5.1 to 7.1

If you have some extra speakers of any kind, just run some wire across the floor and give them a try. It will at least give you an idea of the look and the sound.

I have my QS8's on stands now for a 5.1 system. How far away should the surrounds be from the listening position. it makes it hard when 2 people are sitting on the couch as each is closer to one speaker then the other. I did measure the put in the delay from each speaker from the middle of the couch. Of course when we watch movies, its me and my wife, so neither is center,

Think of the same triangle rule you use for your fronts. I would suggest 5 feet back, which is hard for most people. You can also consider 6.1 which takes the stereo issue out of the picture. You can also use 6.1 with 2 speakers in parallel.

>So I an wondering if its worth changing to 7.1.

Yes. It's a quantum improvement in envelopment.

>Furthermore I run QS8's on the sides of my stage, so do I honestly need to run QS8's in back too?

Sound tracks mostly place ambiance and effects in the surround channels so you don't need to worry much about musical accuracy.

Thanks.... Since the wife has now heard the 5.1 system and loves it, she has set me free! So while my receiver is in for repair, I ordered new wire for everything, upgrading from Radioshack clear 14awg wire, to Canare 4S11. I bought Silflex premium glass toslinks. (Very Nice) I am going today to get 250' of Romex 10/2 and am going to run two dedicated lines, one for the amps, and one for my digital. Lastly I am stuck on the outlets. I assume you would want the best you can afford on the amps side, but would a Porterhouse be fine for all the others? I was thinking of running the Maestro on the Cambridge Audio receiver and Rotel amp to my VMPS sub.