Decent 7.1 System

[gsgtpepper]

I have been looking into getting a 7.1 surround sound system and wanted the opinion of some fellow PS3 owners. Here are some basic facts/points:

I have a 720P tv (1080i, but I output at 720) but want a system that will output at 1080P if I get a new tv anytime soon.

I have been reading that some receivers simply have a pass-through for the HDMI so that they don't even decode the 7.1 audio which kind of negates the whole reason for getting a 7.1 receiver. Also, I have heard that some receivers do well when turned up loud but don't do so well when turned down low.

I only have a 16 x 12 living room so maybe I wouldn't even be able to tell that the difference between 7.1 and 5.1. I am more thinking about the future when I have a real house and not an apartment. Do any of you have 7.1 systems? Are you happy with them?

I have seen some 7.1 HTIAB but not that many. Are they any good or would you suggest going with a 7.1 receiver and buying the speakers separately.

Would I be able to use the system for a wedding, playing music over a, roughly, 75 x 75 ft area, or do they only work well in enclosed spaces?

I know that this was long winded and that most of you have probably already gone on to another post, but for those of you that read the whole thing, taking in all of my considerations, what would you suggest?

 

[QiG]

I would generally avoid HTiB. Spend some quality time on avsforums.com and you will have more information than you know what to do with.

I am *very* budgeted and wound up getting a Sony STR-DG720 for about $219 on amazon in early January. It has the HDMI pass through and some other features that are nice for the price. What is nice is that with the PS3 and blu-rays, the PS3 does all the audio decoding and the receiver just plays the HD sound as is. I'm not sure what other receivers do this, you'd have to researech it. Most people will recommend Onkyo and Denon, Yamaha and some others. I personally would say not to blow your load on a receiver that is too much higher quality than your speakers because you won't notice the difference. I'd spend the money on a quality sub.

 

[blitz6speed]

Very few HTIB's can do HDMI audio, most are just HDMI Passthrough which is 100% worthless. Make sure to read up. I know the Onkyo SP-908 does HDMI audio and comes with the Onkyo 605 receiver, but that is a older model.

 

[redline]

If your listening area (couch) is in the middle of the room then you probably want to consider 7.1 speakers. If your couch is up against the wall I probably wouldn't bother with 7.1, just stick to 5.1. Regardless, get a receiver that is 7.1 in case you do move and want to add 2 speakers later.

Definitely get something that decodes all the latest audio formats since you have a PS3. The 2009 Pioneer models are looking like a pretty good value. Maybe consider the VSX-919 that should be out within the next month or two. Here's a link to some info on the new models.

http://i.gizmodo.com/5125654/pionee...ers-have-full-digital-ipodiphone-connectivity