Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems A debate I never thought I'd have with myself

This... might sound stupid.
7.1 or 5.1?

Whole system is 24/96... 5k's as front mains, DSP33's as everything else plus a D2500 sub. 568.2mm controls it.

Problem I'm having is I kinda think 7.1 would not be a benefit in my room. Anyone running 7.1? I'm also feeling lazy and don't really want to make new comms cables.

Room is smallish and placement of rears is currently not more than about 1 foot behind normal head position so not sure sides would really work.

Hi,

Nothing wrong with a 5.1 system!

Unless you have a 861 processor, you can't really do full 'HD' audio 7.1 from a blu-ray player as the 500 and G series processors can only do 'matrixed' side channels.

If you don't already have one, and you feel a bit of a 'spend' coming on, a HD621 HDMI switcher, will allow you to access the full 5.1 audio content from blu-ray discs.

Brian

As well as the suggestion of an HD621 (I can’t tell from your sig what other sources you have) I would look at upgrading your centre if possible to a 5k either vertical or horizontal.

I use a 568.2mm and have a 7.1 setup. But my rear and sides are about equal distance from my seating. Between 7-8 feet. Even matrixed it sounds better than just two rear channels in movies. But I still prefer only two rears for two channel music.

Ron

Unless the sides are at your sides and rears behind you you won't find much gain.

I have the same issue and tried several times. Unless I want to push the couch 3-4 ft forward in a smallish room.

I also think you need some level of room reflection dampening in the corners especially to get the full affect of 4 rear channels and have some distance between all 4 channels. If you are sitting close to the rear wall then I think it's a waste of money to jump to 7.1. Although every room is different.

Wow - excellent advice all-around! I've decided not to go with 7.1. Really the room can't handle it due to layout.