I do not want a 7.1 receiver, and neither do you

I take my residence audio very severely. I imply, I’ve 5 receivers in my home, and whereas they don’t seem to be all plugged in, I would actually dig among the outdated ones out earlier than I ever decide up a soundbar.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 not less than seven audio system. My primary setup is 5.1.2, which suggests I’ve the 5 common audio system after which two top audio system for Atmos. I ought to actually get round to upgrading my Atmos audio system sooner or later, however they get the job performed presently.

Due to this, I’ve a 7.1 receiver, however I might by no means really use a 7.1 speaker setup. I exploit the 2 further channels to calibrate my Atmos audio system, and I believe most individuals would get much more mileage by taking that route over a 7.1 system. Establishing a real 7.1 encompass sound setup takes up loads of area, and if in case you have pets or young children, it may be an even bigger burden than you’d count on.

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 state of affairs, I would 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 cause why I do not assume individuals want a 7.1 receiver is area. Until you could have a devoted residence theater space, having seven audio system in a lounge is a troublesome promote. Even in case you can conceal the wires, the audio system nonetheless take up loads of area. It takes loads of time to place issues collectively, and in case you use your receiver’s room correction software program, you need to be sure to by no means transfer these audio system round.

It is lots to ask of any individual, particularly in the event that they dwell with individuals who do not worth the identical kind of issues that you simply do. For most individuals. I think about it is lots simpler to simply 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 area with 5 audio system versus seven. Even in case you do have the area in your lounge, there is no assure you may get sufficient area between your surrounds and again surrounds. I might be fearful of all of it mixing in collectively. If that occurred, then it could really feel like a waste of cash to have these two further audio system after I may have put that cash in direction of different components of my setup.

I’ve a large open basement that I would prefer to make right into a devoted theater area sooner or later, however I am nonetheless years and years away from that turning into a actuality. Nonetheless, that’d be the place I may match seven audio system together with Atmos audio system, but it surely’d imply I would have to purchase a receiver able to all that. In the intervening time, I am pleased with what I’ve, and I believe many individuals discover themselves in the identical state of affairs. I solely added the Atmos audio system as a result of I had the 2 further spots for them — I might be simply wonderful with simply 5.1 if that is all I had the choice of. I grabbed another 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 excellent use of surround sound, and that is an space the place I believe you could possibly get loads of mileage out of seven.1 encompass sound and Dolby Atmos. Nonetheless, in case you largely watch motion pictures, 7.1 won’t be the play.

Most sound comes from the entrance

Surrounds aren’t as necessary

I spend most of my time utilizing my encompass sound watching motion pictures, 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, recommend 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 necessary, 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 a couple of guidelines of thumb. If you will get a 7.1 receiver at an reasonably priced worth and plan to ultimately add these audio system or use these two further spots for Atmos, then go for it. I do not need anyone to purchase a 5.1 receiver with no improve path, solely to interchange it down the highway once they get the urge so as to add extra audio system. Alternatively, if it can save you a pair hundred {dollars} by getting a 5.1 receiver, and you don’t have any plans to improve, that is a greater wager.