I posted earlier this week regarding receivers and indicated I'd ordered the Epic 60/500. If I can scrounge up the money, I am wondering if I should add 2 more QS8s to go from 5.1 to 7.1. Thoughts? How big a difference - for HT and for music?

Thanks.

How big is your room? For HT if you can place the rear channels back away from the rear listeners it can be nice, especially in PLIIx modes for example. For music the Q's also do a fine job.

The room is 18' 3" width by 23' length.

Thats a fairly large room, I think you would enjoy the sound of a couple QS8's in the rear, particularly if you have some movies with DTS 6.1 surround or listen to multichannel music.

That is a good sized room, do you already have all the wiring completed for 7.1? Even if your watching a movie that is done in 5.1, most AVR's have PLIIx which will used the rear channels and do a great job.

I question whether Q8s are going to give you much more than a Q4s as rears in a 7.1 set up.

Or maybe try M2 rears, so you can play with direct speakers vs. QS8s for multichannel music. The QS8s are mighty fine for music, don't worry -- I just like having things to experiment with

Yes, I did pre-wire for 7.1, but the speakers will go on stands. Everyone advises it is a good idea with three suggestions. Anyone want to prioritize them? I didn't hear the M22s mentioned which run $460/pr?

1. M2s $290/pr
2. QS4s $420/pr
3. VP8s $530/pr

Thanks.

Keep in mind the prices you list are regular pricing, you can save 10% from the factory outlet. In regards to prioritizing, that would be diffierent depending on who you talk to... everyone has different tastes.

Normally for surround sound purposes, you want to be "surrounded" or "enveloped" in the sound. The Q series speakers will be the best at that, however, some like to listen to a lot of 7 channel music or SACD's and DVD-A's. For these, some find a direct radiating speaker does better. I think the Q's do a great job for music as well, and I primarily use my setup for movie watching, so the Q's was the only way to go...your mileage may vary..

Although I have never heard them, the M3's are reported to be very good speakers also, since you plan on putting the speakers on stands that may have some influence on your choice since the QS stands being custom made are much more expensive than a regular speaker stand.