Another Speaker Placement Thread w/pics

J_Kennedy

Yes, watermarked and all, I have a fancy pic of the layout.

The side surrounds is the main issue and the fronts are pretty much stuck where they are.

The position where they are directly across form each other would put them at least at 8' off the ground as one will be over a door. Since they are dipole/bipole, I've seen drawings with them on the back wall, even with 7.1 rear surrounds as they'd be firing in different directions.

If they are staggered, they can be lower to the ground, but not by much.

Sub A B C is a secondary concern. Sub placement shown up by the TV is actually up about 18" off the ground on a fireplace harth. That wall is all built-ins with a fireplace in the center. It'll also be about 1-1.5 feet from the RTi8's in the front.

Against the wall on the side is an option, but I'm not sure how good of one.

Back on the back wall would be great in a full corner, but will be about a 40-45' run of wire if I go through the attic. I don't want to go under the carpet as that may be replaced with wood soon.

Rear surrounds really aren't a problem as the back wall is open. The ceiling is 11' so the walls are tall.

Viewing area really can't change. I've been racking my brain for alternate layouts with the furniture so the TV gets the big wall, but nothing works.

Any comments or suggestions on placement of the surrounds are welcome.

J_Kennedy

Wow, as active as this forum is, I figured there would be 10 replies with 12 different opinions so far.

Should I make speaker placement A, B, or C as a Poll? Just kidding, I won't start no stink'n poll.

I think Sub placement C is optimal in this case, but opinions on side surrounds would really help. Please??

AndyGwis

I think Sub C looks like the best option.

Not sure about A or B for surrounds. I think either would work fine, probably lean towards A.

Can you either move your TV so it's in the corner point between the couches, or move it right along the wall so it's facing the middle of the left couch? I think having the front speakers further apart will help the front soundstage. Looks kind of crowded in that corner facing the way it is.

ShinAce

I vote for position C on the rears, even if it is not ideal.

Try the sub in both A and C and see which fairs out better.

J_Kennedy

You're right, it is crowded. But I haven't come up with any other layout that will work. It's a pass through room and the top wall that shows the door, is a double French to the back yard. It's a decent sized room but laid out where a lot of space is wasted. I'd like to put it along the left long wall where I could spread the fronts, but then the Surround placement issue is worse.

I think tuning it all will be tricky, but more critical than usual.

I'm also wondering if in position a or b, reversing the surrounds might be an option if I do a 5.1 only. That way they will be primarily firing to the main listening area.

wizzy

Just buy three subs, then all your placement problems are solved!

I like A, or C, for sub myself. It's weird though, only trying and listening will really work.

J_Kennedy

I think the sub is easy to figure out. I'll have to listen to it and it's got some flexibility.

The surrounds are what have me baffled the most. A B or C?

I saw a drawing showing C using 4 dipole and bipole to spread the sound in the right directions for the side and rear's. That might work, if I do 7.1 right now. I might could put the sides right in the back corners too.

J_Kennedy

So, I've gotten a "professional" opinion (for free ) that I should use 5.1 surround option C, with the surrounds on the back wall but to move them in a little closer. The idea makes sense and goes further.

1) It will get the sound wrapping around the primary listening area vs. the sides where they'll be a little too far ahead.

2) If I put them closer together on the back wall, when/if I do a 7.1 system, those become the rear surrounds and all I may need to do is flip them around. The new side surrounds still won't be ideal, but with 2 rears and 2 sides it becomes less of a bad thing.

Any opinions or does anyone have a 5.1 with the surrounds in the rear using bipole/dipole speakers have any suggestions or comments?