Is there any general rule of thumb for the ideal placement for a 5.1 HT setup? I have a room where I can place my speakers up to 15' deep x 11' wide, and need to know if there's any general rule for where to position them for ideal impact.

* Is it proportional to room size?
* Does ceiling height have any impact? (cathederal ceiling in my LR is about 12' high)
* Toe in / angling rules of thumb?

Obviously, the placement of furniture, and it's construction (absorbtion / reflection) will play a part in the fine tuning, but I'm looking for a recommended starting point.

Thanks in advance.
u

I had the same concern while my house was being built.

I surfed around on the net and happened upon some helpful advice. I've placed a link at the bottom of this message to an excel spreadsheet file that will help you determine the optimal placement of your speakers in relation to your room size.

I used it for my set-up and it worked great! Hope this is helpful to you!

Sincerely,

Scott

Here's the link: [Link: guidetohometheater.com]

Regardless of other calculations, the best placement for rear speakers is just above your head while sitting, to the back and a bit to the side. I've never been fond of the sound produced when using in-ceiling speakers or ones on short stands RIGHT beside your ear.

I am setting up a HT - recently bought a 36" Sony Wega (funny way to spell Vega) and next week my DVD player will be here so I have everything I need except speakers - I have not yet decied which ones to get but I have a question about placement of the rear speakers.

The sofa in against the back wall - a fairly common arrangement I would guess - so I have a few choices:

1 - in the ceiling over the sofa
2 - on the back wall facing forward - right over the sofa
3 - I suppose I could pull the sofa out a tad and place small speakers on the floor firing up.

Which of these less than ideal placements would be preferable?

Cheers, Jim.


ONLY BRAVE MEN HAVE THE BALLS TO JUGGLE

I went to a high end stereo store after I had set up my HT to help a friend buy his speakers. I was satisfied with my HT, but asked the guy there where they recommend. He said, that for that set-up, to pull the couch away from the wall about 3-4 inches, and hang the speakers about 2-3 feet above your head firing at one another. I had them 2-3 feet firing forward. I went home, made a quick adjustment, and it made a HUGE improvement. Also, if you have end tables, it is pretty easy to hide them with some lamps. That seems to keep the wife happy.

Hope this helps some. I don't claim to be an expert, but I love this set-up.

Thanks, Ed, and everyone. Since I'm single, I don't have to worry about W.A.I. (Wife Approval Index). Right now, I have the rears of my Klipsch Quintets toed in, facing the screen, so I'll give a shot at angling them in further, and see what the results are.

Next question will be about correct delay settings...

Hi.

i recommend that you have all of the tweeters at sitting ear level(maybe not the surrounds). Have the centre speaker at the same level as the main.