View Full Version : Speaker Placement
lsmd69
02-17-2005, 06:26 PM
I Was Wondering If I Would Be Ok To Place A Center Speaker 3 Feet About The Tv Set. I Read That It Is Recommended To Place It Either Right On Top Of The Tv Or Below The Set. Would I Get Horrible Sound If I Place It 3 Feet Above It??
yoloyd
02-17-2005, 06:28 PM
I put mine below the set and it didn't sound as good as right above the set. Just try it before you run any wires.
lsmd69
02-17-2005, 06:43 PM
Well, what i plan on doing is placing each speaker on every corner of the room and the center speaker right smack in the center right above the tv set. Would this be a wise idea?
Adam77
02-17-2005, 06:51 PM
If it sounds and looks the way you want it to, then go for it.
Angle it down so that it "faces" the viewers. It might sound OK.
lsmd69
02-17-2005, 07:29 PM
Why might it sound OK?
An ideal placement would be exactly between the LF & RF speakers. This is often not possible, so the "closer the better", but we all make compromizes.
For example as a car passes from left to right, you'd hear it go "up" as it went "through" the center speaker. This is not ideal.
There is also a LOT of dialogue in movies that comes from the center. If if "comes from too far above" it might sound more like "the voice of God" than a person on the screen speaking.. ;)
Kal Rubinson
02-17-2005, 08:29 PM
Why might it sound OK?
Corners are generally bad places to put speakers.
Kal
Thanks for the catch Kal, I hadn't noticed that. Most speakers are designed to be placed at least 1 foot, probably 2-3' from a back wall or corner.
lsmd69
02-17-2005, 09:53 PM
in that case i will be putting the speakers 1 1/2 feet away from the corners...thanks guys...but before i do, why is it bad to put speakers in corners?
Splicer
02-17-2005, 11:17 PM
The corners reverberate the frequencies emitted.
What's best is to read the manual that comes with the speakers to see what the manufacturer recommends with regard to speaker placement. It's also best to know this before purchasing, so that you have the appropriate environment for your speakers.
This is often why people may "love" the speakers in the store and then "not love" them in their homes.
If you place a speaker in a corner, that was not designed to go there (most aren't) the bass frequencies will be boosted and the frequency response will not be as flat as it should be. Also the wall reflections may produce sounds you don't like. I don't want to get all technical, so I'll leave it at that.
Splicer
02-18-2005, 02:19 AM
At the store I really disliked my BOSE speakers in my signature. I bought 'em anyway and took them home to audition. I never returned them.
:headscrat ....... :confused:
Splicer
02-18-2005, 03:28 AM
:headscrat ....... :confused:
To me, auditioning speakers MUST be done in YOUR environment. Just as I disliked Bose in the store, but loved them in my environment, I also bought speakers that sounded good in the store, but sounded like crap at home.
pipxterra
02-18-2005, 12:47 PM
Here's a good place to start. http://dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html
Remember the 2/3 rule for starters. You can play from there.
The distance between the front speakers shold be 2/3 the distance between the monitor and your listening position. So if you are 9' away from your monitor, place the fronts 6 feet apart. If you want a broader soundfield (Larger "sweet spot") aim them straight forward. If there's just two of you that listen aim them so that the speaker is directed towards your listening area. By the same token like someone else said, If you are happy with where you have placed them....leave them there.
