My situation is not quite ideal. Due to numerous things i can either mount my side surround speakers higher than ideal (about 6' off the ground) or lower than ideal (about 3' off the ground). This is due mostly to the fact that it has to be next to my entrance door and there is light switches and home security panel in the way of normal height. I think a shelf higher off the ground is ideal.

Also, would you mount the other side of the room at the same height? or put that at a more standard height?

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_nCA1Wt3qmK0/ScBnR7wKH1I/AAAAAAAAIH0/YB8sPkZ0Lnk/s512/P5170113.JPG

the speaker wire is run directly to the right side of the door and there is now light switches and security sensor above that.

6 feet off the ground is just fine. Make all the surrounds the same height if possible.

- Terry

yeah - you want the surrounds to be a couple feet higher than your seated ear position.
so 6' will work out fine.