What Is The Preferred Setup 5.1.2 or 7.1?

Become a Member of The Daily HiFi Crew
bit.ly/dailyhi...
AFFILIATE LINKS (Use our links if you would like to support our channel)
Crutchfield: howl.me/ckjnFE...
Amazon: amzn.to/3rZcX3U
Best Buy: howl.me/ckjnJ0...
Target: howl.me/ckjnK7...
Disclaimer: This may contain Affiliate links which earn a commission if you purchase using those links. This is at no additional cost to you.
DHF Crew Merch: shop.dailyhifi...
Listen to the audio-only version of this podcast: anchor.fm/daily... Welcome to the Daily HiFi Podcast where we talk all things A/V!
Which one is preferred? Were you ever in this position? Do you do 5.1.2 or a 7.1 setup? If you are limited by receiver channels that discussion could even stop at 5.1. But if you can go to 7 channels driven or more what do you do? Let us know what your setup is even if it is a modest setup! We love hearing from ya, drop a comment even if it is just a hay there!
Join our Aftershow! / dailyhifi
Listen to the audio-only version of this podcast on any podcast service or go to: anchor.fm/daily...
Follow us on Instagram: / dailyhifi
Subscribe to Joe N Tell: / joentell
Subscribe to Techno Dad: / technodad
Subscribe to Youthman: / youthman
Subscribe to Erin's Audio Corner: / erinsaudiocorner
Disclaimer: This may contain Affiliate links which earn a commission if you purchase using those links. This is at no additional cost to you.

[@jackryder6732]

Important discussion

[@jjcps3]

Hi, I am struggling to find a good atmos receiver 5.1.4 ( they always seem to suggest/promote soundbar home theaters) what receiver are you using? Or which one do you recommend?

[@michaelwyckoff7593]

Have a good day fellas

[@blazed85]

I prefer just center speaker. I invested all my budget into it so it's all I can enjoy.

[@johnbooker7153]

If you only have 2 height channels, why you can't just wire the left and right height channels in series at 16 ohms which will give you 4 height speakers in stead of two???

[@Nathan_Jay]

Morning y'all

[@jackryder6732]

How can I connect with you and ask a question?

[@ChadAV69]

I had 7.1 and felt like the rears never really did anything, but then again they were like 9 feet behind me.

[@donaldwatson4991]

I just upgraded a 23 year old 7.1 receiver to 9.1 receiver. my question is would you go 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 . And I can only use up firing or on wall height speaks. Room is L20xW16xH8 . Thanks for the info back.

[@cpeyton78910]

On wall is better than upfiring in the majority of cases. I've heard that 5.1.4 is better for atmos content, but 7.1.2 is better for else. So it depends on the content you're watching

[@FactNight]

​@@cpeyton78910 for both atmos & normal content?

[@jjcps3]

Hi, I am struggling to find a good atmos receiver ( they always seem to suggest/promote soundbar home theaters) what receiver are you using? Or which one do you recommend?

[@donaldwatson4991]

I've got the onkyo rz-50 . It's does 9.1 channels of amplification or with an additional 2 channel amp you get 11.1 and you can get it for around $1000 or cheaper if you shop around. But if you can spend a little more I'd go for the rz-70 which is more power per channel and 2 separate sub out puts. Plus all 11 channels of amplification . So check out audiohaulic review and test on the rz-70

[@jjcps3]

@@donaldwatson4991 ok thanks man!

[@abelflores8132]

I have good question. Had someone do 5.1 system with a 2.1 soundbar work together?

[@nikolatrajkovic3720]

Do you mean experience 5.1 on a 2.1 soundbar, NO!!! That’s exactly why those numbers exist.

[@maheeinfy13]

No need to choose. Yamaha automatically switches between those configurations depending on source. Unless you are talking about not enough speakers to setup 7.1.2

[@AV84USA]

That receiver cannot do 7.1.2, that’s 9 channels, there are only 7 channels plus a subwoofer.. The A2A can do either 5.1.2 OR 7.1.0.

[@malibuman6160]

I’m new to this so I’m sure I’m interpreting this incorrectly… but does 5.1.2 now allow you to go to Atmos? And while having more height channels work better, Atmos is a big upgrade as instead of channels, it can pinpoint the sound better - even on a 5.1.2 - what am I missing?

[@tonyorob]

5.1.2 has only two height channels, typically locted with the front speakers. Whereas a 5.1.4 setup adds height channels to the rear surround speakers, which is way more immersive because on-screen object's sound moving 'overhead' gives the impression that they're moving from over the tv to over and behind your sitting position while watching a movie.

[@malibuman6160]

@@tonyorob I appreciate that 5.1.4 would be much better, but in the context of 5.1.2 vs 7.1 - I thought that Atmos would have the large advantage of 3D pinpoint sound Vs channel sound (sorry, I know this is not the correct terminology - new to this).

[@tonyorob]

@@malibuman6160 Yea, 5.1.2 is more immersive than 7.1 due to the two height channels.

[@AV84USA]

Why does everyone say “but if you go to x.x.4” when you tell them your equipment will only do x.x.2?

[@guitarcleveland]

I went from 5.1.2 to 7.1, and without a doubt, 7.1 sounds better.

[@dougbulldog9947]

That's interesting I'm looking at going from 7.1 to 5.1.2 with my STR DN1080 thinking of a setting up a switch on the the rear/height cables so I can choose between the rears & heights

[@guitarcleveland]

@dougbulldog9947 5.1 and 5.1.2 sound incomplete to me because sound gets cutoff right behind your seating position. 7.1 is what real surround sound should sound like because it envelops you all around. The height effects were cool in 5.1.2, but my surround speakers are up high, and 7.1 still sounds like effects are above you. Atmos is cool but I refuse to spend three grand on a receiver that can do it all, plus cut four speakers into my living room ceiling. I'm sticking with 7.1.

[@dougbulldog9947]

@@guitarcleveland That makes sense, considering the average quality of the actual atmos mixes available when streaming movies from Netflix and because I mainly listen to YT music. I use six identical tower speakers for fronts, surrounds and back, with tweaters at ear level, wondering how high are your surround speakers mounted above ear level in your MLP?

[@cruzinthruspace]

Not every one has the space 5.1 is the best all across

[@tommyshoe-star1426]

@@guitarclevelandI´m at the same point, I have 5.1 now and I have 7 equal ones in total, the other 2 are used for music listening in another room but I would need another amplifier and I would also need 2 speakers more plus how to mount it in my cooperative apartment living room I would like to have atmos but 5.1.2 feels wrong also thinking about just getting the 7.1 instead of a wrong 5.1.2

[@pekkatervala8476]

7.1 Denon and 2 subs. Pretty sure I won't go for Atmos in my rented terrace apartment.

[@mikemuravez]

7.1.4

[@TheJustina102085]

Great question. I’m trying to decide how to upgrade my parents home theatre (who probably don’t care as much as I do). I have 5.4 but very much wish I had 7 channel base layer so was wondering if 7.1 is better than 5.2.. great video!