If I buy a 7.1 receiver am I obligated to buy 7 speakers, or is less OK? Will it still split the sound correct

Question

If I buy a 7.1 receiver am I obligated to buy 7 speakers, or is less OK? Will it still split the sound correct

Answer 1

You'll need to purchase at least two speakers and a subwoofer with this unit, but the more speakers you can buy, the better it'll sound.

If you're planning on using any of the Dolby Digital or DTS modes with a DVD/HD-DVD/Blu-Ray video player or a XBox/360/PS3, which all support at least true 5.1 out of the box, you'll want to spend a little more and get all of the speakers - the receiver will be able to do the discrete 7.1 and 5.1 modes properly, without having to mix the audio for the left and right channels.

With all speakers attached, you'll also be able to fully take advantage of the environmental surround effects for mono, stereo, and 5.1 sources; basically, the stereo has a DSP which recreates different environments (like concert halls and recording studios) and makes your sound more open and gives it more depth.

Answer 2

if you really want to take advantage of the full capabilities of having a 7.1 speakers ... I think it's better to buy 7 speakers.

Answer 3

No you are not, though I would suggest a minimum of 5 speakers and a sub woofer. That will give you 5.1 sound which many DVDs support. You can count the number of movies done in 6.1 and 7.1 on one hand. You can set the receiver to the number of speakers you have.

Though another poster is partly correct, actually there are hi-def formats supporting up to 20 channels of sound, and DTS will support an unlimited number of channels, there is no content for it. Most movie theaters are 5.1 therefore most movies are done in 5.1.

As to your second question, that all depends what format you are talking about. Dolby will copy the two surround channels to the back channels. DTS will not. Which is correct? It all depends who you talk to. I have a 7.1 set up and usually keep my back speakers turned off. There is simply not much 6.1 or 7.1 content available and leaving the extra speakers on tends to smear the image.

As far as the fake or simulated surround or environments I don't use them much. I do use DTS neo6 to simulate surround sound from stereo occasionally. I never use the Dolby simulated surround, I find it is inferior to DTS, but to each their own.

Answer 4

My advice is if you only want to buy speakers for a 5.1 setup, then buy a 5.1 receiver.  If you don't want to buy more than 2 speakers, then buy a stereo receiver.  

The vast majority of movies out there are 5.1.  The new HDEF movies are coming out in 7.1 but really 7.1 is a some time down the road before it becomes mainstream as most folks are playing 7.1 movies on a 5.1 system or even a stereo system!

Whatever you do, buy it with plans of using it as it was designed to be used.  Don't buy a 7.1 system and only plan to use 2 or 4 speakers on it - you are wasting your money and getting less sound and less sound quality besides.

T

Answer 5

Most receivers that do 7.1 will do everything UP TO 7.1.

Meaning 5.1, 6.1, or even just 2 stereo speakers

Answer 6

No matter how many speakers you get you still only have two ears.

Answer 7

7.1 surround is the best performance the receiver is capable of, but it will have several other modes, requiring fewer speakers. The minimum for TV and movies is two stereo speakers, plus one center-channel speaker for dialogue. The mode is something like 3.1. Next up is with two rear speakers for effects, and this is 5.1. So you do not need 7 speakers to use the receiver, and with the correct settings selected, you should have no significant loss of audio clarity.

Answer 8

lol @ obligated...the receiver has terminals in the back for different speaker locations (rear, center, surround, etc)...just hook up your speaker according to the acoustics in the room the receiver will be in...it's best to get all the speakers though...it will enhance the sound for you