Need advice on "temporary" 7.1 setup

[electr0n]

I have the Ventriloquist VT-12 speaker package wired for 5.1 and have been using it that way for several years and I love them. I'm moving to a larger room that I'd like to set up for 7.1 surround. By reading the forums I understand that I will need to buy and add one more VT-254 speaker. I have never used the VT-251 that I have BTW.
So I think my config will be like this:
Back R - VT-254
Back L - VT-251
Mid R & L - VT-254
Front R & L - VT-254
(and center and sub of course)

I understand the wiring on the VT-251 will be "parallel" as recommended. Does that look right? I assume the acoustic characteristics are the same between the VT-251 and VT-254.

One more question - my Onkyo A/V receiver only does 6.1 right now but I will upgrade to a 7.1 receiver sometime this year. Is it possible to put the Mid R and Back R (and Mid L and Back L) in parallel to drive them all until I upgrade my receiver? I know this won't be true 7.1 but I would like to have all the speakers going if possible. However I don't want to damage either the receiver or my ventriloquists. I just wanted some advice if anyone had tried this or if it was not recommended. I know that it will half the impedance load to the receiver but don't know if that is a showstopper. This would just be temporary until I get my new 7.1 capable Onkyo. BTW the wiring for 7.1 is already completed, so doing that work is a non-issue. :)

Any advice is appreciated.

[electr0n]

Or...

I could wire the two rear speakers in series and connect it to the back speaker terminals (since it does 6.1). And leave the mid right and mid left connected to surround right and surround left respectively. That may be the safer bet (instead of wiring speakers in parallel). Does anyone have an opinion on this?

[electr0n]

Well I took a look at the Onkyo A/V receiver manual and it expressly states that you should never put two speakers in parallel - so that part is clear. I'll probably try putting the back two in series just to see how that works. If that doesn't work then I'll just use the back surround on one speaker and leave the other one dormant until I get my 7.1 receiver.

I guess I answered my own question pretty much - thanks anyway!

[Dr_Hsu]

Wiring the two rear speakers in series is a better bet.

[electr0n]

Dr. Hsu - Thanks! I guess we were both typing at the same time. I appreciate your feedback. I'll give that a try.

[Dr_Hsu]

You are most welcome.

[italiano]

Hello Dr Hsu. I was thinking of getting a new 7.1 low-budged speaker system to go with my Yamaha RX V663 in a small room (11'x11'). I was thinking of your Performance 1 or 2 (I may have to go with 1 since you're out of the STF-2 sub at the moment), and also buy the additional VT-254 speaker.
How would I have to wire the system? The brochure only goes as far as 6.1 systems. What about a 7.1 system? Would it be okay to bypass the ventriloquist system and wire each speaker directly to the receiver into the appropriate outs? Or if there is a setup for 7.1 that can also take advantage of the ventriloquist option, would I still be able to use all the sound options that my receiver offers?
Thank you for your time tending to this questions.

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi italiano,

The four rear speakers (L/R side surrounds, and L/R rear surrounds) simply need to be wired directly into the receiver.

Sincerely,