Welcome to the forum!
7.1 works very well if you have the room behind the seating area, say 4ft or more for the speakers to really work right or a weird corner situation as I had in my old house where the Left side surround was in front of the one side couch adding the rear channel helped fill the void that was in the corner where you entered the room.
Many find 5.1 is all they really need as the rear channels do not receive much information but the new HD audio formats on BR make more use of the rear channels.
IMO, it really comes down to the room and the willingness to purchase extra speakers.
I think the Black Oak does not look impressive but it does blend in to the room decor easier.
Last edited by jakewash; 12/20/09 01:13 AM.
