Is 7.1 ss overkill for a smaller tv room? - Blu-ray Forum

Steelmaker · 07-25-2008, 08:23 PM

My tv room is 16'x11'. Not very big. Would 7.1 even be necessary for a room this size or would 5.1 be plenty?

Pelican170 · 07-25-2008, 08:28 PM

sure, if you can do it, do it. your receiver will calibrate it correctly for the room...

Beta Man · 07-25-2008, 08:28 PM

that's two different questions.....

"overkill" nah... I don't think so... if it's a room where you can properly place the speakers, you'll hear each discrete channel of audio.....

"is 5.1 sufficient" yeah... it sure is... it'll get the job done quite nicely for a room that size...

Have fun!

gearyt · 07-25-2008, 08:28 PM

It's all about the sound stage... more is better

jcarys · 07-25-2008, 08:39 PM

These guys are steering you correctly. 5.1 will handle you fine - most receivers even have virtual rear processing that will make it seem like you have several rear speakers.

However, if you can put the speakers in the right place, 7.1 will give you an even more solid, and coherent soundfield.

The biggest problem you have with a small room is that too large of speakers (or too many) can overload the room. This would create boomy bass or other places in the frequency where the room is either reflecting too much (making it sound harsh or noisy) or resonating in sympathy with the tone (just making it too loud compared to everything around it).

If you're not sure, borrow 2 speakers from a friend and try it with and without.

SAM LN32A650 · 07-26-2008, 08:23 AM

5.1 plenty! save your money

pere · 07-26-2008, 09:13 AM

If you have an acoustic balanced room, no doubt, 7.1 is always better than 5.1.

fronn · 07-28-2008, 03:44 PM

Take the amount you'd spend on a 7.1 setup and use it for a 5.1 setup.

The difference, even in a large room is negligable in most cases as almost every movie is 5.1 to begin with (even the new line 7.1s are actually 5.1). You're better off getting higher quality center and fronts instead.

jomari · 07-28-2008, 06:34 PM

with your room size, id pass. you also have to consider the viewing distance, and how far your surround placement would be

as pere mentioned, acoustics is important in setting up ANY HT setup, may it be 5.1 or 7.1.

but id rather consider placement in this case, to be more important.

as always,
an EXCELLENT 5.1 setup done correctly can bash a mediocre 7.1 setup.

but thats my 2 cents.

07-25-2008, 08:23 PM	#1
Steelmaker Blu-ray Duke Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Chattanooga, TN Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Is 7.1 ss overkill for a smaller tv room? My tv room is 16'x11'. Not very big. Would 7.1 even be necessary for a room this size or would 5.1 be plenty?

Similar Threads
thread	Forum	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Post
RTi A3's overkill?	Speakers	Rike255	1	10-10-2009 05:59 AM
What do you think is OVERKILL?	Home Theater General Discussion	T DUB	17	09-12-2009 01:20 PM
750 watt RMS subwoofer - overkill for 11ft x 17ft room?	Subwoofers	F1tech	28	05-31-2009 01:11 AM
Overkill?	General Chat	dadkins	22	01-12-2009 02:15 PM
Room addition for a dedicated home theatre room...	Blu-ray Technology and Future Technology	Zaphod	5	09-07-2007 02:59 PM

07-25-2008, 08:28 PM	#2
Pelican170 Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Jul 2007 Location:Newtown, CT 4K collection:127 Blu-ray collection:735 DVD collection:256 Trading Score:13	sure, if you can do it, do it. your receiver will calibrate it correctly for the room...

07-25-2008, 08:28 PM	#3
Beta Man Moderator Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Juuuuuuuust A Bit Outside.... Home Theater Gallery:4 Blu-ray collection:268 Blu-ray reviews: 18 Trading Score:25	that's two different questions..... "overkill" nah... I don't think so... if it's a room where you can properly place the speakers, you'll hear each discrete channel of audio..... "is 5.1 sufficient" yeah... it sure is... it'll get the job done quite nicely for a room that size... Have fun!

07-25-2008, 08:28 PM	#4
gearyt Power Member Member since:Aug 2007 Location:Henderson, NV Home Theater Gallery:8 Blu-ray collection:33	It's all about the sound stage... more is better

07-25-2008, 08:39 PM	#5
jcarys Member Member since:Jul 2008	These guys are steering you correctly. 5.1 will handle you fine - most receivers even have virtual rear processing that will make it seem like you have several rear speakers. However, if you can put the speakers in the right place, 7.1 will give you an even more solid, and coherent soundfield. The biggest problem you have with a small room is that too large of speakers (or too many) can overload the room. This would create boomy bass or other places in the frequency where the room is either reflecting too much (making it sound harsh or noisy) or resonating in sympathy with the tone (just making it too loud compared to everything around it). If you're not sure, borrow 2 speakers from a friend and try it with and without.

07-26-2008, 08:23 AM	#6
SAM LN32A650 Banned Member since:Jul 2008	5.1 plenty! save your money

07-26-2008, 09:13 AM	#7
pere Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Location:Catalonia	If you have an acoustic balanced room, no doubt, 7.1 is always better than 5.1.

07-28-2008, 03:44 PM	#8
fronn Expert Member Member since:Sep 2007 Location:St. Paul, Minnesota Blu-ray collection:- DVD collection:- Blu-ray reviews:1	Take the amount you'd spend on a 7.1 setup and use it for a 5.1 setup. The difference, even in a large room is negligable in most cases as almost every movie is 5.1 to begin with (even the new line 7.1s are actually 5.1). You're better off getting higher quality center and fronts instead.

07-28-2008, 06:34 PM	#9
jomari Moderator Top contributor Member since:Nov 2007 Home Theater Gallery:18 Blu-ray reviews: 2 Trading Score:2	with your room size, id pass. you also have to consider the viewing distance, and how far your surround placement would be as pere mentioned, acoustics is important in setting up ANY HT setup, may it be 5.1 or 7.1. but id rather consider placement in this case, to be more important. as always, an EXCELLENT 5.1 setup done correctly can bash a mediocre 7.1 setup. but thats my 2 cents.

Best Blu-ray Movie Deals