How high should my surround sound speakers be above ear level

Ister
Ister Posts: 11
edited January 2011 in Basic Hookup/Wiring Questions
How high should my surround sound speakers be above ear level 5.1 setup 6" or we talking like 2' need to buy stands need to be sure on the height Thanks.
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  • jimmydep
    jimmydep Posts: 1,305
    edited January 2011
    I prefer the tweeters at or within a foot above ear level. I've tried them at 2 feet above and they sounded terrible.
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  • fishbones
    fishbones Posts: 947
    edited January 2011
    All I can tell you is don't go too high. I mounted some up near the ceiling once and they sounded terrible. The surrounds might as well have been in the next room they were so inaudible.
    ..... ><////(*>
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited January 2011
    Mine are LSi15s, so they are essentially at ear level. Why would the surrounds be higher than the mains?

    It irritates me I cannot put the center at the same height as the mains, since it would be blocking the TV. I need a projector with the center behind the screen at the same height as the mains.
    Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
    Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
    Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes

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  • Ister
    Ister Posts: 11
    edited January 2011
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Mine are LSi15s, so they are essentially at ear level. Why would the surrounds be higher than the mains?

    It irritates me I cannot put the center at the same height as the mains, since it would be blocking the TV. I need a projector with the center behind the screen at the same height as the mains.

    To answer your question dolbys website says to place surround sound speakers above ear level same with my receiver manual. Didn't seem to make much sense though I'll just place them at ear level thanks.
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited January 2011
    you'll be fine.. just put them were they'll work in the room.. I've had mine a just-above ear level for years and been happy with it..

    Surrounds are just adding a little spice to your movies/TV every now and then, don't get too cerebral =)

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • Earthy
    Earthy Posts: 488
    edited January 2011
    I have my LSFX about two feet above my ear level and they still get the job done. I originally had them lower, but needed them up for walking clearance.
    Polk Audio SDA SRS 2.3TL
    Parasound Halo A21
    Parasound Halo P3

    Home theater
    Polk LSiM 707, 706c, 703, 705
    Polk Blackstone TL3 for height
    SVS PB12-ISD Sub
    Denon AVR-X6400h
    Parasound Halo A51
    LG OLED65B7A
    Sony UBPX800
    Logitech Harmony Elite
    PC LSiM 703
    Spare LSIM 702 and 706c

    Home Theater #2
    Polk Audio LS70, CS350LS, LSF/X, S4
    Onkyo TX-NR808



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  • z3r0m4g3
    z3r0m4g3 Posts: 40
    edited January 2011
    I have Monitor 60's for my surrounds, and when I sit they are realtively close to ear level, and they were blasting my ears, so I had to move them and my Lounge chair father from each other, its now bearable. I agree with Keiko where it sounds best to you.
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,201
    edited January 2011
    Rear channel speakers would be mounted at 72 inches to the tweeter. This I have fond to work the best. 2 to 3 feet above ear height is spec.

    www.dolby.com
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • DanAckerman
    DanAckerman Posts: 70
    edited January 2011
    Due to the vagaries of my room, I have mine slightly above 3 feet above ear level. Audessey brought them right in and they work great. Possibly things sound a bit higher than they should sometimes with HT, but that is only a suspicion.
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  • mdaudioguy
    mdaudioguy Posts: 5,165
    edited January 2011
    Here's what Polk suggests:
    http://www.polkaudio.com/education/showanswer.php?question_num=78
    It probably also depends on your placement in your room - ie distance from the listeners.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2011
    2 to 3 feet above ear level works great. If they're at ear level and someone is sitting next to you they'll be blocking your surrounds.
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  • TORI3
    TORI3 Posts: 234
    edited January 2011
    I'm not the OP, but after reading this post I placed my rears, which are directly behind me, up a foot from their previous location (ear level). Wow! What an improvement.

    Obviously it'll all depends on your room and sitting position, but I'm happy I stumbled across this thread.
    HT: RTi8s, CSi3, RTi4s, HSU ULS-15, Pioneer Elite VSX-23TXH, Sunfire Cinema Seven.
    2CH: CJ MF2300, Parasound P3, PS Audio DLIII, Wadia 170i, Music Hall Maverick, Sierra-1s, Sunfire HRS8
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  • acmf74
    acmf74 Posts: 936
    edited January 2011
    Earthy wrote: »
    I have my LSFX about two feet above my ear level and they still get the job done. I originally had them lower, but needed them up for walking clearance.

    Same here. 2ft above work well.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,118
    edited January 2011
    I like 3 feet above seated ear level wall mounted.
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  • dvran
    dvran Posts: 280
    edited January 2011
    At ear level, or when mounted on the wall, you can angle them down towards the listening area.
    ~Dan

    Projector: Epson 705HD on 106" DaLite
    TV: Samsung 50" Plasma PN50B550
    Receiver: Onkyo 607
    Fronts: Polk 1000i
    Center: Polk Csi40
    Rears: Polk Fxi30
    Sub: Velodyne Minivee 10
    PS3 and Xbox
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  • JimAckley
    JimAckley Posts: 1,138
    edited January 2011
    I have my LSiFXs 2' above my ear and they sound fine. The biggest thing is to make sure you set your distances and calibrate the levels with an SPL meter
    - Computer Rig -
    YAΘIN MS-20L, polkaudio RT5

    - Main Rig -
    Pioneer SC-37, Overnight Sensations, Samsung 52" LCD

    - Currently In Progress -
    Curt Campbell's Uluwatu LCR, LMS Ultra Gjallarhorn, JBL W15GTi stereo subs, 2.1 entertainment system for the gf
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