[Xerin]

How would you suggest setting up my speakers for this room? I will be using the speakers along with a 50" hdtv (54.7" x 53.6" x 20.5"). With the damn fireplace taking up a big chunk of the room, I'm unsure on the best placement.


Also, would you suggest going with floorstanders in the rear or with dipole speakers mounted on the wall? Thanks!


http://trialsofascension.net/ht.jpg

 

[hometheaterguy]

I am not sure if it is on their web site, but I have this months AV Ultimate, by Stereophile that has a good diagram for your scenario. Their URL is: www.UltimateAVmag.com


Basically, they have the center speaker on the TV and the left to the left and right to the right. The sub is placed to the left (but the key to sub placement for your room acoustics is experimenting with it). They have a sofa placed parallel with the TV and surrounds placed to the sides. They are placed as if an imaginary line was draw between the listening position. There is another surround to the rear (6.1) but you could omit it, or chose a second rear for 7.1.

 

[Xerin]

Thanks, I might see if I can find a copy of the magazine somewhere. Looks like the article isn't available on their site.


So which of the walls in the living room would be best for the t.v. and front speakers? Is it better to have floorstanding rear speakers or dipoles mounted on the walls?

 

[hometheaterguy]

You are most welcome. You have chosen a proper placement for your TV in my opinion. Keep the mains on that same plane and the center speaker aligned with the mains. Keep all three front speakers at the same height (ear level per Dolby). The key to proper speaker placement is experimentation. With an open floor plan like yours you may require more than two surround speakers and even require two subwoofers. Dolby does not recommend dipoles, over monopoles, or bipoles or tripoles. They just suggest having all speakers timbre matched in a system (ideally identical satellites all the way around). Bad placement of surround speakers is a common problem in some home theaters. Having diffuse, non-directional sound that immerses you in the surround sound-field is best (even if you use direct-radiating cabinets). You can experiment aiming the surround sound at differing areas of the room. If you have large speakers you can use stands or even Omni-mount them. If you have small to medium sized speakers you can try stands or wall mounts as well. The key to avoiding localization witn surrounds is getting them 3' above your ears or higher.



A quick note on your room: rooms that open to other areas (like hallways, kitchens, etc.) have extremely complex acoustics that cannot be easily predicted. Since your home has an open floor-plan with archways leading from room to room, noise from your home theater pours throughout your entire home. You can often solve the noise problem and make your home theater room "near" rectangular by closing any openings with a hard, finished wall or doors. A design idea some pros and even do-it-your-selfers have tried is this" with your wide archway, as it opens to the another rooms, install exterior grade French Doors (with weatherstrip and threshold) in the opening. Just close the doors when playing a movie or music, and reopen them after the show to restore the open floor plan. Hope this helps.

 

[Xerin]

Actually, what you see in the lower left corner of the room layout is the fireplace. It's frustrating, because it takes up such a large chunk of the room and I'm never likely to use it living in Dallas! I would love to have the luxury of installing French doors, but since it is an apartment my options are very limited.


What do you think about having the t.v. along the left wall next to the fireplace? The couch would be along the right wall. I could then have either rear floorstanders to either side of the couch, or dipoles mounted on the right wall above the couch. Which would sound better? The dipoles would be more diffuse, but aren't they supposed to be mounted on side walls instead of behind?

 

[DMF]

I'd put it (or try to put it) on the wall between the fireplace and the front door. R speaker behind the front door. L speaker over the fireplace.

 

[Xerin]

Thanks DMF, that's what I was thinking as well. I just placed an order for Rocket 750s for the front, a 200 center channel, and 300 dipoles for rear speakers. I can mount my two dipoles on the opposite (right) wall over the couch. I also ordered an SVS PB10, and guess it will take some experimentation on where to place that. Still not sure where to put my center channel, since I'll be getting a Samsung 5085 and there's no room on the top for it.

 

[hometheaterguy]

"The dipoles would be more diffuse, but aren't they supposed to be mounted on side walls instead of behind?" Yes, that is the correct THX recommendation. As for the center speaker you could try a very short speaker stand. Try and get the center as close to the main speaker height as possible.