Is 7.1 worth it? - Blu-ray Forum

richard lichtenfelt · 11-29-2007, 01:45 PM

I'm leaning towards getting a 7.1 system, but I live in an apartment and probably won't be moving for years. Would I be foolish to have 7.1 surround in a living room that only measures 25 by 15 feet?
Especially those who have gone from a 5.1 to a 7.1 set-up please give me some feedback.

BLU STEAL · 11-29-2007, 01:54 PM

There is still not much 7.1 content out there. But hopefully soon there will be. If your a gamer and have a ps3 most of if not all of the games are in 7.1.

tron3 · 11-29-2007, 01:54 PM

The room is only 15 feet wide? I'm no sound expert but that could impact the acoustics of the room. You'll probably get a lot of sound bouncing off the side walls if you crank the volume too high.

But that is just my opinion.

hc666 · 11-29-2007, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard lichtenfelt

I'm leaning towards getting a 7.1 system, but I live in an apartment and probably won't be moving for years. Would I be foolish to have 7.1 surround in a living room that only measures 25 by 15 feet?
Especially those who have gone from a 5.1 to a 7.1 set-up please give me some feedback.

YES

Just got my TX-SR605 with 7.1 SKS-HT740 speakers going last night.

Put on the Descent and listened to the the opening waves crashing behind my head... was sweet.

Esp if you are Blu... need the 7.1 dude

Note that the Descent is 6.1 movie, but uses the 2 back speakers as one signal

bilbravo · 11-29-2007, 01:55 PM

I have a 6.1 system, and I don't even have the 6th speaker hooked up. I'm still in a 5.1 configuration.

If you have a dedicated theatre room and are really in to home theatre, it's probably worth it.

hc666 · 11-29-2007, 02:00 PM

I responded too fast... your neighbours will likely kill you if you go 7.1 lol

sorry i didn't read the whole post!

Memnoch · 11-29-2007, 02:07 PM

I had a 5.1 system for a while and upgraded to a 7.1 system when I got my PS3. All I had to do was buy two center surround speakers for behind my couch. I think it was $40. I have an Onkyo 605. I have lived in an apartment for quite a few years and haven't had any issues. I love it. It is true that there is not a TON of 7.1 content, but everything I have put in that PS3 has sounded amazing, except Spiderman 1 for some reason. That is the only BD I have ever been disappointed with. 2 and 3 sounded great, but 1 was muffled and bad. Don't know why.

I recently got Rockband and the crowd noises fill the room all around you, like you are really there. Everyday Shooter sounds great, love the soundtrack on that game. So does the NIN SACD The Downward Spiral. I don't like to miss out on things, like if I had gotten a BD that had 7.1 and I had to go with a 5.1 mix, so it was worth the upgrade to me. It is not worth a major investment right now, but may be in a year or two. But if you have an extra $500, it is definitely a nice upgrade.

CptGreedle · 11-29-2007, 02:10 PM

I have been playing Folklore lately, and it completely surrounds me in the environment, you can hear the insect and the birds all around you. I think it is worth the extra price.

chrisshea · 11-29-2007, 02:11 PM

we got 7.1 and 2 more speakers yamaha calls presence speakers but i doubt anything come sout of them

johnnymech · 11-29-2007, 02:47 PM

I have 5.1 and have found that that the rear speakers aren't as important as a good subwoofer. 7.1, as an idea, seems like too much clutter.

To anyone that doesn't feel like running cable around the room, I'd recommend three speakers up front (left, center, right) and a subwoofer. The subwoofer is considered the ".1", but adds to the sound more than the speakers that add the occasional ambient noise.

jkwest · 11-29-2007, 02:54 PM

I love 7.1.

two sides and two rears=total immersion.

can't wait for the 11.1 systems to come out. Got the spots already picked out on my ceiling and under my flooring...

dobyblue · 11-29-2007, 03:17 PM

Good 5.1 bookshelf system > satellite 7.1 system

Better off upgrading fronts and centers before adding 6th and 7th channels in my opinion.

quetzalcoatl · 11-29-2007, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Good 5.1 bookshelf system > satellite 7.1 system

Better off upgrading fronts and centers before adding 6th and 7th channels in my opinion.

Agreed. Once more content comes 7.1 then this might change.

CptGreedle · 11-29-2007, 03:34 PM

I sure hope LotR supports 7.1 when it comes out. The EE DVD goes up to 6.1 and it sounds great, but the BD would be better!

Sorbert · 11-29-2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkwest

I love 7.1.

two sides and two rears=total immersion.

can't wait for the 11.1 systems to come out. Got the spots already picked out on my ceiling and under my flooring...

well wait just a bit longer for 11.2 ;p
should be out soon
11.2

Trebar · 11-29-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorbert

well wait just a bit longer for 11.2 ;p
should be out soon
11.2

Ok. That's just nuts.
A big projection home theater could benefit from that but I wouldn't want to have to sit in the back hearing only the 8 - 11 channels.

Anyway, I have had complaints from my neighbors running my 6.1 at 40% capability. I have a similar small apartment and I had a hard time finding a spot for the rear channel and not have it drown out one person and barely be audible to another.

I would recomend that you stay with 5.1, get the best speakers you can afford and wait till you upgrade to a larger place.

hellmonkey · 11-29-2007, 04:36 PM

i think 5.1 is a lil overkill personally. u need a large room for it. 5.1 with excellent speakers n sub is awesome. i love shacking crap off my walls.

B-rad · 11-29-2007, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dobyblue

Good 5.1 bookshelf system > satellite 7.1 system

Better off upgrading fronts and centers before adding 6th and 7th channels in my opinion.

Yeah.. I was wondering that! I have a cheap costco Sony receiver and 5.1 now. I was trying to decide if I would rather go with a high end 5.1 before worrying about 7.1. I'm sure, for me, just having a better 5.1 will make me feel like i have the best sound EVER!

NoTx · 11-29-2007, 04:59 PM

You know, years ago I had the same question. I went from 5.1 to 7.1, sort of. It was before there were any true 7.1 sources. So it was basically 6.1. Was it worth it? Being I spent over three grand (reciever, speakers, dvd)? Hell yes.

More speakers in my book allow lower volume envelopment. You are surrounded by the sound... and the extras you can hear at 6.1 are insanly good. You her things even on older movies that you didn't hear before. Little things... that make everything more real.

I had a living room that was SMALLER than the one you are describing. I loved it.

Now for my new house, I have just fired off an order for my new Yamaha RX-V1800... so I obviously am putting my money where my mouth is

buckshot · 11-29-2007, 05:20 PM

I can't believe what i'm hearing here. blu ray supporters, we who ask for nothing but the best, and some of you are saying that 7.1 isn't worth it. that's just sad. what's next? advanced audio isn't worth it? its a slippery slop :P 7.1 is amazing. and as more and more movies, and audio formats, come about that support it the better it is. even now with the right receiver it will matrix any signal to 7.1.

11-29-2007, 01:45 PM	#1
richard lichtenfelt Power Member Member since:Jul 2007 Location:I'm not drunk, I'm just tired cause I been up all night drinking. Blu-ray reviews:3	Is 7.1 worth it? I'm leaning towards getting a 7.1 system, but I live in an apartment and probably won't be moving for years. Would I be foolish to have 7.1 surround in a living room that only measures 25 by 15 feet? Especially those who have gone from a 5.1 to a 7.1 set-up please give me some feedback.

11-29-2007, 01:54 PM	#3
tron3 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Aug 2004 Location:New Jersey Blu-ray reviews:3	The room is only 15 feet wide? I'm no sound expert but that could impact the acoustics of the room. You'll probably get a lot of sound bouncing off the side walls if you crank the volume too high. But that is just my opinion. Last edited by tron3; 11-29-2007 at 02:03 PM.

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11-29-2007, 01:54 PM	#2
BLU STEAL Active Member Member since:Oct 2007	There is still not much 7.1 content out there. But hopefully soon there will be. If your a gamer and have a ps3 most of if not all of the games are in 7.1.

11-29-2007, 01:55 PM	#5
bilbravo Expert Member Member since:Oct 2007 Location:MD, USA Blu-ray collection:28	I have a 6.1 system, and I don't even have the 6th speaker hooked up. I'm still in a 5.1 configuration. If you have a dedicated theatre room and are really in to home theatre, it's probably worth it.

11-29-2007, 02:00 PM	#6
hc666 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:7 Blu-ray collection:100 Blu-ray reviews: 26	I responded too fast... your neighbours will likely kill you if you go 7.1 lol sorry i didn't read the whole post!

11-29-2007, 02:07 PM	#7
Memnoch Expert Member Member since:Jun 2007 Location:Northern VA 4K collection:185 Blu-ray collection:185 Trading Score:1	I had a 5.1 system for a while and upgraded to a 7.1 system when I got my PS3. All I had to do was buy two center surround speakers for behind my couch. I think it was $40. I have an Onkyo 605. I have lived in an apartment for quite a few years and haven't had any issues. I love it. It is true that there is not a TON of 7.1 content, but everything I have put in that PS3 has sounded amazing, except Spiderman 1 for some reason. That is the only BD I have ever been disappointed with. 2 and 3 sounded great, but 1 was muffled and bad. Don't know why. I recently got Rockband and the crowd noises fill the room all around you, like you are really there. Everyday Shooter sounds great, love the soundtrack on that game. So does the NIN SACD The Downward Spiral. I don't like to miss out on things, like if I had gotten a BD that had 7.1 and I had to go with a 5.1 mix, so it was worth the upgrade to me. It is not worth a major investment right now, but may be in a year or two. But if you have an extra $500, it is definitely a nice upgrade.

11-29-2007, 02:10 PM	#8
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	I have been playing Folklore lately, and it completely surrounds me in the environment, you can hear the insect and the birds all around you. I think it is worth the extra price.

11-29-2007, 02:11 PM	#9
chrisshea Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Blu-ray reviews:3	we got 7.1 and 2 more speakers yamaha calls presence speakers but i doubt anything come sout of them

11-29-2007, 02:47 PM	#10
johnnymech Active Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Eastern, USA 4K collection:22 Blu-ray collection:576 DVD collection:632 Blu-ray reviews:4	I have 5.1 and have found that that the rear speakers aren't as important as a good subwoofer. 7.1, as an idea, seems like too much clutter. To anyone that doesn't feel like running cable around the room, I'd recommend three speakers up front (left, center, right) and a subwoofer. The subwoofer is considered the ".1", but adds to the sound more than the speakers that add the occasional ambient noise.

11-29-2007, 02:54 PM	#11
jkwest Off-Topic King Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Northern California PSN Id: jkwest5 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:20	I love 7.1. two sides and two rears=total immersion. can't wait for the 11.1 systems to come out. Got the spots already picked out on my ceiling and under my flooring...

11-29-2007, 03:17 PM	#12
dobyblue Super Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jul 2006 Location:Ontario, Canada Home Theater Gallery:71 4K collection:55 Blu-ray collection:655 Blu-ray reviews: 15	Good 5.1 bookshelf system > satellite 7.1 system Better off upgrading fronts and centers before adding 6th and 7th channels in my opinion.

11-29-2007, 03:34 PM	#14
CptGreedle Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Sworn super-hero now services Atlanta (and suburbs). Blu-ray collection:128 Blu-ray reviews:5	I sure hope LotR supports 7.1 when it comes out. The EE DVD goes up to 6.1 and it sounds great, but the BD would be better!

11-29-2007, 04:36 PM	#17
hellmonkey Power Member Member since:Nov 2007 Location:Chicago, IL	i think 5.1 is a lil overkill personally. u need a large room for it. 5.1 with excellent speakers n sub is awesome. i love shacking crap off my walls.

11-29-2007, 04:59 PM	#19
NoTx Member Member since:May 2007	You know, years ago I had the same question. I went from 5.1 to 7.1, sort of. It was before there were any true 7.1 sources. So it was basically 6.1. Was it worth it? Being I spent over three grand (reciever, speakers, dvd)? Hell yes. More speakers in my book allow lower volume envelopment. You are surrounded by the sound... and the extras you can hear at 6.1 are insanly good. You her things even on older movies that you didn't hear before. Little things... that make everything more real. I had a living room that was SMALLER than the one you are describing. I loved it. Now for my new house, I have just fired off an order for my new Yamaha RX-V1800... so I obviously am putting my money where my mouth is

11-29-2007, 05:20 PM	#20
buckshot Blu-ray Guru Member since:Feb 2007 Location:san die ego Blu-ray reviews:2 Trading Score:9	I can't believe what i'm hearing here. blu ray supporters, we who ask for nothing but the best, and some of you are saying that 7.1 isn't worth it. that's just sad. what's next? advanced audio isn't worth it? its a slippery slop :P 7.1 is amazing. and as more and more movies, and audio formats, come about that support it the better it is. even now with the right receiver it will matrix any signal to 7.1.

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