DTS-HD MA & Dolby TrueHD encodings and towers as rear/side surrounds WORTH IT OR NOT?

[ge11ings]

Hello. Looking for advice on surrounds with newer DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD encoding. These encodings can handle up to 7.1, but majority of blu-rays are 5.1 using these encodings of which side/rear surrounds would be same sound.

Question is, would any benefit be gained from having towers (floorstanding speakers) as side or rear surrounds, or would it make more sense to stick with bookshelf and surround speakers?

I'm contemplating the following setups:

#1 (my current setup)
fronts: polk RTi10s
center: polk CSi5
side surrounds: polk FXi5s
rear surrounds: polk RTi6s

#2
fronts: polk RTi12s
center: polk CSi5
side surrounds: polk FXi5s
rear surrounds: polk RTi10s

#3
fronts: polk RTi10s
center: polk CSi5
side surrounds: polk FXi5s
rear surrounds: polk RTi8s

Don't have a sub yet. I'm thinking #2 or #3 would provide benefit as they are better speakers as rear surrounds. But what does everyone else seriously think?

Again, I'm considering the setup with the new DTS-HD MA and Dolby TrueHD encodings and am wondering if #2 or #3 above would provide any benefit.

-Thanks

[ge11ings]

Also, if a sub was thrown into the mix and since bass isn't directional, really would the extension of the extra bass from the rears make a whole lot of difference?

[candjhuntley]

Also, if a sub was thrown into the mix and since bass isn't directional, really would the extension of the extra bass from the rears make a whole lot of difference?

For primarily HT usage - you don't need the extra bass from the surrounds as much as you need a separate sub. Are you happy with your 10s as fronts? If so, i would stick with your current setup and start shopping for a quality sub.

What is causing you to consider upgrading? Are you not liking the sound? Is it simply the bass that's missing?

[ge11ings]

For primarily HT usage - you don't need the extra bass from the surrounds as much as you need a separate sub. Are you happy with your 10s as fronts? If so, i would stick with your current setup and start shopping for a quality sub.

What is causing you to consider upgrading? Are you not liking the sound? Is it simply the bass that's missing?

The guys at avs forum are saying pretty much the same thing. "Buy a good sub first." I was considering upgrading as was going to take one pair of my existing speakers and put upstairs for periodic music listening (for the wife primarily). The new ones would fill the previous spot. I definitely like the sound. I don't think the bass is missing at all. Sounds like bass would be the only reason to upgrade the surrounds to towers? What about the fact that the RTi8s and 12s have 2 mid/woofer and 2 midrange drivers? Would that be worth it?

[ge11ings]

Should also mention guys at avsforum said more bass will come from side surrounds than rear. So maybe the towers should be on the sides and FXi5s rear? That however conflicts with THX's recommendation. Thoughts on that too?

http://www.thx.com/home/setup/speakers/71.html

[ge11ings]

And would it make more sense to have RTi6s instead of FXi5s on sides considering more sound comes from sides? I also noticed FXi5s can handle up to 150 watts, so if more sound comes from the sides and since I have a 130/channel AVR, possibly the FXi5s should go on the sides anyways for safety. Thoughts?

[danger boy]

your current set of speakers is fine.. I would not change anything. just get a subwoofer and call it good.

adding larger surrounds isn't going to give you deeper surround sound... adding a subwoofer will.

realize that surround speakers don't put as as much sound as your fronts or your center does.. so having larger floor standing surrounds or side surrounds is over kill.

[Menasor]

+1 on the sub

[Dawgfish]

For home theater, I would have to agree with what the others are saying, get a good sub (or two). This will easily give you the greatest improvement in your current system.

Having said that there are some situations where having towers as sorrounds and rear sorrounds is advantageous. I am running RTi 12s as my fronts, RTi 10s as my sorrounds, and RTi 8s as my rear sorrounds. All of my speakers are being powered from seperate amplifiers (not from the AVR) and it sounds awesome! I am actually one of those weird people who enjoys listening to music in 7 channel stereo sometimes. I prefer two channel most of the time, but I also like the 7 channel also. When I'm listening to two or 7 channel stereo, I turn my crossover setting down to 40 HZ and let the speakers run mostly full range. A lot of the time, I turn my subs off alltogether. Running towers as sorrounds and rear sorrounds in this situation is advantageous. In normal home theater situations however, the towers are kind of overkill (but I like overkill!).

[vijayl]

DF, I like the way u put it.I used to run Monitor 50 as Fronts and Side Surrounds and the effect was fantastic for HT. After I got RTi8s as Fronts and keeping Mon50s as surrounds, I really miss that punch. I wud luv to experience ur setup, ff u were near me

[ge11ings]

Thanks guys. All your comments help. For now I'll focus on getting a good sub. :)

[Dawgfish]

Vijayl,

Thanks for the kind words. If you ever make it out to coastal GA, or the Jacksonville FL area, my door is always open.

I have been running my RTi12s biamped the last month or so with approximately 500 watts/channel going to them. Running them this way with the crossover set at 40 HZ, the bass and overall response has been amazing, I don't even really need a sub 90% of the time now. When I do turn them on while watching something like the Band of Brother Blue Rays or Iron Man, the impact with the two DSW 600 subs and all of the towers is like having someone punch you in the chest. I'm happy to say it's all tight and controlled also. I am very pleased with the results to say the least.