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6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55407 07/23/04 07:59 PM
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mcad64 Offline OP
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Hi all,
I am planning on ordering Axiom speakers but I just can't decide if I should go 6.1 or 7.1. Here is a photo of my rear wall:

Http://members.shaw.ca/mcad64

Width across is 13 feet. Centre is roughly above the light switch. 6.1 would be fairly straightforward, but as you can see with drop ceiling and hallway it is not necessarily conducive to 7.1. but could be done. I was thinking about QS8's for surround duties. I like DVDA and SACD so I am a little concerned about how these guys sound with high res audio though.
Thanks,
Mike

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55408 07/23/04 08:01 PM
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A link for the lazy people.

I can't help with 6.1 vs. 7.1 though, sorry


[black]-"The further we go and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."[/black]
Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55409 07/23/04 08:20 PM
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mcad64 Offline OP
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Thanks for the link. I am NOT one of the lazy people, unfortunately I AM one of the STUPID people who don't know how to make a link!! DOH!!

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55410 07/23/04 08:26 PM
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Didn't mean to imply either! You are a new person and thus not expected to know how to make links and such, but I know there's a lot of lazy people on here who will be much more inclined to follow a link than use cut and paste. I run a 5.1 system, in a pretty normal space, so I'm sorry I can't provide any meaningful input on 6.1 or 7.1 in your odd space.


[black]-"The further we go and older we grow, the more we know, the less we show."[/black]
Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55411 07/23/04 08:55 PM
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Hi Mike, welcome! Andrew is right; some people are much more likely to click than to cut/paste, so he was just trying to get those folks to your link.

Unfortunately, I too can only offer opinion and anecdotes, not actual experience. I run 5.1 in a pretty big room and really don't feel deprived. In looking at your space, I should think that 6.1 would be quite adequate since it is not a terribly wide room. Plus, the mounting for 7.1 would be pretty challenging. One of our board regulars (Spiffnme) went from 5.1 to 7.1 and ultimately decided that the improvements were too modest to justify the expense and hassle. There is (to my knowledge), no discrete 6.1 or 7.1 source material anyway, so at best, your getting matrixed or derived channel(s) back there anyway. People seem to like the HK and Yamaha surround chips for those kinds of installations.

There have been discussions here in the past about which speaker to use for the rear channel. There does not seem to be a clear consensus, with some people preferring a third QS model and some preferring a direct radiating speaker (like a single M2). Getting a professional opinion from the Axiom staff might be worth your time.

As far as multichannel audio goes, the QS8's are terrific speakers. If you are concerned about their lower extension, you could consider an Outlaw ICBM or get a receiver that allows you to adjust the sub crossover for each channel independently. You don't say what kind of equipment you have or are considering, but bass management capabilities seem to vary pretty widely on DVDA/SACD players. The QS8's are really very capable speakers; the drivers are credibly big as is the enclosure. Unless multichannel audio is your primary focus, the immersive surround offered by the quadpolar design is a great HT/Music combination. If multichannel audio is going to outweigh your HT usage by like 70/30 or something, you might want to consider getting 6 identical speakers all the way around.

If I were in your situation, I would do 6.1 with 3 QS8's and be totally content.



bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55412 07/23/04 09:28 PM
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Greetings,
For what it's worth, I had 6.1 and thought it was too directional. I went to 7.1 with QS8's on the side and back and think it is wonderful. In your room, m2 or m3's might be the ticket in the rear. Just my opinion, yours may differ...
b.

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55413 07/23/04 09:35 PM
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That set up seems prime for a 6.1 experience.

The 6.1 and 7.1 set ups are very similar. First, there's not that much separation between the rear channels in a 7.1 system. The information is all derived from another speaker (be it the surrounds or a matrixed stereo source).

Looking at the back wall, there might be a problem wiring a left rear surround because of the door. Therefore, go with the 6.1 installation, using a QS8 or 4. The wide dispersion should make it seem like the whole back wall is covered in sound. This will given you that convincing enveloped feel you're seeking.

I do tout the benefits of 6 and 7.1 over 5.1. I think that the directionality of sound in the rears becomes less distinct and the panning is better. I think that most people's rear set-ups dont let them experience the benefits because their couch is butted right up against the wall. Your situation is different, and you'd likely notice and enjoy the upgrade.

In short, go with the 6.1 and a QS of some sort. You'll be happy. Consider, however, getting a receiver (unless you already have one) that will give you 7.1 eventually, just in case you get upgradeitis or discover a way to place a second rear surround. Just make sure that it has Dolby Pro-Logic IIx -- notice the (X) in that, very important.

Anyway - have fun. It looks like you've got a great room for HT, baby!

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55414 07/23/04 11:00 PM
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mcad64 Offline OP
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Thanks for all the many replies. Below the photo is a simple schematic of the room, kind of an odd shape but what can a person do!! The plan is for the Infocus 4805 projector on the wall, with seating position about 13 feet give or take. That leaves around 10 feet to the rear wall. I would have to guess that the spousal unit will poopoo the 7.1 anyway and opt for the 6.1 due to a cleaner look. As far as a receiver I have not purchased one, but the plan is definitely 7.1 so that down the line if I want to put a second speaker on rear wall I am good to go. As far as receivers I am looking at the Yamaha RX-V750Ti, RX-V 1400, and RV 2400 as well as a Marantz 7400. Wife seems to want silver stuff downstairs so that almost certainly means the RX-V750ti or I guess the equivalent in the HTR line from Yamaha. Anyone have a 7.1 Yamaha that they run with Axioms?
Thanks again for replies and listening to my ramblings!!
Mike
PS: I heard this description for 5.1 versus 6.1 and 7.1. In 5.1 the bullets feel like they are whizzing by you, in 6.1 and 7.1 they feel like they are going through you!!

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55415 07/23/04 11:52 PM
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I agree with Capn Pickard about going with 6.1 and a QS8 or QS4.
I also agree about the bullets going through you with 6.1 too.

PS:Anybody know of any 7.1 movies so I could try out my 7.1 system?

Re: 6.1 or 7.1 in this room??
#55416 07/24/04 10:46 AM
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Greetings,
I am using the Yamaha htr-5790 with m60's, vp150, 4 qs8's and an Hsu STF-3. Someone else in this thread mentioned using Pro Logic IIx, and I totally agree. At times I find it almost as enveloping as DD or DTS. The Yamaha has performed well...no complaints. Since I'm single and live with a cat, I didn't need spousal approval for any of the set up. The cat hasn't gone near any of the equipment, either. He knows better...
b.

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