Expert: fab - 12/27/2008

Question
I have a 7.1 harmon kardon receiver and a Bose acoustimas 16 which is originally setup for 6.1.  I further purchased the bose centre channel to allow for 7.1. I currently have the system wiredthrough the Bose sub.  I was wondering if i should bypass that and wire the speakers directly through the receiver.  The sub controller does not have the second rear surround so I wired the centre channel directly to the receiver, and use the Subs centre for my rear.  I don't seem to be impressed with the quality, so was wondering if there was any downsides to doing it direct.

Answer
A) The Bose speakers were designed for the be used w/the sub so I would keep that in mind.

B) The system was designed for 6.1 adding the 7th speaker is not a good idea.  When you double up 2 speakers on an output designed for one you drop your wattage.

C) 7.1 receivers are designed for Left, Center, Right, Right Side, Left Side, Right Rear and Left Rear and sub. From what I understand the Acoustomas 16 adds the 6th speaker as a rear center so adding a second rear center doesn't achieve the same effect

D) Movies are mixed in 5.1, very few if any are mixed in 7.1.  Meaning what your hearing isn't what the movies studios have spent million on perfecting, you're hearing what the acoustomas algorithm decides you should hear.

E) I'm never impressed w/Bose quality

What I would do is A/B the Bose 6.1 system to the Harmon Kardon 7.1 (setting the Bose up as they intended and setting the Harmon Kardon as a true 7.1 system) and listen for what sounds better.  I would live w/each setup for a week or so while comparing.  I hope this helps, let me know what happens w/your comparison.