Do you have to use all the speakers in a 5.1? - Blu-ray Forum

sebprice1984 · 10-06-2011, 07:39 PM

I currently have a small room to play with for a home theatre. My question is there a problem with only using the left, right and centre speakers from a 5.1 speaker system? I really liked the Kef KHT-3005 which sound great but I really have no room for the rear speakers atm until my extension is built. Can I get away with only using the front speakers and sub for the time being? Any replies are greatly appreciated!

Steve · 10-06-2011, 11:21 PM

It's fine if you only use the front 3 speakers and subwoofer.

crazyBLUE · 10-06-2011, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

It's fine if you only use the front 3 speakers and subwoofer.

I second this

Johnny Vinyl · 10-06-2011, 11:48 PM

Of course it's fine. Heck, it's fine even if you only use the front 2 without the centre or a sub...

Aerodude73 · 10-06-2011, 11:58 PM

Agreed with the last few posts, as the MAIN Audio is usually coming from your FRONT soundstage anyway, most of THAT from the CENTER Speaker. Enjoy til' you can add the rears.

MrNish · 10-07-2011, 03:09 AM

I was just going to post this question as well...Good thing I checked before posting... Just to expand on this, I am saving up and buying pieces of my audio system. For all you guys out there, do you think it's better to get the receiver first or speakers first?..any thoughts would be awesome!

Aerodude73 · 10-07-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrNish

I was just going to post this question as well...Good thing I checked before posting... Just to expand on this, I am saving up and buying pieces of my audio system. For all you guys out there, do you think it's better to get the receiver first or speakers first?..any thoughts would be awesome!

Tough call, not sure it matters Which one you'd buy 1st, as one is useless w/o the other, right?

In MOST cases tho', your AVR would be less than speakers, depending on if you're buying an Entire spkr set, or just fronts/center first, then adding surrounds & a Sub (or 2). A Good AVR

[Show spoiler]

prob starts at $350+ easy.

BIslander · 10-07-2011, 08:19 AM

A 5.1 system has surrounds, not rears. And the surrounds go on tbe sides, roughly even with the main listening position. Do you lack the space for surrounds?

But, yes, you can go with L/C/R/SW to start. Just configure the AVR for 3.1 and it will downmix the surround sounds into the front channels.

BIslander · 10-07-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrNish

...do you think it's better to get the receiver first or speakers first?

You need at least two speakers and an AVR to get started. You can add the other speakers and a subwoofer down the road.

Steve · 10-08-2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrNish

I was just going to post this question as well...Good thing I checked before posting... Just to expand on this, I am saving up and buying pieces of my audio system. For all you guys out there, do you think it's better to get the receiver first or speakers first?..any thoughts would be awesome!

IMO it's best to get the speakers first, or at least decide which ones you want. That way you can then be sure to get a receiver or amp suitable for your speakers. Some speakers take a good amount of power to sound good and wouldn't be a good match with a budget AV receiver. There are also instances where speakers and receivers aren't really compatible with each other due to impedance ratings.

Canada · 10-10-2011, 08:20 PM

I would say go with 3.1 preferable 3.0 if you dont have a sub or bring back the 80's with 2.0 if you don't have room for 3 speakers.

Johnny Vinyl · 10-10-2011, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada

I would say go with 3.1 preferable 3.0 if you dont have a sub or bring back the 80's with 2.0 if you don't have room for 3 speakers.

It's now 2011 and soon to be 2012, yet I still only run a 2.0 system. Do I get surround? NO! Does it give me a great user experience? YES!

miyamoto · 10-12-2012, 08:03 AM

If you are happy with it,why not?But I agree that a Sub Woofer makes a big difference with 2 or 5 speakers!

Imm0ral Knight · 12-22-2012, 03:34 AM

I agree with adding a subwoofer to your system. It doesn't matter if it's 2, 3 or 5 speakers. Having that .1 for them makes all the difference.

motown311 · 12-22-2012, 10:42 AM

using front three are fine if you dont want the true movie experience, no surround sound whats the point.

10-06-2011, 07:39 PM	#1
sebprice1984 Junior Member Member since:Apr 2011	Do you have to use all the speakers in a 5.1? I currently have a small room to play with for a home theatre. My question is there a problem with only using the left, right and centre speakers from a 5.1 speaker system? I really liked the Kef KHT-3005 which sound great but I really have no room for the rear speakers atm until my extension is built. Can I get away with only using the front speakers and sub for the time being? Any replies are greatly appreciated!

10-06-2011, 11:21 PM	#2
Steve Blu-ray Knight Top contributor Member since:May 2008 Location:Jacksonville, FL Home Theater Gallery:77 Blu-ray collection:193 PS3 collection:20 Hardware reviews:1 Trading Score:39	It's fine if you only use the front 3 speakers and subwoofer. Steve

10-06-2011, 11:48 PM	#4
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:27 Blu-ray collection:172 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:7	Of course it's fine. Heck, it's fine even if you only use the front 2 without the centre or a sub... John - I love the smell of vinyl in the morning! My personal motto: "Live Life! Leave A Legacy!" I reserve the right to post as a member. When I post as a Moderator I will select a color depending on my mood! AudioQuest - Genesis - McIntosh - Nottingham - Ortofon - PS Audio - Rega - Valab/King

10-06-2011, 11:58 PM	#5
Aerodude73 Blu-ray Prince Member since:Oct 2008 Location:Middletown, RI (MEMBER OF THE "ECPP")™ Home Theater Gallery:134 Blu-ray collection:845 Blu-ray reviews:9 Trading Score:28	Agreed with the last few posts, as the MAIN Audio is usually coming from your FRONT soundstage anyway, most of THAT from the CENTER Speaker. Enjoy til' you can add the rears. Boston, Mass. - 7 PROF. Sports Titles/9 Years (2002-2011) R.I.P. - RICHIE HAYWARD - (2/6/46 - 8/12/10) POLK AUDIO: "LIVE IT, BREATHE IT, LOVE IT, BELIEVE IT" ™ 50" Samsung DLP - POLK AUDIO - "7.2" Set-up - Center: CS2 - Front: T90e's Surrounds: FXi A6's (Side), A3's (Rear) - Subs: 2 PA-120's Onkyo TX-SR706 - OPPO BDP-83 - DirecTV HD-DVR - Harmony ONE - BLU-RAYS: 845

10-10-2011, 08:20 PM	#11
Canada Blu-ray Samurai Top contributor Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Victoria, BC Home Theater Gallery:17 Blu-ray collection:345 DVD collection:11 PS3 collection:29 Blu-ray reviews:39	I would say go with 3.1 preferable 3.0 if you dont have a sub or bring back the 80's with 2.0 if you don't have room for 3 speakers. Jax Teller: What ever happened to 10 on 10 a fair fight A.J Weston I like winning. Jax Teller: Yeah me too. Overcome Bond quotes USA the Greatest country in the world? Spring Breakers "Roger (Ebert) was the movies." President Obama "Your intellect may be confused," he once wrote, "but your emotions will never lie to you." Roger Ebert "Damnit Jim I'm a reviewer not a nerd" Richard Roeper

10-07-2011, 03:09 AM	#6
MrNish New Member Member since:Dec 2010 Location:California Blu-ray collection:43	I was just going to post this question as well...Good thing I checked before posting... Just to expand on this, I am saving up and buying pieces of my audio system. For all you guys out there, do you think it's better to get the receiver first or speakers first?..any thoughts would be awesome!

10-07-2011, 08:19 AM	#8
BIslander Blu-ray Guru Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Bainbridge Island, WA	A 5.1 system has surrounds, not rears. And the surrounds go on tbe sides, roughly even with the main listening position. Do you lack the space for surrounds? But, yes, you can go with L/C/R/SW to start. Just configure the AVR for 3.1 and it will downmix the surround sounds into the front channels.

10-12-2012, 08:03 AM	#13
miyamoto Junior Member Member since:Oct 2012	If you are happy with it,why not?But I agree that a Sub Woofer makes a big difference with 2 or 5 speakers!

12-22-2012, 03:34 AM	#14
Imm0ral Knight Junior Member Member since:Oct 2011	I agree with adding a subwoofer to your system. It doesn't matter if it's 2, 3 or 5 speakers. Having that .1 for them makes all the difference.

12-22-2012, 10:42 AM	#15
motown311 Junior Member Member since:Aug 2012 Location:western PA Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:38 DVD collection:109 Blu-ray reviews:1	surround sound using front three are fine if you dont want the true movie experience, no surround sound whats the point.

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