Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater 7.1 -- Is it worth it?

Greeatings once again from Bad End theatre. (probably have watched the Rings trilogy about 5 times since the axioms have arrived... I mean the first 2 parts... uh, there would be no way to get a copy of the ROTK yet. hehehe)

Things are coming along nicely, I've being lazy about the cosmetics... kind of hard to motivate to work when the alternative is to sit down and watch a movie with the axioms!!

I recently ran new wire to move my QS8 up to where they are at a better surround location. (they were previously 12' back, where the previous owner had run wire) Now, I have the surrounds where they should be, and I'm looking at 2 holes 10 feet back with monster wire dangling from them. And, guess what I'm thinking about? Yup, 2 more speakers back there. But, is it really worth it? Anyone out there that migrated from 5.1 to 7.1 with objective info. that wouldn't mind sharing, I'd appreciate it.

current config.:
m60s
vp150
QS8
350 sub
Yamaha 1400
Dennon 2200

BB, I don't do 7.1, but I'll comment. The idea of 7.1 is to add back surround to the side surround you have now. First there has to be some information to be sent back there, such as the 6th channel in a DD-EX disc or information which processing such as DPLIIx or Logic 7 can send back there. The speakers to play that should really be on the back wall, not just about 10' farther back on the side wall, so I wonder if you'd have a good back surround effect if you put them there. Maybe somebody's tried that and can comment.

If your a LOTR rings fan, you should definitely buy a pair of M2's for the rears. Both movies have incredible DTS ES soundtracks. There is a lot of rear surround info in almost every scene of each movie, but especially the action scenes. Since you already have the amp for it, there is little reason not to spend $255 on a pair of M2's.

I actually only have 6.1 because that is all my amp can do, and so I have 3 Qs8's. I love the way it sounds and am very happy with most movies in 6.1.

Bilbo, I recommend 7.2, if you're thinking about this path of audio madness, it's already too late, you're doomed, you're gonna do it, and you know it. Why stop at 7.1 when you can shake the house with twin subwoofers? If you want your subs talking to you in stereo, you can get an Outlaw ICBM-1 bass management module. It'll also give you full bass management control even in DVD-Audio or SACD and twin/stereo sub outs.

Neat, 2x.

I understand destructive interference is an issue with two subs-- does that module do phase stuff on the sub signal or does one just really have to take care in positioning?

Johnk, thanks for the post. yea, I'm too not sure if they will be separated enough back there to add enough dimension to make it worth. I'll make sure I report any findings.

Snippy, thanks for the response. All the posts I found indicate that direct speakers are best for the rears. My problem is I love the way the QS8 speakers mount to the wall. They really look great. I'm thinking I might try the QS4 back there. The fact that they aren't on the rear wall may help that thier the QS line, instead of directs.

I noticed the LOTR movies the sound option is 6.1ES, not 7.1 -- I'm assuming that it sends the same sound to the back two rears?? Or, in a Prologic II mode it would send it differently?? Oh well, I've got a lot to learn about all this. thanks again for your reply.

YOur diagnosis is correct... I have a sickness, and yes -- I'll probably buy two more speakers to mount back their, if only just to walk by and admire. Never get tire of those QS speakers.

Question: this bass management module. Is this a passive device that is a go between to the amp. and gives the ability to change bass via remote control during play back? And, allows spliting the signal to 2 subs? How much a month for this?

Hello again Bilbo

You can put it between your receiver and SACD/DVD Audio source, or if you have a separate processor and amplifier(s) you can put it between these components and have bass control for all source. It uses a wall-wart so I guess it's passive. The ICBM allows you to set the cross-over points for each pair of speakers and the center, also allows you to select both volume and LFE level for your sub(s). As to destructive interference, if your subs have phase controls, you should be able to avoid this problem. No remote control. You can check it out here:
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/icbm.html