Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems System for Movies 7.x vs 5.x

Thanks for the heads up! Now, I have to find a solution...

I have 7.1 in a much smaller room. 6 x 4.5m but feel that given the right source material, it is worthwhile.

I use a G61R so the 7.1 starts life as 7.1 out of the Oppo, becomes 5.1 out of the HD621 then matrixes back to 7.1 in the G61R.

I was bothered about that thinking the 861 was the way to go to maintain the 7.1 end to end but the extra outlay didn't make sense to me.

Anyway, that aside I have experimented with 7.1 and with 5.1 sides only, rears only.

5.1 is sufficient for Trifield IMO and I prefer the sides in that case.

For movies it varies. With some mixes the extra channels are put to good use but generally it's of marginal benefit. So much so, that I removed a set of surrounds and employed them in another room over Christmas.

HOWEVER, when I got the latest Transformers Bluray (7.1 and ATMOS mixes) I immediately connected them back up in the cinema to enjoy the 7.1. Wow. Definitely notice the difference with that soundtrack (and a select few other Blurays).

I would design the cables into your chosen room, even if you're not convinced 7.1 is worth it and borrow a set of extra surrounds from your dealer to convince yourself in your own room. The worst case will be that you wasted a little money on some cables. Not a big issue I imagine, if you can afford DSP8000SEs.

For music, it's a very personal thing. After preferring Trifield for years, I've gone back to 2 channel!

In my HT I have an 861v6 and a bunch of Revivers, used to have 5.1 now thanks to a HH'er in UK and Chris in the ex-Meridian shop I now have 7.1. I refused to invest in this until I figured out a method to get HD 7.1 audio through my media player into the speakers. Once I figured that out, I bought the last speaker and I am very happy.

But you should inventory your Blu-Ray library to see how many 7.1 soundtracks you own. Out of my 379 BD's and DVD's, I have only 23 7.1 soundtracks, while I own 139 2.35/2.40 widescreen films! So, Cinemascope I invested in first, with a JVC 1080p projector and a lense+video processor and a 2.35 screen.

Some directors take special care with their 7.1 soundtracks, such as LoTR's Peter Jackson, David Fincher's films, plus Oblivion.

TLDR: Glad I finished the upgrade to 7.1, very happy to have invested in 2.35 screen/projector!

Hi Crion,

I just noticed your setup. How is LFE channel handled? I would assume it would just be using the 8000SE?

No need for a sub in the setup?

All speakers are configured as large. The back speakers are configured as wall/corner and center as wall placement. Everything else is using the Free placement.

LFE information is going to all speakers to the degree they can handle it. Works very well.

In order to do the LFE real proper with even distribution to replace this .0 setup i would either build something custom for the room or need additional space for well placed subs, since with that outlay and room space lost you want something that is truly spectacular to complement the rest.

I would start with 7.0 with this setup and then ask yourself if you want more subs in the room. With a real large room and no neighbors then a battery of reference subs would be cool for LFE.