With the addition of 'wide' surrounds and such, are we headed in this direction for HT sound? First on the front wall, then on every wall?

http://www.hometheater.com/content/aerial-acoustics-system-1-theaterwall

This isn't really new. RBH offered something exactly like this, called the CinemaSITE. CinemaSITE even had matching columns for the surrounds, as well.

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/floorstanding/rbh-sound-cinemasite
http://www.rbhsound.com/images/literature/lit_cinemasite.pdf

It was discontinued in 2007, according to the RBH website. It is a nice idea, since you can have a beautiful looking home theater, without having to be a master of carpentry (though you may be able to hire such a person to do it cheaper). It was probably discontinued due to not enough people interested such a product. And the price, for the RBH product.

Reminds me a little of my setup, only on a bigger scale.

That's basically what i have now with M80's sitting on my two subs(Paradigm) with a VP160(soon). Can't wait!

I never said it was new, my question is in regard to this becoming the next 'must have'.
First, 5.1, then 6.1, then 7.1, with 7.2, etc.
Now wide, surrounds, and more upfront AND the key, a/v receivers that support all this.

So what was a concept years ago, is now being supported much more broadly. This link was just a version that puts everything around the tv in a convenient package as opposed to some on these forums who already have the tv area surrounded by speakers (say like Ian in a 10.2 configuration).

3D was not a new concept either, goes back decades actually, but is it now the new must have (and might stay around) concept?
3D came and went a few times over the years but looks alot more mainstream now than it ever did.

So, is this wall of sound the new bar for HT?
When will this expand to every wall (L, R and rear?)

I have a 10.2 if you count two centers as seperates.

No.

OK.

As long as it sounds good and you can afford a set up like this then why not? I htink most people still won't be able to afford anythng remotely similar if this does become the new 'standard'

Indeed so, chess; the trend is clear: the required AV equipment will expand to the point that there will be insufficient room to accommodate humans, only the Audyssey microphone at the sweet spot.

Im holding out for whats coming from SRS labs.Sounds really good if it actually takes off. Other than this i see no reason for a reciever upgrade.

http://www.hometheater.com/content/tech-spotlight-srs-future-surround

Holy Crap SocketMan! I've heard of this kind of thing, but never seen it.

They obviously have never heard a QS8 in action, if they did they would never have the need for that many speakers all around you.

I would love to hear the Aerial Acoustics system but I have my doubts about this type of set-up becoming the standard. So much of getting good sound in a room depends on speaker placement and you don't have much flexibilty here. Thanks for the post.

Wow...

I wouldn't rule it out John because at that point, the mic then sends what it picks up to where the users are located in their new spot thus implying a perfect sound reproduction no?

Yep, this is exactly what i'm talking about.
Will HT standards eventually go from 5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 10.1, 10.2, to 15.5, 25.10, etc. etc.

It is almost like the anti-anechoic chamber where you have speakers on every surface covering an entire room.

"anti-anechoic chamber"

That certainly has a ring to it. The next time I answer the door to be greeted by a religious organization looking to add me to their flock, I'm going to say "Sorry, I'm anti-anechoic." and see where that leads.

Yeah, chess; presumably the output of the microphone would have to be wired directly into the brains of the remotely located listeners so that the acoustics of their location wouldn't upset the perfection of the results.

Right now I'm thinking that getting old isn't so bad after all.