5.1 or 7.1 speaker question

Polkaroo

Hello everyone, After reading these posts, I'm thinking that there is no point going 7.1 in a room thats only 12' x 16'. I have the RTIA7 for the front, a CSIA6 for the center, and the PSW505 for the sub. If I went 5.1 would I be better off with somthing like the RTIA bookshelf speakers for the rears? Or would the FXIA6 surrounds be better for that? All the recievers I want seem to be 7.1. Should I just get one of those in case I want to upgrade later to 7.1? The 5.1 recievers seem to be on their way out....Do you think a room this size could accept 7.1? Or would it be a waste...

engtaz

7.1 is great. Don't fight it, give into the surround. LOL

Have fun and enjoy,
engtaz

avguytx

I would do it if you can physically get the speakers to fit. Otherwise, it's completely personal.

MHayes

Polkaroo, I see you have the RTi A7s. What are your thoughts on them? I haven't had the pleasure of listening to them and comparing against the RTi10s, so I'd love to hear your impressions. These speakers are at the top of my interest list right now.

Polkaroo

Yeah well I tried to get the RTI10's in my area for 200 cheaper than the A7's,but they were all sold out. I'm afraid I,ve never even seen or heard the 10's to compare them to, and also, it may be a month at least before I get a new reciever for them. But, I did demo the RTIA5's, and they blew me away, so I had to jump on the A7's for $899 at Future Shop. That said, I could tell right away the fit and finish, the wood, metal feet, just so solid and high quality,I'm sure they will sound fantastic! Can't keep my hands off them really....

Early B.

In a 12' x 16' room, there's no point going 7.1. Don't believe the hype. Save your money.

Polkaroo

Thats what I belive. I'll probably get a 7.1 reciever anyway cause their seems to be way more selection out their with the features I want, but hold off on the extra speakers until I move next year. Now, my question is...for a 5.1 setup do I go with bipole/dipole surrounds for the rears, or a couple of good quality eg. bookshelf speakers. I read that in a 5.1 setup, the surrounds should be full range speakers...Quite confused.

Early B.

Polkaroo wrote: »

Now, my question is...for a 5.1 setup do I go with bipole/dipole surrounds for the rears, or a couple of good quality eg. bookshelf speakers. I read that in a 5.1 setup, the surrounds should be full range speakers...Quite confused.

Doesn't matter that much. Either bookshelf speakers or bipole/dipole speakers will work fine as surrounds.

If you had a ton of money and a huge HT room, full range speakers as surrounds (fronts and center, too) would make sense. Otherwise, forget about it.

obieone

My LR is 13'x17' and I got more than enough w/5.1 with bookshelfs.

SeannK

I have the fxi4 dipole speakers setup as my rears facing each other just behine my head and they sound pretty amazing for surround sound in a 5.1 setup.