Hi there, I've lurked these forums for quite a few years and I really like the community here. I needed some advice from you guys.

I just purchased a pair of QS8 for my 5.1 system. I'm using old bose (I know, shame on me) speakers as my surrounds and an old JBL sub. I'm slowly changing out my whole system to an Axiom system. My question is I do have a HK247 receiver that processes 7.1 surround. Do I hook up my old bose to the back two channels for 7.1, or should I stay w/ a dedicated 5.1?

My room dimensions are as follows: (26l x 11w x 7h) and I sit about 13 to 15ft back from my projector screen, leaving some room in the back for the QS8's to fill.
If it helps, I don't have bluray yet, but I will soon, probably by summertime I'm hoping to get a PS3. Thank you for your help.

Might as well try them out in 7.1 and see how they sound. Are they little tiny box speakers, or something more substantial?

With that much depth I would try the 7.1. You have nothing to lose and only extra surround sound to gain.

They are their "semi-rectangular" ones. Kinda odd shaped and not very big at all. I will do that once I get my QS8's (the waiting on the email is hard).

Yeah Jakewash, I assumed the same thing w/ having that much depth in the back, but do you think that having a different speaker on the backwall and the qs8's on the side will have a "tonal" difference to where it would be distracting when watching movies?

Hard to say without trying, but my guess is that it's worth using them. I find the effects from most sources that come through the back surround speakers are far from demanding, so I think the Bose has a better chance of blending when used in the back... it obviously won't be perfect, but with that much distance, I think overall you'll like the added envelopment you get by having a 7.1 vs. 5.1.

I will try that. Thank you guys for your helpful advice. I very much appreciate it! I will chime in later on when I receive my qs8's. One more question, sorry about this, but how far apart do you usually seperate the back surrounds? Is there a formula or trick to this, or is it trial and error?

I myself would probably go for aesthetics and set the speakers at the 1/3 and 2/3 marks on the rear wall.

I would follow the BOSE slogen in this case "better sound through research". I just couldn't stop myself from posting this. LOL

I haven't dumped my old speakers yet either and have been thinking about running more cable and adding those for rear channels. I have a feeling though I'd just spend the day wiring and wish i had more QS8s instead.

Ascen, sure with that much room behind your listening position to form a rear sound field, hook-em-up. No, the separation doesn't involve trial-and-error, but rather a similar separation standard as applies to the front speakers: separate them about as far as your distance from them.

What John said... Though just as info, for my rear surrounds, they are about as far apart as the 80s are in the front, which also happens to be at 1/3 and 2/3 of the wall... (and the main seating position in my case is about halfway between front and back walls)

Thank you for all the info guys. I really do appreciate it. You guys rock!