6.1 Surround?

[myoung84]

So I finally decided on what I wanted to buy for my living room upgrade and all of it should be here today and tomorrow. However, I have a couple of questions. I went ahead and spent a little more on the receiver to get the 7.1 model, however, my living room set up makes it impossible to do 7.1 easily since everything is set up at an angle. My rear speakers are technically on the sides rather than behind the couch. I have a great place to put a single speaker about 5' behind the center of the couch. Would this be a worthwhile upgrade? I am thinking of buying a single Monitor30 for this setup.

Pioneer VSX-921
Polk Series II Monitor50 front
Polk Series II CS1 center
Polk Series II Monitor30 rear
Polk PSW-111 sub

[Joe08867]

I have used a 6.1 setup for the last 7-8yrs. It is the only set up besides 5.1 that works and it makes a difference.

6.1 is much better than 5.1 IMHO.

[bansheesho]

I will have an extra center channel speaker after I get my q600 .... I was thinking of using that to set up a 6.1 too. I really don't want to have to move the speaker mounts and wiring from the rear though.... Would it make any sense or any improvements to have the rear 3 speakers at roughly the same distance back, but the rear channels would be up closer to the ceiling and angled down and the center would be at ear heighth or slightly higher on a stand or table that is butted up to the railing...

some pictures to get an idea... there has been some changes to the front including the placment of the reciever (off to the side) and the front speakers to kef q900. Also, the love seat has been pulled foward and the walkway is now behind the loveseat. (Also the funky ceiling paint was fixed and the wires hidden and the shelves returned to the bookcase.)

[rooftop59]

I just added a rear center and I do think that 6.1 makes a difference. Just fills everything in nicely. To the op, have you thought about in ceilings for your surrounds? That way u could go with 7.1. I really like my klipsch in ceilings, and vanns has Some open box pairs for real cheap.

[myoung84]

Ceiling mounts are not feasible either. It's a 2 story house and the only way I could access the ceiling to run wires would be to pull up carpet upstairs and start cutting holes in the floor.... Don't think the wife would go for that one. LOL. I think I'll just run with 6.1 and be happy.

[jbooker82]

Most 7.1, are really a 6.1 with dual rear speakers. That is why they are supose to be placed close together in the center.

[txcoastal1]

Most 7.1, are really a 6.1 with dual rear speakers. That is why they are supose to be placed close together in the center.

Not really
Front and rear centers, 2-fronts and 2 surrounds= 6.1

[jbooker82]

Not really
Front and rear centers, 2-fronts and 2 surrounds= 6.1

With most 7.1 sound tracks the rear suround sound track is a mono track. Sound equally plays out of the rear speakers. That is why they are to be placed close together and in the center of the room. I wasn't really talking about the phisyical number of speakers.