5.1 or 7.1

[Stockinv]

I'm in the process of installing a 5.1 system. Should the smaller speakers go on the sidewalls or on the rear walls? Should I wire for an eventual 7.1 system?

[aud19]

For placement, it depends on your room/layout etc. Check out the Dolby website for speaker placement recommendations

As for wiring for additional speakers hell yes, you may even want to peruse information on upcoming surround formats to possibly prewire for beyond 7.1 (9.1, 10.2 etc...). For a few extra bucks in speaker wire you can end up saving a LOT of trouble and effort down the line too. Also look at running conduit for future video cables and power for a projector etc

[Azeke]

Sound advice Jason :T .

Regards,

Azeke

[aud19]

"Sound" advice :rofl: :rofl:

[Brahma]

I recently looked into this myself, and what I found is 5.1 won't be around for much longer and 7.1 is really the minimum standard for new set-ups.

With regard to speaker placement it is different for 5.1 and 7.1, it's not just a matter of 2 additional speakers.

IMO the best placement for 5.1 is behind and in the corners, even if the Dolby literature states otherwise.

[csuzor]

5.1 won't be around for much longer and 7.1 is really the minimum standard for new set-ups.

Hmmm... that is a radical statement. For multi-channel music now and in the future, 5 full range speakers is a wiser investment than spreading the same money on 7 speakers and amps. No-one serious is talking about 7.1 for music. For movies, the center channel should be the best you can afford, and the surrounds can be smaller than fronts. The choice of 7 channels capability is for the future, but not worth the investment today (relative to spending the money on other components). imho.

[Brahma]

Hmmm... that is a radical statement. For multi-channel music now and in the future, 5 full range speakers is a wiser investment than spreading the same money on 7 speakers and amps. No-one serious is talking about 7.1 for music. For movies, the center channel should be the best you can afford, and the surrounds can be smaller than fronts. The choice of 7 channels capability is for the future, but not worth the investment today (relative to spending the money on other components). imho.

The comment was WRT theater not music.

[jimmyp58]

We just finished wiring a customer's HT Room. I truly insisted he wire for 7.1 though he only had a 5.1 receiver at present. He declined my request. The HT was in his basement and instead of installing a drop-ceiling, he decided to drywall it. That is why I insisted on it. Not that it is impossible to fish cable with drywall present but it is much more difficult. Sensing how this customer has been throughout the process, I had him sign a waiver to protect myself as I could see down the road as he replaced his current receiver with a 7.1 (or even more) that he'd come back to me complaining (or worse, suing me)that he can't pull cable for 7.1.

Without hesitation, I'd do the 7.1 as it only makes sense.

[Stockinv]

Wiring for a 7.1 system

The construction of my room prevents me from putting speakers on the side-walls. I am able to put them just above the side walls on the cathedral ceiling. Would this be an acceptable alternative to side wall speakers?
Would you make those speakers dipole? The room is about 19 feet deep and open at the end.

[Brahma]

Check out this link: http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/...rtificatio.php

7.1 speaker placement is not just adding two additional speakers to 5.1, the configuration is different in each case.

[JetFlyGuy]

I truly believe that at present a well thought out 5.1 system will easily outperform a 7.1 system that it forced into the same budget. I can't see the furture, but quality implementation of existing formats almost always trumps haphazrdly construed upgrades

[aud19]

I truly believe that at present a well thought out 5.1 system will easily outperform a 7.1 system that it forced into the same budget. I can't see the furture, but quality implementation of existing formats almost always trumps haphazrdly construed upgrades

I totally agree, a good 5.1 system will always be better than an "ok" 7.1 system. However, that wasn't really the question... Stockinv was asking if they should prewire for 7.1 (while the walls are open I'd assume). Wiring to help futureproofing is never a bad idea, just make sure you don't spend all your money on wire so you have lot's left for a good 5.1 system that's easily upgradeable down the line to 7.1...and beyond

[Snap]

I definatly agree with Jimmy. Run the wires. Just do a "zig-zag" in between the 2 studs so that you can get to the wires later on if you want to add the 7.1. Just tack it "VERY LOOSELY" so that you can pull the wire out should you add the other speakers. But with speaker wire not breaking the bank as far as money goes, run the extra wire just to make like easy for you in the future.

I ran wire for a rear center chan a couple of jobs ago, even though the customer did not have a rear center yet. But at least he has it wired if he wants to add it.

Edit: Depending on the slope of your cathedral celing. I have seen surrounds placed in the celing and they worked out nice. They just happen to aim right towards the listening spot perfect. So not only did they sound nice but they looked nice as well. :T