I've been trying to justify upgrading from a Beosystem 1 to a Beosystem 3. I thought to myself "Wow. I'll finally be able to hear 7.1 channels of surround sound!" I was even planning where I would place those extra 2 B&O speakers in the room. Then.....I started browsing through my very large collection of blu-ray movies and found only ONE movie with 7.1 surround: "The Nightmare Before Christmas." 

What have other users' experiences been with 7.1 surround? What movies even offer this?

Check here.

http://price-adjustment.com/BLURAY-audio

Chris Botti in Boston has 7.1, you won't regret buying this one.

James

I was thrilled by the same idea, 7.1 must be the next step. So when my BS3 was installed, I hijacked 2 Beolab 3 from my office to setup the back channels. However, my media room is to small (it is just 4 by 3,6 m) to take advantage of the additional channels, no big difference unfortunately. 

But I know from friends that it can work out quite nice even without 7.1 software. Not sure if you could get a home demo from your dealer, I think that would make sense.

James Chen:

http://price-adjustment.com/BLURAY-audio

interesting list, includes BluRay Audio

I did not even know they were available !

And Cutthroat Island with Geena Davis in 7.1 ... 

After connecting 7 surround speakers, do you hear all 4 rear/side speakers even when only 5.1 sound is available? Or do 2 of the speakers go unused most of the time?

I think there will be sound from all 7.

Yes, you get sound from all speakers regardless of 5.1 or 7.1 sources.