[Jellyman]

Side-Surround placement


My question is if I am going to set up two rows of seating where should the side surrounds be placed? Just behind the first row and slightly ahead of the back row? Behind the back row? I'm setting up a 7.1 system so if I go to far back I'll be encroaching on the rear surrounds.


BTW: My surrounds are dipoles (actually Axiom Qs8 quadrapoles)


I'm running wires and bracing for the speakers now and need some help.


Thanks in advance.

 

[JHallman]

Between the two rows is my suggestion. With 7.1 you don't want to get too close to the back. If the first row is your perferred seating, you could maximize the sound for this row. Visitors to the second row will probably not notice.

 

[RhinoDude]

It depends on if you are trying balance things across all rows / seats, so everybody gets really good performance, or are you designing so that a few select seats (ie yours) get great performance and everybody else suffers a touch?


Another consideration: most of the time when the theater is in use will everybody fit into one row? Or is it more probable that both rows will be in use when theater is in use?


If you are not treating one row "better" than the other, then putting them smack between the two as Jeff suggests is the right choice. The same goes if you think most of the time when the theater is in use both rows will be in use (and you aren't greedy . Obviously you normally want your ears placed right the middle of the null of the dipoles. If you can get most of both rows in that null are then great. If not you have a decision to make.


It all comes down to how you see the theater used. Do you want to be a bit selfish and have the best surround where you will always sit? Or do you want to sacrifice a bit and share the wealth?


Personally, I'm greedy. I would favor the row I would be sitting in. You don't have to pull the speakers all the way even to it, but within 1' or so would be nice.


Also, are you going with recliner seating, fixed seating or traditional theater seating? With traditional theater seating the rows are much more tighly packed and this is less of an issue. With recliners it is the exact opposite and there can be 6' between rows.


What is the geometry of the null are for those speakers? In other words, what is the offset angle of the drivers? This combined with the room width and your seating placement can help you determine how far forward (or backward) you can push the speakers before seating starts to fall out of the null area. Obviously the closer to the middle of the null area, the better it will sound.


- Rhino