I take my dwelling audio very critically. I imply, I’ve 5 receivers in my home, and whereas they don’t seem to be all plugged in, I might actually dig a number of the previous ones out earlier than I ever choose up a soundbar. Now, a few of them are extra feature-rich than others. I am a giant Dolby Atmos fan, so I would like one thing that may use no less than seven audio system. My predominant setup is 5.1.2, which suggests I’ve the 5 common audio system after which two peak audio system for Atmos. I ought to actually get round to upgrading my Atmos audio system in the future, however they get the job accomplished at the moment.
Due to this, I’ve a 7.1 receiver, however I’d by no means truly use a 7.1 speaker setup. I exploit the 2 additional channels to calibrate my Atmos audio system, and I feel most individuals would get much more mileage by taking that route over a 7.1 system. Organising a real 7.1 encompass sound setup takes up loads of house, and in case you have pets or babies, it may be an even bigger burden than you’d anticipate.
Let’s take Atmos out of the equation for a second and fake I solely have the selection of 5.1 or 7.1 audio. In that situation, I might nonetheless take 5.1. It’d sound loopy, however I can clarify.
I merely cannot match all these audio system in my room
Room constraints are actual
The largest purpose why I do not assume folks want a 7.1 receiver is house. Until you could have a devoted dwelling theater space, having seven audio system in a lounge is a tricky promote. Even in case you can conceal the wires, the audio system nonetheless take up loads of house. It takes loads of time to place issues collectively, and in case you use your receiver’s room correction software program, you must be sure you by no means transfer these audio system round.
It is rather a lot to ask of any individual, particularly in the event that they reside with individuals who do not worth the identical kind of issues that you simply do. For most individuals. I think about it is rather a lot simpler to only plug in a soundbar and name it a day. A 5.1 encompass sound system is not precisely a center floor for that, however you will be extra acutely aware of house with 5 audio system versus seven. Even in case you do have the house in your lounge, there is no assure you will get sufficient house between your surrounds and again surrounds. I’d be frightened of all of it mixing in collectively. If that occurred, then it could really feel like a waste of cash to have these two additional audio system after I might have put that cash in the direction of different elements of my setup.
I’ve a large open basement that I might prefer to make right into a devoted theater house sooner or later, however I am nonetheless years and years away from that changing into a actuality. Nevertheless, that’d be the place I might match seven audio system together with Atmos audio system, nevertheless it’d imply I might have to purchase a receiver able to all that. In the intervening time, I am proud of what I’ve, and I feel many individuals discover themselves in the identical scenario. I solely added the Atmos audio system as a result of I had the 2 additional spots for them — I’d be simply positive with simply 5.1 if that is all I had the choice of. I grabbed one other 7.1 receiver from Goodwill not too long ago, and I’ve no intention of ever utilizing all these ports.
It additionally depends upon how you propose to make use of your audio system. Taking part in video video games is an glorious use of encompass sound, and that is an space the place I feel you may get loads of mileage out of seven.1 encompass sound and Dolby Atmos. Nevertheless, in case you principally watch films, 7.1 may not be the play.
Most sound comes from the entrance
Surrounds aren’t as essential
I spend most of my time utilizing my encompass sound watching films, and that is the place 5.1 can shine. Crucial audio system in your encompass sound setup are your three entrance ones. Many individuals, myself included, counsel dumping probably the most cash into these. Actually, my surrounds are a pair of Sony bookshelves that I beforehand utilized in a stereo setup. You do not are inclined to get loads of motion from these audio system, so you do not have to interrupt the financial institution on them. That is to not say they don’t seem to be essential, however they actually do not get as a lot use as one thing like your heart speaker.
I am not saying you would not get worth with a 7.1 system, however I do not assume you would be as blown away going to that from 5.1 as you’d be going from stereo to five.1. It acts extra as an enhancement of what you already like as an alternative of a really transformative expertise.
Now, there are just a few guidelines of thumb. If you will get a 7.1 receiver at an inexpensive value and plan to finally add these audio system or use these two additional spots for Atmos, then go for it. I do not need anyone to purchase a 5.1 receiver with no improve path, solely to exchange it down the highway after they get the urge so as to add extra audio system. Then again, if it can save you a pair hundred {dollars} by getting a 5.1 receiver, and you haven’t any plans to improve, that is a greater wager.
