7.1 speaker set up recommendation

I would go 5.1 and get fewer, better speakers. Less cabling also. 5k, even used, is not enough for 7.1, compared to the sound 5k gets you for 5.1.

I use VMPS speakers, and VMPS passive subs. Easy to drive, great bass...and have the ability to play loudly, without distortion.

Receiver is an Onkyo 805, and two Onkyo M-504's to drive the 4 subwoofers.

Note: I just upgraded to seven channels around two months ago...it is much better than 5 channels in my fairly large room.

Dave

Well I do VMPS to for mains and center but was trying to keep it simple lol. I doubt 5.1 VMPS CAN BE DONE FOR $5k, CLOSE but not sure you can get there. Dave......nice digs!
BTW VMPS rocks for HT and ofcourse music and is rather real world priced in the big picture of audio.

Give Totem speakers some serious consideration at this price point. I second the recommendation above that getting better individual speakers and staying with 5.1 at this price point is advisable. At most, consider going to 6.1 (1 surround back speaker)so that you can enjoy THX Ultra2 and DTS 6.1 Matrix-ES post-processing on traditional DVDs (and the newer formats as well of course)...