DVD-Audio sound amazing.

TV = Sony 60" SXRDXBR2
Pre-Pro = Krell HTS7.1
Amp = Sherbourn 7/2100
DVD = Pioneer Elite BDP-94HD Blu Ray
CD = Denon DVD-2900
Sony PS2
Zenith VCR (don't ask why)
Speakers = 6 Boston VR-M60's
Center = Boston VR-MC
Sub(s) = 2 Martin Logan Grotto's

This is my latest update as of August. I am really enjoying both music and movies with this set up.
My wife does agree that it sounds very good, but the proof has been the added time she now spends listening to it.

Al. Wise

INFOCUS 4805 PROJECTOR (UPGRADING)
PIONEER ELITE VSX-94TXH
TOSHIBA HD-A35
WAITING ON THE PIONEER BDP-95HD BLU-RAY PLAYER (USING SAMSUNG 1400)
DIRECTV HR21-700 HD DVR
2 CARVER TFM-35X AMPS
2 CARVER A-753X 3 CHANNEL AMPS
1 CARVER TFM-15 AMP
PAIR OF KLIPSCHORNS (FRONT)
1 KLIPSCH LASCALA (CENTER)
2 PAIR OF kLIPSCH LA SCALAS (REAR)
2 PAIR OF KLIPSCH HERESYS (SIDES)
1 15" POWERED ROCKFORD FOSGATE SUB
3 12" POWERED kLIPSCH SUBS
1 MOVIEBEAM MOVIE DOWNLOAD SYSTEM
TOTAL OVERKILL AND I LOVE IT!!

B&K Ref 50
NAD M25 amp
Paradigm Studio 100 V2 as mains
Paradigm Studio CC570 center
2 pair Paradigm SA15R in ceiling side and rear surrounds
HSU VTF2 sub
PS3
Samsung LNT5265F

Sounds fantastic and the picture is excellent.
I have a large room, so next step will be a more powerfull sub. I am such a spaz when it comes to HT gear

Receiver: Denon 4308CI
Front L/R: Infininty Beta 20 each with its own Phase Tech PC 50 10" active (non-powered) SW (because I had them).
Center: Infinity C360
Surround L/R: Infinity ES250
Surround Back L/R: Infinity ES250
Powered SW: Infinity SW 12

After setting the system up and completing the Audyssey EQ, I made a few adjustments and manual settings. The first time my GF heard the system, she said it had meat. And to my no longer young ears, it does sound lovely.

I just added some ButtKickers. Now that's fun!

Optoma HD70(upgrading to HD80)
142 inch DIY acoustically transparent screen
ADA Cinema Rhapsody processor
ADA MPA-500 power supply
ADA MPA-501 5 channel amp
ADA PF-2501 2 channel amp
ADA PTM-6150 6 channel amp
3 JTR triple 8 speakers
4 JTR single 8 surrounds
2 madison 18 inch horn subs
2 madison dual 18 inch subs
2 bass shakers
PS3
Toshiba A2

This system is just incredible. It's sound is just as big as a 250 seat theater, with much higher resolution and of course more bass impact. I have been thru alot of equipment and I think I have finally found what I have been looking for. This beat out a Mcintosh and Klipsch THX ultra 2 system easily, and a M&K S-5000THX system. It just has that wow impact you get at the very good theaters. Truly a cinematic event.

WOW! How much did that set you back round a bout, if you don't mind me asking? I think a few years down the road, I'll want something this great.

That is what I love the most. I bought all the ADA gear used. The speakers were new as well as the sources and projector.

Receiver - Onkyo TX-NR905
Front L/R - Klipsch RVX-54
Center - Klipsch RVX-42
Surround L/R - Klipsch RVX-54
Surround Back L/R - Klipsch RVX-54
Sub - 2 X SVS PB13-Ultra and 3 X Sony SA-WX900

TV: Sony KDS-R70XBR2
DVD: Sony RDR-HX715 HDD/DVD Recorder/Player
HD DVD: Toshiba HD-XA2
Blu-Ray: Panasonic DMP-BD10
Game Systems: PS3 and Xbox 360

Audio:
Pre amp: Sherwood Newcastle P-965 7.1 surround pre-amp
5 channel Amplifier: Rotel RMB-1095 (5x200wpc)
2 Channel Amplifier: Rotel RB-1050 (2x70wpc) amplifier
CD Changer: Technics 981
Bass Management: Outlaw ICBM-1 bass manager
Subwoofer Equalizer: Behringer DSP1124P Feedback Destroyer
Front L/R: Monitor Audio Silver s10
Center channel: Monitor Audio Silver SLCR
Side surrounds: Axiom QS8 quadrapoles
Rear surrounds: JBL HLS410
Subwoofer: Hsu VTF-3 HO with Turbo

Video:
Blu-ray player/game system: Sony PS3
HDTV receiver: Samsung 351-
DVD Recorder: JVC T-51
Projector: Misubishi HC1500 DPL projector
Screen: Dalite HCMW 104" diagonal screen

I've got:

Sony 52XBR4
Onkyo 805
NHT Classic 3's
NHT Classic 3c's
NHT Absolute Zero's
Polk RM201's
HSU VTF3 MK3
Blu-ray & HD-DVD Supporter (DMPBD30 & Toshiba HD-A35)

It looks and sounds great.

Benq 8720 Projector
Carada 120" screen
Harman/Kardon AVR7200
Pioneer Elite DV-79avi
Toshiba A2 HD DVD
a/d/s/ HT400LCR's all the way around
a/d/s/ HT12PS Subwoofer

Picture is incredible. The sound is great but I am getting ready to make the move to separates and add another sub.

You will have to share the theaters that you go to because if there ever was any WOW factor from going to the theater it is gone after you experience a good home theater.


My setup:
Electrohome Marquee 9" CRT FPTV with HDMI and upgrades
110" Acoustically transparent screen
Below the FPTV screen is regular viewing TV-
61" Hitiachi Ultra CRT RPTC

Audio
Yamaha RX-Z9
Klipschorns - Mains
Klipsch LaScala's - Front and Rear Centers
Klipsch Cornwalls - Rear Surrounds
Klipsch Hereseys - Front PResence Channels
Front Subs L&R - SVS Ultras powered by Samson S1000
Rear Sub - Klipsch RSW-15

All speakers except for the Klipschorns are suspended from the ceiling and the front LaScala is behind the screen.

Sources are a Xbox 360 that feeds 1080p HD-DVD via HDMI to overhead PJ or 1080i to the Hitachi. A PS3 for Blu Ray performs same tasks.

Everything is fed through two dedicated 30amp circuits with each with one Belkin Pure AV PF-60 with components split on the services.

My room is 25x30 with 10' ceilings. All of the drywall is screwed and glued and the structure is block built specifically for this HT.

-EJ

Mits HD1000U
110" screen

Denon AVR 3802 as processor-being replaced with Denon AVR 2808Ci
Denon POA 8300 driving Front L R C
Denon POA 8200 (x2) driving SL SR SBL SBR
HTPC

Axiom speakers
Front L/R-M80's@240watts@4ohms
Surround L/R-QS8's
Surround Back L/R-QS8's
Center-VP150
Sub-EP350
18'x22' room
With this setup, I find the Axioms are very revealing with their double aluminum tweeter/driver array. With this, they are capable of resolving subtle nuances, yet are never fatiguing. They display an open soundstage and are easily played at high volumes with no noticeable distortion. My system still puts a smile on my face every time! Damn I love HT

Ps, I am anxiously waiting to dive into HDDVD and the advanced audio codecs next month.

Video:
Pioneer 5070
PS3
Xbox 360
Toshiba A2

Audio:
Yamaha RX-V757
Emotiva LPA-1
Onix Rocket RS760's, Bigfoot Center, RSS300's(Side Surround), Polk R15's(Back Surround)

Hey all, thought i'd chime in with my 7.1 I bought thru circuit city back in 2003 to 2005 when I worked there

Center: Polk CSi5
Mains L & R: Polk Monitor 70's
Surround L & R: Polk RTi8's (used to to be the main's until i got the 70's)
Surround back's L & R: Polk Fxi5's
Sub: Velodyne CHT-12 500 watt sub

Receiver: Onkyo TX-SR800 (yup, it's an oldie but still shakes my fillings loose)

Display: Mitsu 1000U 720P Projector
Source: Toshiba HD-A2 purchased in April 2007


I gotta say this system may not be as brand spankin' new as most of the people here but i gotta say the cops come to my house for noise complaints.

then they usually stay for the movie

anyway, jsut thought it'd be cool to share.

CLANG!

Receiver: Pioneer VSX-1015

Fronts: JBL S312 IIs
Center: JBL EC35
Surround: JBL S36II PMs
Surround Back: JBL S36II PMs
Subwoofer: JBL PB12

I am a big fan of JBL sound. My center is from JBL's Northridge series, not the Studio like the rest of my system, so the timbre match isn't perfect, but the sound is still sweet. I cannot wait for the Hi-Def format war to be over so I can shop for a new receiver that supports lossless audio, but in the mean time the 1015 more that meets my needs. I am constantly impressed at the levels it can drive my JBLs. I am a huge A/V fan, and I wish I could afford a higher end system, but this fits my budget and fills my needs for now.

theater
sunfire theater grand III
adcom 7607
custom hand bult 7 speakers similar th the polk lsi line but way better.
4 avalanch 18 subs with 26mm x max the xbl^2 motor with 3400 wats in a IB setup
benq 8700+
mx3000 remote

bedroom
40 in 1080p sqmsung
onkyo 705
polk 800i mains
polk 400i center
polk fx500i X2 side and rear surounds

there is a huge differance between the onky and adcom/sunfiere.