5.1 vs 7.1

admin_exported

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Aug 10, 2019
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Hi All, Quick question. I have an Onkyo 605 (sucker for the HD switching and audio) with Q Acoustics 1010 5.1 system with the new sub. I neglected to go 7.1 surround even though the Onkyo can with ease. So a question. Is it worth shelling out for 2 more speakers to upgrade from 5.1? Does it make a big impact or not? Cheers, JimF
 
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Anonymous

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The 605 doesn't matrix 5.1 to 7.1 doesn't it? So, unless I am mistaken, the rear two speakers would be silent when playing a 5.1 disc, unless the amp is fed a 7.1 source of course.

Perhaps somebody with a 605 can enlighten us, I have a 705 which DOES matrix.
 

Andy Clough

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Apr 27, 2004
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Simple answer, yes. It will give you a more enveloping sound and although not essential, it's certainly worth doing if you have the space/funds.

And the TX-SR605 does do Dolby Digital EX, DTS-ES Discrete/Matrix and DTS Neo:6.
 
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Anonymous

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Just to confuse matters I'd go with a 6.1 system. There's not much 7.1 material out there or not much I've come accros anyway. Just add another centre speaker at the rear and I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the results and it'll save you a few bob. Not sure what the two rear speakers would do in a 7.1 set up playing a 6.1 track but I doubt it'd be much different.

Just my two pennies worth ;)
 

Clare Newsome

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Jun 4, 2007
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[quote user="homerpovey"]Just to confuse matters I'd go with a 6.1 system. There's not much 7.1 material out there or not much I've come accros anyway. Just add another centre speaker at the rear and I'm sure you'll be more than happy with the results and it'll save you a few bob. Not sure what the two rear speakers would do in a 7.1 set up playing a 6.1 track but I doubt it'd be much different.

Just my two pennies worth ;)[/quote]

Except it doesn't tend to save you much (apart from the extra cable), as extra surround speakers are typically sold as pairs rather than singles.

I used to run my Yamaha 'Z9 surround amp in its full '9.1' mode - two extra presence speakers at the front. Superb stuff in really atmospheric films...

Still running a 7.1 set-up - as Andy says, it just adds to the atmosphere and excitement. If your room/partner/budget will allow it, go for it - there are only going to be more 7.1 HD mixes on their way.
 
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Anonymous

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Cheers Claire. Now you're tempting me to stretch to a 7.1 set up :). Slightly off topic I've been looking to upgrade my KEF 2005.2's and like the AE Aegis Neo 5.1 speakers at £700 ish but the Quad L-ite's price reduction is swaying me. I know it's all personal preference but which of these would you recommend?
 

Clare Newsome

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Jun 4, 2007
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The AEs at the price they're asking at the moment are a steal if you're after a big, beefy cinema sound (that's also muscular with music). The Quads are also damn impressive, but offer a more measured (that's not to say tame!) sound - i'd strongly suggest you audition both to see which sound suits you best.
 
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Anonymous

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Thanks. Any links to a £700 price you've mentioned somewhere. Found them at £750.
 
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Anonymous

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But what will a 605 do with a DD5.1 source (the vast majority of DVDs)? Will it use all the speakers?
 

professorhat

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Dec 28, 2007
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Yes, it will use all the speakers... (As long as you mean all the 5.1 speakers in the room. If you mean all the speakers in the world, then I chastise you for suggesting such chaos)
 
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Anonymous

Guest
[quote user="professorhat"]Yes, it will use all the speakers... (As long as you mean all the 5.1 speakers in the room. If you mean all the speakers in the world, then I chastise you for suggesting such chaos)[/quote]

Nope I meant all the 7.1 speakers. Will the 605 use all the 7.1 speakers when playing a DD5.1 source? The 705 does, but that has the THX matrix option, so any 5.1 source will use all the 7.1 speakers.
 
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Anonymous

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On a similar note, I am running with the KEF 3005SE 5.1 package.

If I was going to upgrade to a 7.1 set-up, would I be better off buying another pair of the KEF satellites...............

...........or investing in some dedicated floor standers to use for Front L and R, and moving the existing satellites around?
 
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Anonymous

Guest
[quote user="Ketch"]
On a similar note, I am running with the KEF 3005SE 5.1 package.

If I was going to upgrade to a 7.1 set-up, would I be better off buying another pair of the KEF satellites...............

...........or investing in some dedicated floor standers to use for Front L and R, and moving the existing satellites around?
[/quote]

I replaced the fronts with a pair of MS 916i and later Andrew kindly chipped in and recommended a MS 905i, it's a huge improvement over the Sony front satellites. Still haven't got around to moving the sats to the rear for 7.1 use though.
 
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Anonymous

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[quote user="Eddiewood"][quote user="Ketch"]
On a similar note, I am running with the KEF 3005SE 5.1 package.

If I was going to upgrade to a 7.1 set-up, would I be better off buying another pair of the KEF satellites...............

...........or investing in some dedicated floor standers to use for Front L and R, and moving the existing satellites around?
[/quote]

I replaced the fronts with a pair of MS 916i and later Andrew kindly chipped in and recommended a MS 905i, it's a huge improvement over the Sony front satellites. Still haven't got around to moving the sats to the rear for 7.1 use though.[/quote]

That's interesting. I was thinking along the lines of investing in something like the Kef iQ7's as replacement fronts as I thought that this would really improve the musical ability of my set-up, whilst still performing its cinema duties well with the existing sats.

Would this make any real difference?
 
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Anonymous

Guest
Whats the secret to convincing the "better half" that more speakers is a good idea?
emotion-1.gif
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I equate the number of speakers in the house to the number of pairs of shoes she is allowed to own.

By current estimates, I still have scope for another 76 speakers!!!!!! :)
 

Andrew Everard

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May 30, 2007
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[quote user="Ketch"]I was thinking along the lines of investing in something like the Kef iQ7's as replacement fronts as I thought that this would really improve the musical ability of my set-up, whilst still performing its cinema duties well with the existing sats.
Would this make any real difference?[/quote]

Yes, provided you also replace the centre speaker with the iQ2C, or even better the iQ6C, to give an even tonal balance across the front channels
 
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Anonymous

Guest
[quote user="Andrew Everard"]
[quote user="Ketch"]I was thinking along the lines of investing in something like the Kef iQ7's as replacement fronts as I thought that this would really improve the musical ability of my set-up, whilst still performing its cinema duties well with the existing sats.
Would this make any real difference?[/quote]

Yes, provided you also replace the centre speaker with the iQ2C, or even better the iQ6C, to give an even tonal balance across the front channels
[/quote]

Cheers Andrew.

You even managed to pre-empt my next question about centre speaker upgrades!
 
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Anonymous

Guest
I assume the seven of diamonds is one per speaker................????
 

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