Receivers

clkings

Need some advice:

I am working on my HT system. When I built my house I wired it for 6.1 because at the time 7.1 wasn't available.

I just went to CC to shop receivers. The salesman informed me that now with 7.1 out there 6.1 is going to be overlooked. This isn't really a big deal to me and it makes sense. I was going to purchase a 7.1 receiver since it is eventually coming. He said with a 7.1 receiver I could not have my rear center channel. Makes sense too. I asked why I couldn't wire up my rear center to one of the side surround inputs. He said that this could potentially ruin my receiver? Any advice on this? Should I buy a 7.1 receiver and just run 5.1 with it and forget about the rear center speaker for any use?

Thanks for your advice.

clkings

One more question. How many watts should I look for per channel. The receiver I was looking at was an Onkyo TX 602 I think with 85 watts per channel

RobXant

Why don't you just use one rear speaker on one of the rear speaker outputs? You won't harm anything.
As far as the power question, you should explain how large your room is. I think most folks here will agree that 80-120 watts-per-channel would be good for a normalish (12x16) room. But, more data about your room and listening habits might lead to better advice.
FWIW- I have a 7.1 receiver that I run in 5.1 and can't say that I wonder where the other 2 channels are...

Early B.

I asked why I couldn't wire up my rear center to one of the side surround inputs. He said that this could potentially ruin my receiver?

The salesman doesn't know what he's talking about.

Anyway, most decent receivers today are 7.1 anyway, so that's what you'll probably end up purchasing. Whether you decide to go for 5.1, 6.1, or 7.1 is a matter of personal preference. At one point, I had a 7.1 setup, but decided that 5.1 actually sounded better. Some fellas on this forum even prefer 2.1 setups. Also depends on the size of your room. If you have a "typical size" living room or den, 5.1 is sufficient.

clkings

I assumed he didn't know what he was talking about and that is why I wanted to ask.

The room is 20 x 25. The room is hard wired for 3 in wall speakers on the rear. I am using towers for front and a CAi30 for center. The front is hard wired too but in walls won't cut it there.

So on a 7.1 receiver I could wire the 3 rear speakers to L & R rear and one to one of the other two surround hookups? and just not have a center rear hookup and be fine?

TheReaper

On an Onkyo TXSR702 or TXSR602

Rcvr Surround Left -> Left rear speaker
Rcvr Surround Right -> Right rear speaker
Rcvr Surround Back Left -> center rear speaker

Then in speaker settings, set the Surround Back to 1ch (1 speaker).

RobXant

be careful with your nomenclature. I think you are confusing the surrounds with the rears.

5.1 is Front L, Front R, (Front) Center, Surround L, Surround R

7.1 is actually adding Rear Left and Rear Right.

I was suggesting that you just hook up your existing rear center speaker to either the Rear Left or Rear Right channel, as my Yammie lets me choose one or two rear speakers.

That's a pretty large room. If it's simple, meaning no high/cathedral ceilings and kneewalls...I'd get as much power as you can afford if you like to listen to your music and movies loud. I think you'll be looking for 100+ watts with no question. Just make sure whatever you decide on that it sounds good. More power doesn't mean it will sound better, just louder. You might find a good sounding, moderately powered amp sounds better and won't need to be as loud as a poorly made powerhouse amp.

clkings

Will the 602 be powerful enough for my room? Is Onkyo good? Harman Kardon? If Onkyo would I be better off spending the little extra and getting the 702? The Onkyo remote seems user friendly. I like that the HK has the built in mike in the remote.

Teejai

Don't shop watts per channel alone. It means very little as the numbers can be easily manipulated. 50 good watts per channel (high current) are better than many 100 per channel.

BTW, with a 7.1 surround receiver you don't NEED to use all channels. You can very easily do 5.1 and 6.1...not to mention most media is still only using 5.1.