Ok, so I moved to a new place and I'm thinking 7.1 would be a waste with where I was limited to put my side surrounds, what do you think?

The room was originally intended to be a formal dining room, but I have no need for that. The ugly chandelier will soon be gone and replaced with something cooler.

http://flic.kr/p/dYgNud

http://flic.kr/p/dYgNus

http://flic.kr/p/dYgNuy

http://flic.kr/p/dYgNuG

http://flic.kr/p/dYb75a

http://flic.kr/p/dYb75n

(it appears flickr's policies have changed so I cannot seem to embed the photo's)

And for the record, I had 7.1 at my old place because I had about 4 feet from the listening position to the back surrounds. It just doesn't seem like I would get any benefit in this new set-up

Hi Vassillios,

I would agree with your assessment. No point, since your couch is against the rear wall -- exactly the same setup as I have. When I tested my setup with temporary installation of a 7.1 arrangement, I could not detect any significant (i.e. audible) gains over 5.1.

Regards,
Alan

Thanks Alan, I thought so...less wholes to cut and wires to fish through walls

Funny, I could have sworn I posted similar agreement to this thread but it's not here.

Alan must have moderated me! I don't recall poking fun at him. Well, not since the Tales from the Volcano cartoons anyways????

Kidding. Wouldn't be the first time I hit [Go] instead of [Submit]. But I do agree. I tried 7.1 in a small room and I even had about 2' behind my couch but it wasn't enough to make them useful.

I just don't see how you could possibly get any benefit from 7.1 in that room the way it is configured.

I say go for it! 7:1 all the way! Go big or go home!

Then again, I'm feeling oppositional today.

I moved my couch out a couple of feet from the rear wall and it sounded better. I doubt that you'd want to leave it this way in your current arrangement, but you might try it just to see if it improves the sound field any.

I've moved my couch to several different positions, and it always sounds the same.

If it's telling you to kill, then I need to up your rx.