Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater 5.1 vs. 'poor' 7.1

I'm in the process of completely updating my HT system. I'm was planning a 7.1 system. However, due to several constaints I cannot place the [side] surrounds in the proper place relative to the viewer. Attached is a layout of the living room and speaker placement. The speakers will be in/on-wall speakers (Axiom w-series).

I guess the question I have is would a 7.1 system with badly placed surrounds be worse than a 5.1 system? In other words should I save some money and stick with a 5.1 system if I can't place the side surrounds in the correct place.


Thanks.
Brian

Having side surrounds that far in front of you would negatively impact the imaging, I would think -- regardless of how forgiving the Axiom surrounds are. I would stick with 5.1 in your situation. The difference between 5.1 and 7.1 is not night and day, so you won't be missing out on much.

As someone with side surrounds in front of him, I'd definitely go with 5.1 and move those side surrounds back. And mine are only about a foot ahead of me!

Oh crud....I think I completely misunderstood the speaker position for 5.1 verses 7.1. The "side" surrounds are the ones that are associated w/ the 5.1 system and the back surrounds are added w/ the 7.1 system.

So it looks like in either the 5.1 or 7.1 case I'll have to some how figure out how to move the "side" surrounds back closer to the back wall. Ugh...

Thanks...

I would stick with 5.1 and put the surrounds on the back wall.

It should work pretty well.

Yes, Brian, as David mentioned, the side surrounds for a 5.1 setup can actually be placed on the back wall(separated as widely as possible)when the seating position is that far back.

In your case, I would move the side surrounds much further back in the room. Consider the Q series speakers placed about a foot and half from the back wall on the sides. In this configuration, you'll get a really good 5.1 envelopment. I think the In-walls would work just as well in this scenario, but might be more localized (which you may prefer).

Don't be too afraid, though to also stick a couple of speakers behind you for the 7.1 set-up. It will make the rear soundstage "pan" better and helps to fill out the back of the theater. Filling out the back with sound really goes far to "immersing" you in the soundtrack.

Noting the present lack in material with 7.1 soundtracks (but also recognizing the existence of soem very good processing software [DPLIIx, for example] which will put your rear speakers to work), I agree with the majority that it is better to have a great 5.1 than a so-so 7.1, or a good 5.1 opposed to an ok 7.1. You shouldn't be adding compromise by adding speakers - it should fo the other way. If you find that you can't add two rear speakers without compromising the side surrounds, then leave them out.

What about a downfiring back at ceiling height or in-ceiling? 6.1?

Or upwards towards the ceiling, so that the rears reflect off the ceiling before hitting the couch area, preventing the soudn from shooting right over your head (and also providing some dispersion in the process).

In reply to:

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Or upwards towards the ceiling, so that the rears reflect off the ceiling before hitting the couch area, preventing the soudn from shooting right over your head (and also providing some dispersion in the process).

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That's the way I do mine. I have a forward firing speaker on the floor firing upward.

In reply to above...

And its a fairly good substitute for having actual distance behind the listening area...