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Speaker Positioning Question

902 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Kal Rubinson, May 18, 2007

R0CK632

Discussion Starter · May 17, 2007

Hey, Iam in the process of running my speaker cables in my new apartment and Have planned on getting a 5.1 channel System. My Room is Approximately 15x15. I have ran the wires to the upper four corners of the room (near ceiling) and was wondering if it will not sound as good having the speakers that high up.. Any Thoughts on the matter would be greatly appreciated. Iam not a fan of looking at the flat panel tv and seeing the speakers mounted on the wall right next to it. I feel it takes away from the look of having a flat screen on the wall. Thanks

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ssteel01

· #2 · May 17, 2007

Yes...it will not sound as good (as it could) if you have the speakers mounted in the ceiling corners. But, if asthetics are key, it'll just be a matter of determining whether or not they sound good enough located there.

If sound quality is key and free standing speakers are out of the question, you'd be better off with in-wall/on-wall LCR speakers.

Just my 2 cents.

Scott

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R0CK632

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 18, 2007

Thanks for your reply...Ive read that it wont sound as good but Iam not that picky, Iam just really wondering if it will sound bad...this is really my first surround sound system Iam getting so I dont have much to compare it too so as long as it sounds pretty good, I will be happy. Not looking to have the best of the best. Thanks!

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Jonomega

· #4 · May 18, 2007

try it, we definitely don't know what your brain considers "acceptable". I know for me, it would be utterly unacceptable but I only know because I tried it a couple times. Maybe the setup that is "visually less imposing" will actually work for you, but you will never know until you try

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craig john

· #5 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by R0CK632 /forum/post/0

Thanks for your reply...Ive read that it wont sound as good but Iam not that picky, Iam just really wondering if it will sound bad...this is really my first surround sound system Iam getting so I dont have much to compare it too so as long as it sounds pretty good, I will be happy. Not looking to have the best of the best. Thanks!

If you're "not that picky" and you only want "pretty good", why come here and ask the question in the first place? Just place the speakers where ever you want.

However, if you're going to spend the time, money and effort to install a 5.1 speaker system, why would you be willing to settle for "pretty good"? Speakers interact in bad ways with the boundaries surrounding them. Placing the speakers in the corners forces them to interact maximally with all three boundaries. I predict that the system you propose will sound appreciably worse than just having two speakers mounted to the left and right of the TV. It'll be echo-y, boomy and the imaging will be non-existant. It won't be "surround-sound", it'll be surrounded by BAD sound.

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but you asked the question. There is the answer.

Craig

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R0CK632

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 18, 2007

Thanks for all the replies, Any Suggestions on how to mount the speakers then...All the walls are still open and can still be changed. The Room is around 15 x 15 and the Left side is wide open to the dining room area, So the only corners would be on the right side (if you can picture that). Thanks again for the help.

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craig john

· #7 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by R0CK632 /forum/post/0

Thanks for all the replies, Any Suggestions on how to mount the speakers then...All the walls are still open and can still be changed. The Room is around 15 x 15 and the Left side is wide open to the dining room area, So the only corners would be on the right side (if you can picture that). Thanks again for the help.

If you're looking to optimize sound quality, we need to know a little more about your room and listening position. Let's start with the "optimal" speaker locations and listening positions:
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_e...oomlayout.html

Note that in these layouts, the listening position is well forward of the back wall and the speaker locations are not "in the corners". Based on these layouts, can your room support speaker locations that are better than "in the corners"? Also, what speakers are you considering? Mounting the speakers will be influenced by which speakers you're using.

Craig

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R0CK632

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 18, 2007

I was looking at this Onkyo system...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Onkyo...oductDetail.do

Also If I dont position the front speakers in the corners and in towards the tv more...can i still leave them up near the ceiling and point them down or is this not recommended.

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craig john

· #9 · May 18, 2007

For a HTiB, that should be a pretty good one. Those speakers are said to be wall-mountable. If so, ask the CC folks what wall-mounting brackets work with those speakers. Then mount the L/R's and the CC as far away from walls, floors, ceilings and especially corners as possible.

The sub may sound best in a corner, or it may sound best well away from a corner... it depends on the room, the sub and the listening position.

Craig

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R0CK632

Discussion Starter · #10 · May 18, 2007

Its going to be tough mounting them far from the walls, I am planning on purchasing the new samsung 52" LCD 1080p, And It will look quite funny having a flat screen and have the speakers away from the wall wouldnt you think?

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craig john

· #11 · May 18, 2007

Quote:
Originally Posted by R0CK632 /forum/post/0

Its going to be tough mounting them far from the walls, I am planning on purchasing the new samsung 52" LCD 1080p, And It will look quite funny having a flat screen and have the speakers away from the wall wouldnt you think?

Mounting the speakers "on-the-wall" will probaly be OK. This only puts them in proximitry of *one* wall; the wall behind the speakers. You just don't want to mount them "on-the-wall" and then so close to the corners that they are negatively impacted by the multiple boundaries.

Do they have any kind of "boundary compensation" capability?

Craig