[Sidewinder]

Is 7.1 surround sound a over kill for 12'x16' room? What are the placement for the speakers 4 up front and three in the rear + sub.

I'm looking at a yamaha receiver but it has no hdmi inputs on it, from what I have heard most or all of the hdmi receivers right now are just hdmi switching. I'll have to use the current optical cable "compressed audio".

Are there any stations that broadcast 6.1 or 7.1 surround is it complete over kill. I also assume that If it's 7.1 or 6.1 receiver that it can also do 5.1????

[capt1014]

Over kill? HA there is no such thing as over kill when it comes to surround systems.

[97BladeRider]

Sheesh, I have a older (10 years old) Onkyo Dolby Prologic system and a 4 satellite/center voice channel/sub Cambridge system and it's just fine for me. I'm not picky. And my living room is 16 x 12.

How picky do you have to get?

[bump909]

no hdmi input? that's weird.. which model you looking at? oh, and i'm only 5.1 but after hearing 7.1.. i'd have to say that it's defintely worth it if you can do it!

[bump909]

i recommend looking at the Denon AVR-2807

[Sidewinder]

Thats a nice reciver but will it work with hdmi 1.3? thats what the playstation 3 uses....

[SSearchVT]

There is no such thing as overkill!!! That said - your ears most likely won't be able to tell the difference between a 5.1, 6.1, or 7,1 system unless you build the room specifically as a home theater. If it is going to be installed into a living room with standard walls, cielings, and floors with speakers placed to fit the decor of the room don't worry too much about it.

[neuthunder]

+1... you cannot go overkill with surrounds sound... i've had a harmon kardon 7.1 for a year and half.. its in my bedroom now hooked up to my comp and it kicks ass

[slaps76]

I have 7.1, but isn't it true that there's no "true" 7.1? DVDs aren't recorded in that format yet?

It's not "overkill," because the point of more speakers isn't to make it louder.

[Sidewinder]

what are the surround male and female channels on this? There is 9 channels?

[bump909]

no, 2 sets of front channels for speakers A/B. incase you wanted to run a set of speakers in a different room.

[Sidewinder]

very nice!

[neuthunder]

Originally Posted by slaps76

I have 7.1, but isn't it true that there's no "true" 7.1? DVDs aren't recorded in that format yet?

It's not "overkill," because the point of more speakers isn't to make it louder.

technically yes, unless you have high def dvd or blue ray... but computers can run 7 channels if you have the sound card for it. otherwise you get 5.1 with 2 extra speakers running the other channels

[Stoneman]

We have 7.1, 1000 watt system in our new 20 x 20 living room. It's fookin' outrageous, both sound separation AND total output. When the kids are away, we can put on tunes and go to my neighbor's house. No joke!

Would I be able to tell the difference? Probably not. But when we were looking, 7.1 seemed the best bang for the buck. Most decent 7.1 systems have settings to expand 5.1 or 6.1 'recordings' to 7.1 from what I saw...

Also, summa the less expensive systems DIDN'T have powered subs. Total poop in my opinion. Don't sell yourself short...

I'd do it again...

[Sidewinder]

Sweet that denon also works with the ps3 so blue ray movies can be played at 7.1 what types of speakers did you get jay? I'm not looking to spend much over 2K on the denon and speakers so there's about 1K left over for speakers I would assume.

[Stoneman]

Originally Posted by Sidewinder

what types of speakers did you get jay? I'm not looking to spend much over 2K on the denon and speakers so there's about 1K left over for speakers I would assume.

We went with a complete system from Onkyo. It was a fraction of the cost of the 'big boys'. Install was straightforward, sound is great, price was incredibly right...

We spent a few days doing some serious homework. Checking out Consumer Reports and a handful of audio/video message boards & websites and shit like that. All signs pointed to the Onkyo. If we kill FOUR of these in the time it'd take to fry wunna the other 'big brands', we're still ahead of the game price-wise...

[bigred875]

imo it depends on were you are putting the tv, if you have enough room to properly setup 7:1 that is the way to go, about 3 years ago i bought a theatre system and because of the way my room is set up 6:1 worked the best for me....more important then 5:1, 6:1 and 7:1 1 is teh quality of the gear you buy, the placement and how you setup your sound stage....i have a sony reciever and cambridge sound works bottom of the line stuff and i think it sounds great.... This is a good base and I'll upgrade as my budget allows....

[benVFR]

Yah unless you have a dedicated room it's easy to not hear the difference.

I've moved around a bunch and the room can have a huge effect on how nice stuff sounds.

Personally I don't think 6.1 or 7.1 are compelling at all in terms of motivating me to upgrade. However if I was buying today I'd probably buy a 7.1 setup just cause that's the current thing.

I would however do the same thing I did when I bought my stuff.. buy the receiver & main speakers first and then fill in the other stuff later. I would not want to skimp on the most important stuff just to get the surrounds all at the same time. And if you get a good pair of main speakers you won't miss the subwoofer that much either while you wait for it IMO. (As in floor standing loudspeakers with 2-3 drivers, etc..)

[bump909]

Sidewinder.. check out Paradigm speakers. Paradigm | Exceptional Loudspeakers for Music and Home Theater

[Sidewinder]

Well as much as I want free standing front speakers I cant think of a way to place them I have no room.

They have to be satellite speakers. Take a look at the picture this is my theater room. I have since swaped the 50" tv that is in the picture with a 60" tv so there is less room than seen.

What are my best bet for around 1K. I've been eyeing these.
Mirage NANOSAT Home Theater Speaker System Five compact satellites and a subwoofer at Crutchfield.com

[bump909]

i have heard good things about Mirage.

[Sidewinder]

I just got off the phone and had order that package seems like a good fit for my room. What made me even more excited was the women on the phone was raving about my choice she picked the same package and was explaining tips on install etc.... for her price range "and mine" the audio guys picked that system out for her. Not that her telling me it was a good choice but it did help. I picked up a extra speaker and I plan on using the bose center channel for now untill I can get a kick ass one in the future. heading to bestbuy to buy that denon avr tonight. All in all about the 2K I wanted to spend thanks for all the advice.

Cant wait to hear the blue ray movies now!

[bump909]

nice, man! when the next "Faster" comes out to BR-DVD.. party at your place?

[Sidewinder]

You got it!