I don't have anywhere to place a set of rear speakers behind the listeners because of our open floor plan and refusal to run wiring across the floor. Is there an alternate way to setup a 7.1 surround system such as beside the listeners?
The room setup right now is with the tv in the corner and the rear surrounds just behind the center listening locations at the end of the wall where the room opens up into the open area of the kitchen area.
My receiver is capable of 7.1, but I run it in 5.1 for the reasons Casey mentioned. 5.1 is more than enough to immerse you in sound, especially if the source is encoded in DD PL II or DTS.