What is everyones opinion on multichannel theater, more channels the better? I am going to start putting one together once CES is done with, and I am on the fence between 5.1 and 7.1...Is there really that much difference? I haven't found a 7.1 theater to demo yet, so I thought I'd ask here.

I currently have a 5.1 system and will be moving to a 7.1 soon. What I have learned is that dvd sound tracks are all encoded with 5.1 so if you have a 7.1 system the extra 2 speakers are an enhancement to the rear channels. So you would have 2 fronts, centre 4 rear surrounds and a sub.

Hope this helps some [img]graemlins/beer.gif[/img]

also I guess you could add 6.1 dts to this which would add a rear centre channel

[ January 02, 2005, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Mullen ]

If you get anything get at least the DTS 6.1 setup, that way ur set for DTS movies anyway that come in 6.1.

Depends on the size of the room.

In a smaller sized room, 5.1 can and probably will sound better then a 6.1/7.1 system.

And if you have a room large enough for 6.1/7.1 then just do 7.1... 7.1 creates a better rear surround effect then the single rear center channel of the 6.1's.. Hell if your rooms big enough, 7.2 is the way [img]tongue.gif[/img] .

[ January 02, 2005, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: chev2 ]

I've never seen any 7.1 DVD's. There is some 6 ch DTS tracks sometimes. I think 5.1 is sufficent for most movies, but I'm not a hardcore home theatre guy anyways. But it's got to be DTS.

Thats cause there isnt. If you look at 7.1 recievers and look at the decoding section it will only go up to 6.1 DTS. The 2 rear surrounds in a 7.1 speaker system are essentially mono and playing the same thing. But the added speaker and distance in a 7.1 system can create a better rear surround illusion then a 6.1 system in larger rooms.

7.1 will only work if you have the size and correct spacing for proper speaker placement. Not sure if all receivers can do 5.1 and 7.1, I think it's just 7.1.......................I know some of the ones I have been looking at are only 7.1............

^ tim, which recievers?

Generally all recievers are "backwards" compatible.. Even to the old pro-logic etc days of VCRS. Most have formats to enhance the old formats to 5.1/6.1 channels of today.

[ January 02, 2005, 08:28 PM: Message edited by: chev2 ]

The new HK one coming out this year is supposed to be only 7.1

I'd prefer a nice 2channel system to the weenky deenky 'system in a box' 7.1 setups I've seen lately [img]graemlins/puke.gif[/img]