7.1 or 5.1 bi-amped?

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

I'm getting an Onkyo 806 soon and was wondering if I should just Bi-amp my towers, or go out a purchase to more speakers to complete the 7.1

If so, any ideas on surround back speakers?

[DerrellB]

If you have the room for proper placement do the 7.1. If not do not cramp the speakers in, to setup 7.1. I have a Bi_amped 5.2 system because I cant fit my monitor 30's into my setup because of space. I love it If you have space, I say go monitor 30's or even try the 40's again. I like they 40s because of the freq response though they are huge. Hope this helps. Also there arent too many 7.1 movies out right now either

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm just really tight on money, and it will be hard to find the M40 or even the M30 again at such a good value...and not used before. My room is fairly small. 13X14, and with 10ft. high ceilings.

And in regards to the movies, all my blus are still in a 5.1 mix, so even if I got the amp and speakers, I wouldn't be able to use the systems potential.

[DerrellB]

whats your price range and what color are your speakers. I know the monitor line had maple, cherry, and black.

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by Audiophile_At_Birth

.
And in regards to the movies, all my blus are still in a 5.1 mix, so even if I got the amp and speakers, I wouldn't be able to use the systems potential.

yet.....

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

Haha, good point. I really can't wait to get lossless and all the new HD codecs. It's like I have a brand new corvette (my investment in speakers) and i've only driven it in a school zone.

Price range, well, if I had too. I could go kill my bank account right now, get the amp and the a pair of Monitor 40s...which would break me.

As for the colors, I have the Black ash ones, as it matches most of my room color scheme, if you will. However, I could care less if they were cherry, I'm going for the surround back speakers here...just no maple.

Any other suggestions on amps with about the same specs and wattage rating that I could also look at?

[HAMP]

I never bi-amped my fronts, but I have heard good things about it.
I really like having the 7.1 even if to just matrix the sound is cool.

When I come across a movie that is TrueHD 5.1. I let the PS3 do the decoding for the HD sound, then I select 'THX Ultra2 Cinema' on my Onkyo 805 to expand the 5.1 to 7.1 channel playback.

There are a few other option for the 5.1 to 7.1 it's just I like the Ultra2.

[DerrellB]

I am looking at the emotiva upa-7 $600 shipped and the emotiva XPA 5 700 shipped.

I have read that emotiva is one of the best bang for the buck amps. The xpa series has more WPC than the upa but for your setup which is similar to mines, the upa will be a great match and the upa is 7 channels 125 x 7 and the xpa is 5 channels 200x5 all in 8 ohms.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Originally Posted by HAMP

When I come across a movie that is TrueHD 5.1. I let the PS3 do the decoding for the HD sound, then I select 'THX Ultra2 Cinema' on my Onkyo 805 to expand the 5.1 to 7.1 channel playback.

There are a few other option for the 5.1 to 7.1 it's just I like the Ultra2.

Does that effect anything else? You still get the lossless audio from the other 5 speakers? Does it effect the rear side surrounds, or just matrix in the back?

I would prob never do that anyway. I'm big into having everything "How the director meant it to be". To me that is on of the great things about Blu-ray, different aspect ratio's, 5.1 or 7.1 etc...

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

I understand the need for future proofing a system I.E. 7.1

However, what could one benifit from the most in general terms regardless of price?

Bi-amped Towers with clearer and crisper sound (better highs and far better lows in my case) or having more surround effects from the behind the listener? Like how drastic are the changes from having bi-amped towers to not having bi-amped towers on terms of tonal balance? I always hear people saying it makes your speakers come to life like night and day, but don't go on farther to really explain in clarity what they really mean. (I don't like boomy bass, I like to feel it in my feet through the floor and in my chest (can't wait for the ED sub).)

Also my setup is not your typical rectangle front to back setup (like a movie theater) it's at a diagonal from one corner to the opposite in a almost perfect sqaure froom.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

Does that effect anything else? You still get the lossless audio from the other 5 speakers? Does it effect the rear side surrounds, or just matrix in the back?

I would prob never do that anyway. I'm big into having everything "How the director meant it to be". To me that is on of the great things about Blu-ray, different aspect ratio's, 5.1 or 7.1 etc...

Yes you still get lossless audio from all 5 plus the other 2.
No compression, if that's what you are asking?

As the book says:
THX ULTRA2 CINEMA
This mode expands 5.1-channel sources for 7.1-channel playback. It does this by analyzing the composition of the surround source, optimizing the
ambient and directional sounds to produce the surround back channel output.
THX:
Founded by George Lucas, THX develops stringent standards that ensure movies are reproduced in movie theaters and home theaters just as the director intended.

There are other listening modes that change 5.1 to 7.1, I use this one the most

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Thanks! I assume you like it better then the lossless 5.1 tracks that are encoded onto the disc? It just seems like taking a step back in way... you know, kind of reminds me of Dolby Pro Logic before DVD brought us DD 5.1. I just wish more movies came with 7.1 on the disc.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

Thanks! I assume you like it better then the lossless 5.1 tracks that are encoded onto the disc? It just seems like taking a step back in way... you know, kind of reminds me of Dolby Pro Logic before DVD brought us DD 5.1. I just wish more movies came with 7.1 on the disc.

Why do you feel it's taking a step back? It's still doing what should be done plus 2 more speakers.

[Blu_Ray_Fan]

Not really a step back. Just wish with Blu you didn't have to decisions like this. Besides, then my Onkyo doesn't display True-HD or DTS-MA... lol.

As long as it doesn't change anything else, I suppose it's ok then.

I just HATE simulating anything.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by Blu_Ray_Fan

I just HATE simulating anything.

I totally understand, it reminds me of something I read before.

Some people like True Surround sound and some people just like to hear all the speakers around them

Well it's not a perfect quote, but it was something like that. I understand what you mean.

It may not seem like it, but I am the True Surround person.
It's just something about the Ultra2 I really enjoy.

[aramis109]

For those questioning bi-amping, it only takes a little bit of extra speaker wire to try it for yourself! Personally, I recommend at least trying it.

[Audiophile_At_Birth]

So I still can't decide... What will do the justice on a movie soundtrack...Bi-Amped fronts or 7.1???

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Audiophile_At_Birth

So I still can't decide... What will do the justice on a movie soundtrack...Bi-Amped fronts or 7.1???

If you have the room for 7.1, it is definitely superior to bi-amping. Unfortunately, most movies are 5.1. You can always use Dolby Pro Logic IIx and matrix the side surrounds into rear surrounds and make all movies 7.1. I do this with very satisfactory results.

Bi-amping and 7.1 are not mutually exclusive. Most people assume that the use of the receiver's rear channels is the only option for bi-amping. That is in fact the least desirable setup for bi-amping. I have bi-amped and tri-amped my speakers for over 10 years and never used a receiver to do it. The proper way of bi-amping is with the help of external amplifiers.

My suggestion to you is to go for the 7.1 setup. After that, save your money and purchase a two-channel amplifier. Use the receiver to feed the mid-range/tweeters and use the amplifier to feed the woofers. You can buy new or used two-channel amplifiers very cheaply. Audio Source sells a couple of new amps for around $100 to $150. There are plenty of powerful used Carver amplifiers that you can purchase on Ebay. Check Parts-Express.com or Amazon for low cost two-channel amplifiers.

[varmintx]

Thanks for the tip Big Daddy, but I have a question...will the different power outputs of the receiver and the amp cause any problems?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by varmintx

Thanks for the tip Big Daddy, but I have a question...will the different power outputs of the receiver and the amp cause any problems?

The total amount of power that goes to the speaker is controlled by the receiver. However, there may be minor difference between the efficinecy of the two sources. Some amplifiers have knobs that allow you to adjust for that. Ideally, it is best to have two identical amplifiers doing the job.

If this does create a problem, you can use the amplifier to power the rear channels in a 7.1 setup and have the receiver power the front speakers in a bi-amp configuration. I personally prefer to use two identical external amplifiers to drive the front speakers and have the receiver take care of the surround speakers.