Comments on: Do you use all seven channels on your home theater receiver?

Seven channels are probably at least two too many for you. The nebulous "feature" is just another example of feature glut.

[cheinonen]

I use the rear channels of the amp in my receiver to bi-amp my front channels. I imagine 90% or more of people don't use the rear channels, but at least being able to use them to bi-amp the front means they don't sit there doing nothing, despite paying for them. I really prefer the path that Rotel took with their recent mid-range receiver: It's 7.1, but only includes 5 channels of amplification. 95% of people will be happy with that as they are probably only running 5 channels, or have an amp for either the front or rear channels already. Most people aren't paying for a feature they won't use, and with the extra room/money, they can make the amp for the main 5 channels better than it would otherwise be.

[manilow2k6]

Why 'bi-amp' front speakers with the SB channels? The SBs is where the action really is----when I'm watching an action packed film like "Live Free or Die Hard", using the SBs add so much to the surround experience of a movie like that----I recently upgraded my blu-ray player to the Sony BDP-S550---This player decodes the HD audio codecs thru the multianalog connections (8)---especially great for 'older' receivers which cannot decode these sounds thru 'bitstream'----have a Pioneer 7.1 THX Select 2---it is true, especially with blu-ray discs encoded with the 5.1 HD sounds, that the SBs are not used in their 'normal' setting---but, when I switch them to the 'bi-amp' setting, the SBs are working to their fullest potential of great sound effects----thus, bi-amp the SBs (the setting only) to get the full 7.1 experience in HD sounds---it works for me and I'm really enjoying it!

[MiKeyes]

I'm afraid this doesn't make much sense. A 5.1 system requires 6 channels of amplification (front left, front right, rear left, rear right, center and subwoofer). A 7.1 system requires 8, the additional two being used, of course, for the left and right side channels. I don't know of any receiver or amp with 5 channels. The only use I could envision for 5 channels would be a 2.1 setup in one room plus a stereo pair in another room (without subwoofer). Also, how would you bi-amp? It's not just a simple matter of wiring front and rear speaker outputs together. They have totally different content! You've apparently never actually heard surround sound, at least not on your own system. Good luck.

[enovikoff]

MiKeyes: you're thinking receiver, and Steve's thinking preprocessor/amplifier. Higher-end receivers don't include amplification for the subwoofer channel since it's best done in a powered sub anyway, so they have only the X in X.Y channel sound for amplified channel count. So for 7.1 sound, they only have 7 channels of amplification. What's interesting is that some receiver manufacturers allow you to decouple the amplification from the preamp section so you can mix and match to suit your needs.

[chefmitch]

I am running 7.1.

If people ask, I tell them 5.1 is the sweet spot. Run 7.1 if you like gear/gadgets.

[chefmitch]

In fact, the more I think about it, I have never seen another 7.1 setup (in person). I have seen 5.1 + Zone 2 many times.

[chrkeller]

I have the ability and money to run 7.1, if I wanted too. However I am at this point only setup for 5.1. My theater room isn't big enough to warrant upgrading. I don't think it would make a difference. Plus how many things are actually encoded in 7.1? Games are not, not sure about BR movies.

[traxx09]

Yeah, there's only a handful of movies actually encoded in 7.1. So 99% of the time the two extra speakers are just repeating information instead of giving you discrete information. You won't be able to tell much difference.

[TimAPhillips]

I use my Sony all-in-one 5.1 fully. Except I like to use all the speakers at once so it's louder when I watch TV and play video games. With my couch on the wall, my surround speakers don't add much depth.

[wusupjohn]

I would love to get a 7.1 system although I don't think it would work in my apartment's 10' x 17' living room. For now I'll stick with my 2.1.

[pubmat]

5.1. Anything else is a waste of time, and saps amplifier power as well.

[shopkins82]

Bi-amping using multiple channels of the same amplifier is snake-oil and actually decreases the power-supply's headroom with no improvement in power output (measured or theoretical) or sound quality. Unless you're actively bi-amping with an electronic crossover, you're probably doing more harm than good.

I'm also in the 5.1 camp more because of speaker placement issues in a room with seating against the rear wall... if I had the space, I'd probably implement 7.1, but would only let the rear speakers engage for 6.1 and 7.1 encoded material. Matrix decoding of 5.1 source material to 7.1 is also snake-oil that likely does more harm than good to the rear sound-stage.

[McDaygo]

I don't notice too much difference between 5.1 and 7.1. I'm not a big fan of having speakers everywhere as well. I'm happy with 5.1 Onkyo system and even my 2.1 Samsung.

[dguliano]

Would have liked to set mine up as a 7.1, but as in the article, don't have the space for the two rear speakers. However, the system has the capability of operating as a 6.1 (with a single rear speaker) so we set it up like that. In addition, because the system self adjusts for the room (using supplied equipment) it runs great.

[TXinD76121]

I have the best setup imaginable. A company near where I live maintains an ENORMOUS screen in a dedicated building with state of the art audio and lets me view selected movies for only ten bucks a crack, give or take. A bit more if I want popcorn, which they thoughtfully provide. It's an ideal arrangement, in my opinion. I have zero complaint.

[gagnon77]

Yeah, I think I know that place. Isn't that the place where the sound is dangerously loud and you have no control on it, where the audience keeps talking during the presentation and where you have to watch 30 minutes of previews before the actual movie ? Meh, I stopped going there.

[ShadowIce012]

alll those things... but you missed the one that made me stop going to "those places". Jerks text messaging their friends in the same theatre. All these stupid lights showing up as people open their cell phones. Talk about no being able to concentrate for a couple of hours at a movie.

[He_brewHammer]

I have 7.1 setup in my living room. The only time it is used is when I'm watching a blu-ray movie with 7.1 or playing the wii and putting the sound on 7ch stereo. I wish the Denon 3808 would take a 5.1 signal and at least just replicate the rear two channels onto the sixth and seventh. That just seems like a no brainer. Isn't that what Dolby Pro Logic does? Take a two channel signal and mix it into 5.

[yahoo!!!]

instead of using 7ch channel stereo on your wii use dolby pro logicx.

[Yukstin]

I have used 7.1 since 2003. While not much has taken advantage of it over the years I have always had those speakers hooked up. Now as Blu-Ray has 7.1 tracks I'm definitely getting more use out of them!

[stigmattaman]

I loved you in the Police Academy films!

[fcamp99]

7.1 is incredible with PS3 games and bluray movies. If the receiver is tuned right you will hear all of the channels

[dano_48]

I have used an Onkyo 6.1 set-up for over five years. I hear it and love it. My new receiver is on order and is 7.1, but I just don't have the space to set for 7.1. I'll continue with 6.1, which seems to be the case for many folks.

[dalelaurd]

With over 10' of space behind the seating in my theater room, the rear channels of 7.1 make a noticeable difference.

[nickmanc86]

I use 7.1 for my PC gaming and it certainly has an impact over 5.1 in that aspect but as for home theater use I rarely if ever notice. Even when I do notice it is certainly not a deal breaker.

[toddnothingclever]

I don't have the space to put my couch in the middle of the room. I'll stick with 5.1, I use bipolar surrounds and I am very happy with what I have. Plus, I haven't even come across a 7.1 track blu-ray as of yet.

[wavjockey]

Yes, I use all 7 channels in my home theater.
Next question...