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198.12.16.4
I just got done framing out my "home theater room" and am getting ready to do the electrical and run all the other wiring. Is there any advantage of going 7.1 or should I stick to 5.1? It seemed like 7.1 was going to be all the rage, but it seems like most high end products are still made for 5.1. What would you do?Thanks,
Dave
Follow Ups:
While you are still framing, go for as many speakers/channels as possible, up to 10.2 if you can. 7.1 is around the corner and the future may bring more. Then, you can use them as needed.If you do only 5.1 (or 7.1), you may regret it.
Kal
The next video format (blue laser in 2005/2006) has the option of 7.1 discrete channels. Based on this alone, I'd go the 7.1 route. Also, why just one sub? I'll be using two for the LFE channel. Then again, I'm not familiar with the term "in moderation".
Actually wire for 9.1 or 10.1 because you know its only going to go up :)
It depends on the size and configuration of the room, in a rectangular room close to golden ratio or a square room I prefer 5.1 with the surround speakers in the back corners, if it is long and narrow, 7.1 should do better imaging front to back...
Antonio Melo Ribeiro
You are only kidding, of course.Why is heck would you NOT wire for 7 channel? To save a couple of bucks? You have open walls? Then wire for and use 7 channels.... Having sides AND rears makes a huge improvement to the envelopment.
Now, please tell me you are going to use quality gear :)
Good Luck.
The problem with 7.1 and 5.1 is that, as I understand it, the speakers would go in different places in the setup. I guess I could just run wires to those built in screw terminals and then worry about exact placement later, but if I wanted to do anything "in wall" I'd have to decide everthing now.Dave
I would find a high end A/V dealer in the area and see if you can listen to a demo with 5.1 and 7.1 surround. A great movie to use for a demo is "Cast Away" as it is encoded in DTSes(a 6.1 format), which also works well with 7.1 surround. I have 7.1 surround and for some movies is is great, that is if they are encoded for Surround EX or DTSes, but it seems that most movies still cling to the 5.1 standard. Most processors will create the rear center channel even if the movie is not encoded for it. Although, I listened to "The Last Waltz" in 7.1 surround and the rear center distracted from the rest of the sound, so I switched the rear surrounds off and went with a 5.1 set up. I would not buy a 7 channel amp or even a 5 channel amp if you ever plan on upgrading, as they don't seem to hold as much value as a 2 channel amp. The best of both world would be to do a 6.1 channel set up with 3 stereo amps, they should all be the same amp, but don't have to be.
I have demonstrated matrix 6.1 versus discreet 5.1 on 5.1 material to many guests, audiophiles and non-audiophiles. All could clearly hear the difference and all preferred the 6.1 with the phantom rear canter channel.BTW, agree on "Cast Away". It has a great DTS mix. Also, try "Master and Comander" in DTS, possibly the best DVD sound yet!
If the room and the speakers and amp vhannles are available I would go for the 7.1. I have a prepro and the spare power amp channels to do this but since I'm using Magenapan 1.6 speakers front and back adding two more would make the place like Stonehenge so I satisfy myself with a sixth phanton center rear channel which my pre/pro simulates from 5.1 material. Even non-audiophiles can hear the diffrence when I switch back and forth between 5.1 and matrix 6.1. Plus the newer Dolby and DTS codecs can simulate 7.1 from stereo material.
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