Considering moving from 5.1 to 7.1. I have QS8s on the side facing the the listening position. The sofa is up against the back wall. If I put a pair of QS8s on the backwall, will I get the 7.1 experience or do they really need be to be further back? If I put them on the wall, they would in effect be above the listening position.
How far from MLP are the QS8? What version are they?
If I am siting dead center, the QS8s are about 7 feet away on each side pointing directly at the listening position. Not sure which version, but they are about 5 years old.
They are most likely v4. The latest. You can tell by the tweeter.
My side QS8 were 10 and 12 feet away. They were too puny. My rear QS8 were 8 and 11 feet away. They did nothing. I tried all kinds of speakers behind me. Nothing. I gave up.
Then I got the QS10v4 for 5.1. The first review on the QS10 below is mine.
https://www.axiomaudio.com/qs10-surround-sound-speakers
I suspected that I would only get a small enhancement with putting rear surrounds above the MLP and figured it would not be worth it. Hmmm...now I'm thinking maybe go to 5.1.2 Atmos. ..Thanks.
Unless you have a couple of feet from the rears they tend to be not very effective. Another option I enjoy is front height/width speakers. Many AVRs give you that option for the 7th cannels.
The Atmos. will give you more than the 7.1 option although most of the time there's next to no height content
I've tried close, I've tried far. I've tried direct, I've tried quad polar. I've tried big, I've tried small. All a big fail. Could be my room. 4.1 works so well with QS10s, I've no more need to try and make it better.
It's you room Mojo.
The QS8's are pretty forgiving for less than ideal placement options, but you do need two or three feet minimum behind you for the back channels to do much. I had a 7.2 using QS8's at the sides and backs, and the backs were about 3' behind the seats. I liked this set up quite a bit. I never had a desire to change until recently. Now I have a 7.4.2 Atmos set up and love it. With a good Atmos recording, the sound is fantastic. I literally feel like I'm in a bubble of sound. Well worth the expense and aggravation to set it up.
You are likely right about my room.
BTW, I tried anywhere from 3 feet to 11 feet. Nadda! I also tried two different receivers. No difference.
Atmos, or something like it, one day. I am in absolutely no hurry because I am FINALLY really enjoying what I have.