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.

You're supposed to sit on the couch when you make the comparisons.

Why is Mark's couch talking to me?

"Ken, they're laughing at you. They say you're worthless and weak! Now are you going to take that, or is it STABBITY time?!"

Kill zem! Kill zem aul!

Roger, agree that with the couch right up against the wall, back surrounds in a 7.1 setup wouldn't have operating room. The best result would be with the side surrounds as far back as possible.

Brian, you don't understand; for Mark's benefit you should describe the sound of your couch in its previous position and its improved sound now.

I was just joking about his couch situation. The sound field improved when I did it, but I don't remember the details. Not going to put it back there and recalibrate just to recheck.

Thanks for the input guys. Moving the couch is not an option due to the limited placement of the side surrounds.

You wouldn't move the side surrounds, only the couch. At least just to test to see if there is any improvement.

Does your reciever allow you to use front heights,wides or presence speakers?

My Onkyo 5508 prepro allows height or wide speakers in a 9.2 configuration. I really don't have room for widths or heights but sure makes a good front sound stage with M80s as heights.

I do wish I'd upgraded to 9.2.

Vassillios?