Specific speaker placement: corner layout, in-ceiling speakers.

marybcole

We are remodelling and unexpectedly had to replace a ceiling. We are planning a 37" or 42" plasma in a corner location. Opposite corner of the room is open to bar/kitchen. This arrangement (along with Tweeter center recommendation) has caused us to look at Polk in-ceiling speakers. TC610is? Will figure out exact model later.

We'd like to run the speaker wire while the electrician is here (now, unfortunately), and need some specific advice on speaker location for a 5.1 setup. I don't want to wing it, and Tweeter was a bit evasive.

Room size is 17x 17, with 8' ceiling.
(Edit: my crude drawing didnt work)

Questions:
How far apart should the front speakers be, and how far in front of TV?
How far apart should the rear speakers be, and how far behind the seating?

(I have viewed the setup on Dolby.com, which makes it look like fronts should be in line with the center channel, which likely wont be an option due to the "squish" in the corner. Also challenged by the "L" of the seating in terms of rear speaker placement.)

MANY THANKS!

WilliamM2

Does the TV have to be in the corner? That's about the worst arrangement you can have for HT.

Dennis Gardner

It should be okay if the fronts are in front of the center channel in a corner setup if you have the ability to adjust the distance to each speaker in your receiver setup.
The in ceiling speakers have aimable tweeters to help with direction so I would put them behind and to the side of your seating if possible, aimed toward your seats.

Welcome to CP.

Dennis

Tour2ma

Yup... should be able to distance compensate, but how are you going to overcome the severe, 90 degree, "toe-in" of in wall mains in a corner set up?

marybcole

Speakers would be in-ceiling, not in-wall. I am a newbie, so I am not sure I understand the "toe-in" issue...does the in-ceiling setup solve this?

Also, corner setup is unavoidable due to room layout (windows, doors, etc). Also opposite corner is open to bar / kitchen area where I'd also like to be able to view TV.

Dennis Gardner

Toe-in is angling the front speakers to your listening area. Normally placing speakers in line with the wall would let them open up to the listening area, but in your room putting them with the wall "closes" them together.

Just angle them toward your seating without regard to the wall, and you should be fine. The corner setup is a compromise (due to side walls) from what most consider a perfect audio setup, but you aren't trying to replicate a giant theater, you are putting in a living room AV center.

Enjoy,

Dennis

Tour2ma

Fronts in the ceiling? Where and what will the center be? Box speaker atop the TV?

And on the distance from rears to your listening position, I think 4' is a good rule of thumb for direct radiators.