My side surrounds are 2 ft. above and a little behind the listening position. Should the sides be aimed at each other or aimed at the sweet spot? Also, should they be pointed down at the sweet spot?

The Dolby website gives a good guide for speaker positioning.

My side surrounds are 2 ft. above and a little behind the listening position. Should the sides be aimed at each other or aimed at the sweet spot? Also, should they be pointed down at the sweet spot?Aimed at the sweet spot. Whether you actually point them down is your call. At that height, some like to. Some don't. Either way, you'll calibrate them for your sweet spot. If they seem too localizable, you can leave them aimed horizontally.

Aimed at the sweet spot. Whether you actually point them down is your call. At that height, some like to. Some don't. Either way, you'll calibrate them for your sweet spot. If they seem too localizable, you can leave them aimed horizontally.

Cool thanks. I looked at a few websites (including dolby) and they don't say whether to point them across at each other or towards the sweet spot. I guess I will experiment to see which sounds best but I was wondering if there was an official "recommended" position.

Aimed at the sweet spot. Whether you actually point them down is your call. At that height, some like to. Some don't. Either way, you'll calibrate them for your sweet spot. If they seem too localizable, you can leave them aimed horizontally.

I disagree. Pointing side surrounds to the sweet spot will cause localization of the sound effects. They should in fact never be pointed to the sweet spot. They should be pointed towards each other.

Hanging them high is good since it will ensure they can be heard from all listening positions.

I disagree. Pointing side surrounds to the sweet spot will cause localization of the sound effects. They should in fact never be pointed to the sweet spot. They should be pointed towards each other.Maybe you should check the Dolby recommendation for 5.1.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout2.html

My side surrounds are 2 ft. above and a little behind the listening position.

Maybe you should check the Dolby recommendation for 5.1.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout2.html

Dolby appears to show that they should be pointed at the sweet spot. But they don't mention anything about whether they speakers mounted above the head should actually be tilted down or not. I have them aimed above my head right now as I watch Bolt blu ray. It sounds fine to me so I think I'll keep it there.

I disagree. Pointing side surrounds to the sweet spot will cause localization of the sound effects. They should in fact never be pointed to the sweet spot. They should be pointed towards each other.

Hanging them high is good since it will ensure they can be heard from all listening positions.

If you calibrate while not aimed at the sweet spot , won't that make the volume level higher and thus just as non directional as having them pointed at the sweet spot?
Did that make sense?

If you calibrate while not aimed at the sweet spot , won't that make the volume level higher and thus just as non directional as having them pointed at the sweet spot?
Did that make sense?Not sure what you are asking, but wherever or however you have them pointing, they would need to be calibrated properly. If they are not pointing at the sweet spot, that may require setting them at a higher level than would be required were they pointed at the sweet spot. But, whether they are pointed at the sweet spot or not, calibrating them too loudly will increase the chance of them being localizable.

I changed mine from pointing at the sweet spot to facing each other (they are about 3 feet above ear level), than ran the Denon cali test.
They are louder for sure but are also less in your face (side of head), how much is Placebo i don't know but i think i'll keep them like this.