Wanted some opinions on where I'm planning to put my FXi A4 rear surrounds in my 5.1 setup. It's a fairly small room, about 12' X 10' with one side open to dining room. Not sure if it matters for this question but fronts are RTi A3's, Center CSi A6, HSU STF-1 Sub, Onkyo 606 and using audyssey for setup.

I would like to use a narrow bookshelf behind my couch to put the speakers on (it would also leave enough space in the corner for the sub).. they would be raised slightly on platforms to reach ear level, but only about 15 inches apart from each other and 8 feet from fronts and center. Will I get good surround sound from this placement or do I absolutely have to get some stands and move them further apart?

Anyone?

I'm actually getting these speakers for christmas and am planning on wall mounting them via the keyhole slots. I take it the narrow bookshelf you mention is pre-existing?

Can you tell if i would be able to flush mount the speakers to the wall over top of a wall plate or would I need to skip the wall plate? Maybe you could take a picture of the back for me?

15" between surrounds in a 5.1 setup will not be anywhere close to ideal. Your surround effects will be distorted and not very involving.

Each surround should be 120 degrees away from straight in front of you. Or 30 degrees back from your direct right or left. If that makes sense. And they should idealy be the same distance away from you as your center and left and right speakers. You can put them a little closer if you have to. You should also have them above ear level. Do a search for proper 5.1 layouts. You can improve your movie watching experience a great deal with some simple speaker positioning.

15" between surrounds in a 5.1 setup will not be anywhere close to ideal. Your surround effects will be distorted and not very involving.

Each surround should be 120 degrees away from straight in front of you. Or 30 degrees back from your direct right or left. If that makes sense. And they should idealy be the same distance away from you as your center and left and right speakers. You can put them a little closer if you have to. You should also have them above ear level. Do a search for proper 5.1 layouts. You can improve your movie watching experience a great deal with some simple speaker positioning.

Thanks for the info. I'm getting some speaker stands that will extend them to 42", sitting ear level is about 36". Unfortunately because of limited space I can't move them as far back as the fronts and center are forward, they can only be 3.5' to the side and about 1.5' back from listening position... I looked at several layouts and this is as close as I can get to optimal, I just can't get any closer to the TV. 6 feet away from a 52-inch TV is pushing it as it is, hopefully I still get a good surround effect.