While there is not really much in the way of true 7.1 material that doesnt mean you wont benefit from added speakers in a suitable space. The processor will create the sound routing to the 6 and 7 speakers and give a more emersive surround experience.
If you sit 5 or more feet from rear wall and place middle surrounds at your seating area the added channels will IMO be worth the expense, in wall speakers will often allow aiming of atleast the tweeter towards you if you choose.
I think based on rooms that can handle it 7.1 is a definite improvement and makes for more enjoyment. |
If you get in wall speakers I have only heard one brand worth listening to-Thiel |
Chad,
We just finished watching the first half of the Blu-ray remaster of Fantasia. The audio is 7.1 DTS Master HD, and the Cary Cinema 11a shows it was receiving 7.1, but I have it set to only do 5.1. I have no idea what the Cary does with the signals for channels 6 & 7, but the sound track sure gave 4 & 5 a workout. Made me wish for rear speakers.
db |
Vernneal,
It seems as though a pair of Thiel in-walls would be $1800. That seems a lot to spend for rear channels. If I had to hide the front LCR speakers, $2700 could be justified.
db |
I would look into Klipsch in walls, my father has some and I think his were around $500 per pair. Granted he didnt go crazy as he did with all others but for those channels a good speaker is a good speaker, the model he has features directional tweeter and level switch to tame any percieved brightness plus as all Klipsch are its very easy to drive. |
If you must take a carpenters recommendation...
http://www.kef.com/us/custom
KEF also makes a T series flat on wall that may interest you.
If your processor/receiver does not matrix 5.1 into 7.1 then yes 7.1 is currently relegated to newer releases. I find the matrixing ability of even lower end receivers with room correction to be far more interesting and simply more fun than any 5.1.
My Triangle Comet surrounds and rears are mounted high on the side and rear walls pointing down at the listening position. The room takes on a sort of recording studio edge to it that could subjectively be offensive to some but we liked the look right from the get-go.
As always, the more similar and placement adjustable your audio components are the more well balanced the surround effect will become. |
One of the better in-wall speakers are Triad.
I just install 5.1 system in my room, and they are very good. |
Vic,
The processor is a Cary Cinema 11a. I'm not sure whether it can matrix 5.1 into 7.1. I'll consult the manual. Pacific Sales in Goleta, on the other side of Santa Barbara from Montecito, claims to carry the KEF C and T series, so it's worth the 10-15 minute drive to take a look and perhaps a listen. Either series would be less visible than a pair of KEF 102.2s.
I couldn't find a price for the Triad speakers Maril555 mentions.
db |
I picked up a pair of in wall paradigms SA-35 (MSRP 1600) for 700 brand new on ebay and could not be happier. Drive them with bel canto S300 (also from ebay). These integrate with a very high end 2 channel system, a very good center channel and a JL audio sub. |
db, according to Cary's spec sheet of the 11a it does matrixing. It has "Listener Profile for speaker settings". I'm not sure if that's an automated room correction EQ or simply manual volume and distance settings. Overall it seems like a terrific processor and a great beginning of a satisfying Home Theater.
Montecito eh. I'm coastal (Capitola) and was fortunate to spend six months in Montecito in the early 70's and a few more months restoring and living on a very large schooner in the harbor. I took my wife there for the first time last August and was planning on staying at the Miramar. To my surprise it's been closed for some time and the Biltmore is stupid over the top. I did catch a nice chest high dawn at Rincon. I hadn't surfed there since 67 and the bottom hasn't changed much.
Take care |
Vic,
I looked at the manual last night, and also discovered does matrixing. Cary advises not using the automated room correction that comes of the chip they use, relying instead on a tape measure and SL meter. I bought the Cinema 11a after reading Stereophile's Michael Fremer rave about its audio. It replaced a Proceed PAV/PDSD that was moved to the living room.
The media room has a Sony VPL-50 projecting onto a 1.3 100" screen, 5 KEFs with T33 tweeters, a Velodyne HGS-15 with SMS-1 bass manager, PS3 and HD-DVR through a DVDO Edge, an XA5400ES, and a Thorens TD 160 table and SME Series arm with an Ortofon SME 30H cartridge. The amps are Proceed Amp 2 & 3. I'm looking for a used Amp 2 for the rear channels.
The Miramar has been the subject of controversy for years. The locals don't like the eyesore, but also don't want the additions the new owners claim are needed to make the project viable. The previous owner who could have done a nice job of it got disgusted after his run-ins with the locals over his remodel of the Coral Casino. He owns both the Biltmore and even higher-end San Ysidro Ranch. He's also built what I'd guess is a $50M+ residence up the hill from the Biltmore. Rincon is neat. |
I heard the KEF T301 speakers today, and was impressed. They sounded clean, without the boom of so many of the in-wall speakers I heard. Hanging them on the rear wall, either vertically or horizontally, seems easy. If I hate them after listening awhile, I can probably sell the pair at half price, and will only have lost $350.
db |
