1st Post Need Help w/ 7.1 Vs 5.1 setup

[Redrum-Det]

Greetings from the Windy City! I have been lurking through this site trying to get some info but thought I should just come out and ask for help.
I am redoing a basement and have my wifes' blessing (very important for peace) to get a decent entertainment set.
I visited a very nice electronic store in the northern subs. Since I wasn't spending 30 or 50K (I'm not wealthy) they didn't really spend to much time with me. I hit the local Best Buy and the kid tried hard to sell me a whole box system. I went to a different Best Buy. The service was a little better, except that the guy was a diehard Bose fan. But he did let me hear others, which is where I heard Polk Audio. Then I started searching on the internet and here I am...

I am looking at a small area, a rectangle 10 x 18. I am still stuck between 7.1 and 5.1. The T.V. will be a 46"LCD, maybe Samsung. I am leaning on an ONKYO TXSR804B. Side and rear speaker will be RC80i in the ceilling. But I'm not sure on the front. I went to a FRYS and was looking at Monitor 60 on the front and CSi5 for the center with a Velodyne subwoofer. Any opinions or thought on this set up will be greatly appreciated, especially 5.1 vs 7.1. My thought is that I am going to be in this house for at least twenty years and getting the 7.1 will allow me to grow with the tech. Thanks!

[Ricardo]

Welcome to the forum; a few questions to help provide the best recommendations:

-Music, movies or both?
-Where will your couch be located; in the middle of the room, right by the back wall?
-And more important...what's your budget?

[Redrum-Det]

Thanks for the response.
1. Music and movies
2. Two chair in front of screen about 2/3 of the way from front to back
3. $2500 for sounds - $3000 for screen.

[Ricardo]

ok; I should have asked also if you would be willing to buy used; many of us here have built our systems solely using the used market; wher your dollar can be stretched and you get more for the same amount. Audiogon.com or the flea market here, have well cared for speakers/electronics. Ebay could be an option but risk is higher in this type of products.

I will assume you want to buy new.

I don't know the appropriate match for the RC80i (Someone here will), but being them surrounds timber match is not really critical, as it is for the front stage; you are selecting the fronts from the Monitor line, and the center from the RTi line; this is not a good idea. You should pick with the Monitor 60's the CS2, or go with the RTI line and pick the CSi5 with the RTi8's. These would be a good choice for floorstanders.
For your setup, having a 7.1 system will provide benefits, since you will be away from the back wall. I have no experience with in-ceiling speakers....I would probably choose to at least put the side surrounds in the walls, but that's just because that's all I've seen/done.
For these speakers a decent receiver will do; Onkyo, Denon and Harman KArdon seem to be the preferred brands; you'll want to get close to the 100WPC, and with pre-outs so that if you decide to add an external amp you'll be ready.

For the sub, the majority here would recommend SVS; they are IMO the best bang for the money, but Velodyne are also good.

Someone else will probably chime in with other suggestions.

Good luck.

[Bill Ayotte]

I agree on the used equipment suggestion. I have made my whole HT from used gear, and on the cheap, compared to what this stuff cost new.
My HT:
Samsung 50" dlp 1080i open box $1000
Sunfire TGP 1 Ebay $800 shipped
(3) Carver M400t amps Ebay $200, $225, $150
Marantz DV-8300 Ebay $350 shipped
Sunfire super junior sub, sealed in box Ebay $500 shipped
Tannoy PBM-8 monitors (rear) Ebay $175 shipped
Tannoy System 8 monitors (front) Ebay $300 shipped
B&W series 600i speakers (center(s)) Pawn shop in MN $75
It took me the better part of a year (mostly while I was in Iraq) to get the deals I found, with the B&W's being a dumb luck find while hungover. The main thing with ebay I have found is you really need to watch a lot of items closely. You get the best deals when the market there is flooded or right after, when the frenzy stops. Good luck.

[daboyz]

Lets not forget the wires. If you're running through walls make sure your wire is rated for in-wall use. Just used a bunch of Belden 5000 12 gauge from Blue Jeans Cable for my brothers whole house and my basement and was very happy. At .38/ft. I felt it was a great deal. Don't buy your cable at the stores, cheaper online at places like Blue Jeans or Accessories4less.com. Also, shop for your speakers. Audition them, find the ones YOU like and go get 'em. I'm not the expert like the others here, just hanging around and learning as I go. Hope this helps.