Upgrading 2nd Home Theater - Should I go 7.1? - Blu-ray Forum

DFWHD · 01-05-2009, 11:09 AM

A couple of years ago when we bought our home, we dropped about $8K put in a decent 5.1 home theater setup in our main family room (52" LCD, AVR, Blu-Ray & speakers). At that time I took my old 5.1 gear and put it upstairs in the game room for the kids. Since then, I've slowly upgraded the game room TV to a 61" DLP and then upgraded the receiver to a Pioneer VSX-92TXH AV receiver capable of 7.1 surround since that room now had the bigger screen. Now it is time to upgrade the old speakers and I'm trying to decide if Blu-Ray has enough 7.1 offerings to justify adding the 2 additional speakers. I'm trying to do this under the radar since we just did the family room theater in 2007, so if I can save the cost of the two additional speakers for now, I'd like to. I'm also wondering if I'd notice the difference since in sound since the room is only 12 x 15. I appreciate any feedback.

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 11:22 AM

Personally I'd say.. save your money OR put the money towards a better 5.1 setup. My room has approximately the same dimensions as yours and I don't feel the need to go to 7.1, but that's me. In fact, my speakers produce excellent bass and I'm currently just running a 5.0 setup. And the sound is still amazing!

AlabamaBoy · 01-05-2009, 11:27 AM

Agreed, save your money. I went from a 5.1 to 7.1 and have been underwhelmed. 7.1 offerings are few and far between. If your seating position is against the back wall, I would certainly stick with 5.1.

Johnny Vinyl · 01-05-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlabamaBoy

Agreed, save your money. I went from a 5.1 to 7.1 and have been underwhelmed. 7.1 offerings are few and far between. If your seating position is against the back wall, I would certainly stick with 5.1.

And if indeed that is the setup...I think a 6.1 setup could show a slight enhancement. I know that's a bit contradictory from what I posted earlier, but it is something I've thought about employing myself.

callas01 · 01-05-2009, 03:16 PM

The way my living room is, and its similar in size to yours, I don't sit against a wall, I had a 5.1 and so there was one speaker to the right and one right behind me, I switched it up a little and put one between where me and my wife usually sit, and one off to the left (6.1), It was nice because it improved the sound field. I did have to put it into a matrixing mode, otherwise if I just left it on AFD, no sound came out of the surround back since most movies are 5.1.

DFWHD · 01-06-2009, 10:57 AM

My seating is against the back wall, so it sounds like 5.1 is most likely the best thing to stick with for now. This actually works out well, as I can dedicate all the budget to those speakers. I received a pair of Def tech pro monitor 800s for Xmas. I may use those for rears and look at some Polks for the front. Or maybe return the Def Techs and go Polks all the way around. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for the input!

crazyBLUE · 01-06-2009, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DFWHD

My seating is against the back wall, so it sounds like 5.1 is most likely the best thing to stick with for now. This actually works out well, as I can dedicate all the budget to those speakers. I received a pair of Def tech pro monitor 800s for Xmas. I may use those for rears and look at some Polks for the front. Or maybe return the Def Techs and go Polks all the way around. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for the input!

As long as you're front 3 speaker's match , you'll be good to go !!

01-05-2009, 11:09 AM	#1
DFWHD Member Member since:Feb 2008	Upgrading 2nd Home Theater - Should I go 7.1? A couple of years ago when we bought our home, we dropped about $8K put in a decent 5.1 home theater setup in our main family room (52" LCD, AVR, Blu-Ray & speakers). At that time I took my old 5.1 gear and put it upstairs in the game room for the kids. Since then, I've slowly upgraded the game room TV to a 61" DLP and then upgraded the receiver to a Pioneer VSX-92TXH AV receiver capable of 7.1 surround since that room now had the bigger screen. Now it is time to upgrade the old speakers and I'm trying to decide if Blu-Ray has enough 7.1 offerings to justify adding the 2 additional speakers. I'm trying to do this under the radar since we just did the family room theater in 2007, so if I can save the cost of the two additional speakers for now, I'd like to. I'm also wondering if I'd notice the difference since in sound since the room is only 12 x 15. I appreciate any feedback.

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
Klipsch HD Theater 500 Home Theater System??	Speakers	abercrombie9701	3	04-02-2009 10:56 PM
How do set up my home theater system in this home?	Home Theater General Discussion	mugupo	7	03-29-2009 05:11 PM
Upgrading home theatre questions	Home Theater General Discussion	ElCaballero	8	03-13-2009 08:34 PM
Upgrading Home Theatre Trouble	Home Theater General Discussion	SlasherVXII	3	02-15-2009 06:25 PM
Warner Hits another Home Run! (2nd wave)	Blu-ray Movies - North America	BTBuck1	3	09-07-2006 05:57 AM

01-05-2009, 11:22 AM	#2
Johnny Vinyl Moderator Top ranked HT gallery Top contributor Member since:Jul 2007 Location:At the crossroad of Analogue Dr & 2CH Ave Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:205 DVD collection:7 Blu-ray reviews:3 Trading Score:8	Personally I'd say.. save your money OR put the money towards a better 5.1 setup. My room has approximately the same dimensions as yours and I don't feel the need to go to 7.1, but that's me. In fact, my speakers produce excellent bass and I'm currently just running a 5.0 setup. And the sound is still amazing!

01-05-2009, 11:27 AM	#3
AlabamaBoy Active Member Member since:Dec 2008 Home Theater Gallery:1	Agreed, save your money. I went from a 5.1 to 7.1 and have been underwhelmed. 7.1 offerings are few and far between. If your seating position is against the back wall, I would certainly stick with 5.1.

01-05-2009, 03:16 PM	#5
callas01 Blu-ray Prince Top contributor Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Riverside, CA Home Theater Gallery:42 Blu-ray collection:230 DVD collection:47	The way my living room is, and its similar in size to yours, I don't sit against a wall, I had a 5.1 and so there was one speaker to the right and one right behind me, I switched it up a little and put one between where me and my wife usually sit, and one off to the left (6.1), It was nice because it improved the sound field. I did have to put it into a matrixing mode, otherwise if I just left it on AFD, no sound came out of the surround back since most movies are 5.1.

01-06-2009, 10:57 AM	#6
DFWHD Member Member since:Feb 2008	My seating is against the back wall, so it sounds like 5.1 is most likely the best thing to stick with for now. This actually works out well, as I can dedicate all the budget to those speakers. I received a pair of Def tech pro monitor 800s for Xmas. I may use those for rears and look at some Polks for the front. Or maybe return the Def Techs and go Polks all the way around. Decisions, decisions... Thanks for the input!

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals