anyone use 6.1

[selkec]

I am curous as to what one gains from using 6.1. What type of speaker to use based on whats in my sig. And placement. I recently moved a sofa table right behind my sofa so now I could set one there. But is that too close? Also What sound comes out of it. Is it a matrix of rear surrounds or same as front center. Hope this is not a stupid question.

[mrcoop]

Right behind the sofa is real close. Some movies, not many, will have a seperate rear channel affect. Most just use 5.1, If the movie is decoded in 5.1 channels a 6.1 or 7.1 can be matrixed to the back rear channels creating a more enveloping sound...from my understanding, it takes the side channels and spreads them out to the rears...as long as your processor/av is capable. I decided to go with 2 rears, just in case more movies that come out are 6.1 or 7.1. Iam thankful that I have it when I do play a movie decoded in 6.1 or 7.1 and...I also like matrixing a 5.1 to the rears. Some do , some don't...but I like it. Some say a 5.1 should stay a 5.1, because thats the way it was intended...but honestly, it's whatever an individual likes.

If you decide to try it, make sure the spl matches your sides from your seating position...that way its not blasting right behind you. I would use one of those dipole/bipole design speakers. It maybe worth a shot...you may like it. Iam sure some will say no, stick with just 5 channels, but everyones interpretation of how it sounds to them maybe different from yours.

[selkec]

Thanks. Anyone else have any suggestions. Im thinking the speaker ill be too close to me. like 2 feet at most.

[kt10r]

Its not too close as long as you have level controls in your reciever.

[bfisher]

I have 7.1 and tried 6.1 and 5.1... and like 7.1 best. It fills the room perfectly. 5.1 still sounds fine, but it's missing something... but it could be the size of my room.

I use the ERM surround speakers and have been very pleased. My rears are about 10' behind the listener, and the sides are about 5'... but using the LMC1 I could get them reasonably balanced without issue.

[selkec]

maybe ill buy matching bipoles from polk. But I really want all my speakers to be cherry so my only option I can find is to the axiom qs4 or qs8 in cherry. I guess its not that big of deal if the surrounds dont timbre match. Is it?

[bfisher]

the "experts" say it should timbre match. I don't know for certain - but I do admit that all of mine are perfectly matched and it's awesome! Sound just moves around the room - it's perfect. I'd be concerned if they aren't matched that when it moves around the room, it will sound like it's changing speakers and you'll notice the effect... rather than just being sucked into the great sound.

[flamingeye]

I have 2 klipsch RF-15`s behind and up against my sofa , but I have them facing up so they are not blasting at me and it works perfect that way I`m glad I went 7.2 because it does add to the experience for movies and music

[CiXel]

I use 6.1

It's a great step up from 5.1 as the ear has trouble localizing a phantom 'center' from the rear. The actual center rear helps immensely with that, even when matrixed on 5.1 material.

[Nemesis.ie]

I have it as an option (ERD-1) but prefer to use the 2 x Yamaha presence channels at the front instead. The 6.1 does "fill in" the hole at the rear nicely though - this is why I would like at least a 9.2 system.