7.1 means:
2 front speakers, left and right
1 center speaker
2 rear speakers, left and right
2 side speakers
and the .1 is for a sub.
Is it better than 5.1? Depends on the size of the room and the amount of people sitting in the room. I had a 8.1 system and after setting it up I didn't feel that I had gained anything and should have stayed with a 5.1.
As far as placement goes. Start with your most important speakers, the front left and right. Place them just like you would for a 2 channel system. Only you can determine what is the best placement for them in your particular room. Place your center speaker per the speakers recommendation. If you go with the side speakers I would suggest you first place them on the floor directly to your side and start listening, keep moving them back until they sound the best. You will more than likely find that the best placement is where you can see them when you turn your head to the side, in other words slightly back from your sitting position. For the rears, about 110 from the sitting position seems to work for most people. The sides and rears are not critical like the fronts. All they are for are ambiant sounds, and foley effects. The front three speakers are the critical ones, also make sure you set the time delay for your center speaker placement so that there is seemless sonic panning from side to center to side.
2 front speakers, left and right
1 center speaker
2 rear speakers, left and right
2 side speakers
and the .1 is for a sub.
Is it better than 5.1? Depends on the size of the room and the amount of people sitting in the room. I had a 8.1 system and after setting it up I didn't feel that I had gained anything and should have stayed with a 5.1.
As far as placement goes. Start with your most important speakers, the front left and right. Place them just like you would for a 2 channel system. Only you can determine what is the best placement for them in your particular room. Place your center speaker per the speakers recommendation. If you go with the side speakers I would suggest you first place them on the floor directly to your side and start listening, keep moving them back until they sound the best. You will more than likely find that the best placement is where you can see them when you turn your head to the side, in other words slightly back from your sitting position. For the rears, about 110 from the sitting position seems to work for most people. The sides and rears are not critical like the fronts. All they are for are ambiant sounds, and foley effects. The front three speakers are the critical ones, also make sure you set the time delay for your center speaker placement so that there is seemless sonic panning from side to center to side.