Positioning of Surrounds Speakers

newbie

I'm setting up a new system and need help. I have a pair of R50's as front speakers, and want to use a pair of R20's as Surround Speakers. I have a couch that's flushed against the back wall. My wife doesn't like the look of hanging these R20's anywhere on the back wall or ceiling over the couch or putting the R20's on speaker stands on each side of the couch (not aesthestically pleasing she says...). When I tried simply putting the R20's on the hardwood floor facing front (each R20 1ft from each side of the couch), I didn't really get the good Surround feeling. Any other ideas on how to get the best possible Surround feeling from these R20's given my circumstances? Is it possible/proper to lay the R20's on their back so they face up towards the ceiling (would that damage the speakers)??

Thanks in advance.

gidrah

It would probably shorten their life at least.

Is this couch also your seating area? If so, take her out to dinner and "talk about it". If it isn't get one of those behind the couch tables, put a few plants on it (to take her eyes off the speakers) and go from there. If neither of these work out, try moving as far back as possible and do a tilt and angle thing going in order to point them toward the ceiling/wall corner. Point the left one above the end of the right side of the couch, and vice versa.

If none of this works, get some headphones and/or attorney.

John K.

N, welcome. If Mark's first suggestion about your wife doesn't work, then note that placing surround speakers on their backs firing at the ceiling is a fairly well-recognized technique. Although surround sound is supposed to come from the sides and rear rather than overhead, experiment; you may find that the effect isn't bad.

Willow

I have the couch against the back wall there is no way around it. I had my rears facing us but found the sound to directional right in to our ears. They have been on their backs now for about 3 months. I still get the effects of surround, and its much better than having them right in your ears.

Not sure if it will affect the life of the speakers though maybe drop a line to Polk customer service.

Eric W

Having speakers sitting on their backs wont significantly decrease its life, infact some of our older speakers (and many competitor's speakers) have their woofers downfiring. I have heard of large heavy subwoofers with a horizontal orientation getting suspension sag after years and years of sitting flat, but for tweeters and small midbass drivers such as the R20, it should be just fine. However, just be sure it is not in an area where people can step on it, get drinks spilled on it etc.