Maybe I am the only dissenting vote but I like 7.1. It however didn't cost me for extra speakers as I am using some old mission bookshelves as the back surround speakers. I find they seem to fill in the back area quite nicely. YMMV.

2xM80 VP180 2xQS8 2xM3 HSU STF3 LG 60PS11 Denon 3808 ATI 1506 LCR 2xATI 1502 Oppo BDP-83