In-walls for 6 & 7

Chad,

We just finished watching the first half of the Blu-ray remaster of Fantasia. The audio is 7.1 DTS Master HD, and the Cary Cinema 11a shows it was receiving 7.1, but I have it set to only do 5.1. I have no idea what the Cary does with the signals for channels 6 & 7, but the sound track sure gave 4 & 5 a workout. Made me wish for rear speakers.

db

Vernneal,

It seems as though a pair of Thiel in-walls would be $1800. That seems a lot to spend for rear channels. If I had to hide the front LCR speakers, $2700 could be justified.

db

I would look into Klipsch in walls, my father has some and I think his were around $500 per pair. Granted he didnt go crazy as he did with all others but for those channels a good speaker is a good speaker, the model he has features directional tweeter and level switch to tame any percieved brightness plus as all Klipsch are its very easy to drive.

If you must take a carpenters recommendation...

http://www.kef.com/us/custom

KEF also makes a T series flat on wall that may interest you.

If your processor/receiver does not matrix 5.1 into 7.1 then yes 7.1 is currently relegated to newer releases. I find the matrixing ability of even lower end receivers with room correction to be far more interesting and simply more fun than any 5.1.

My Triangle Comet surrounds and rears are mounted high on the side and rear walls pointing down at the listening position. The room takes on a sort of recording studio edge to it that could subjectively be offensive to some but we liked the look right from the get-go.

As always, the more similar and placement adjustable your audio components are the more well balanced the surround effect will become.

One of the better in-wall speakers are Triad.
I just install 5.1 system in my room, and they are very good.