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 I imply, I’ve 5 receivers in my home, and whereas they are not all plugged in, I would actually dig a number of the outdated ones out earlier than I ever decide up a soundbar.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 no less than seven audio system. My important 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 someday, however they get the job finished at present.

Due to this, I’ve a 7.1 receiver, however I’d 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 house, and when you’ve got 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 purpose why I do not suppose folks want a 7.1 receiver is house. Until you’ve gotten 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 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 to by no means transfer these audio system round.

It is quite a bit to ask of someone, particularly in the event that they dwell with individuals who do not worth the identical kind of issues that you just do. For most individuals. I think about it is quite a bit 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 could be extra aware of house with 5 audio system versus seven. Even in case you do have the house in your lounge, there isn’t any assure you will get sufficient house between your surrounds and again surrounds. I’d be petrified of all of it mixing in collectively. If that occurred, then it will really feel like a waste of cash to have these two further audio system after I may have put that cash in the direction of different elements of my setup.

I’ve a large open basement that I would wish to make right into a devoted theater house in some unspecified time in the future, however I am nonetheless years and years away from that changing 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 interim, I am pleased with what I’ve, and I believe many individuals discover themselves in the identical scenario. I solely added the Atmos audio system as a result of I had the 2 further spots for them — I’d be simply superb with simply 5.1 if that is all I had the choice of. I grabbed another 7.1 receiver from Goodwill just lately, and I’ve no intention of ever utilizing all these ports.

It additionally is dependent 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 might get loads of mileage out of seven.1 encompass sound and Dolby Atmos. Nonetheless, in case you principally watch motion pictures, 7.1 won’t 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 motion pictures, and that is the place 5.1 can shine. A very powerful audio system in your encompass sound setup are your three entrance ones. Many individuals, myself included, recommend dumping probably the most cash into these. In reality, 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 are not essential, however they actually do not get as a lot use as one thing like your middle speaker.

I am not saying you would not get worth with a 7.1 system, however I do not suppose you would be as blown away going to that from 5.1 as you’ll be going from stereo to five.1. It acts extra as an enhancement of what you already like as an alternative of a very transformative expertise.

Now, there are a number of guidelines of thumb. If you will get a 7.1 receiver at an reasonably priced value and plan to finally 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. However, 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.