Just Dove into my First HT

[Vattonito]

Hey All,

Just looking for a little advice here! I just purchased my first HT system and looking to get it setup in a multi-use family room. I know this isn't ideal, and I just need to work with the hand I have been dealt here. But, I have seen some conflicting information on surround placement in a 5.1 system. Also, unfortunately my couch is against the rear wall.

Equipment:

Denon 4300H receiver
Polk s50 Towers
Polk s30 Center
Polk s10 Surround
SVS PB-1000 Sub

Room:

The room is about 11'x15' but I'm really only looking for the sound stage to be setup in about 11'x9' area. The couch and main viewing/listening seat is located about 8.5 ft from the TV. I currently put the speakers on stands behind the couch, but I am worried that the people that are sitting left or right of center will have a bad experience. I did purchase some mounts for the wall, but my concern is that there seems to be a lot of conflicting info on if the speakers should be toed in towards the MLP, face forward, or be pointed at each other.

Thanks for the help!

 

[fuzz092888]

In a 5.1 setup speaker placement for the surrounds is somewhat flexible. You can either have them 90 degrees to the main LP and up to 20 degrees behind the main LP.

It’s hard to see based on your picture, but if possible those need to be wall mounted a little more lateral to the main LP.

Again, hard to see, but anyone seated left or right is going to be more surround volume from whatever speaker they’re next to. Them’s The breaks in a small room.

This image shows the speakers about 20 degrees behind the main LP which is where I’d probably recommend (between 10-20 degrees) for a 5.1 setup.

 

[Vattonito]

Thank you for the response. I'm sorry, I know it is hard to see with the dark blue walls. My big problem with the couch is I don't really have room to pull it out much more than it is. I could probably at most, get another 6 inches from that picture. So, I don't think I can truly get the 20 degree. I could try mounting a bit higher and firing more downward though.

 

[fuzz092888]

Thank you for the response. I'm sorry, I know it is hard to see with the dark blue walls. My big problem with the couch is I don't really have room to pull it out much more than it is. I could probably at most, get another 6 inches from that picture. So, I don't think I can truly get the 20 degree. I could try mounting a bit higher and firing more downward though.

I didn’t mean hard to see because of the walls, I meant hard to see in terms of the narrow view of the picture. Without a drawing of the room or more pictures it’s hard to say exactly where the best speaker positioning might be. With surrounds, height wise is a little more flexible and in fact you generally want the tweeter of the surrounds about 1-2 feet above ear height.

 

[Vattonito]

Gotcha! Here are some wider shots of the viewing/listening

 

[fuzz092888]

Which is current? The speakers on the stands behind the couch or the speakers on the wall?

 

[Vattonito]

Sorry, I should have made clear. The speakers on the wall came from a very old HTIB that I replaced with an actual HT system. The ones on the stands are the new Polk S10's. I did buy mounts for the Polk S10's as well, but stands were path of least resistance (and drilling). I am totally willing to mount again though if that will achieve a more optimal position.

 

[fuzz092888]

I would wall mount. Put the tweeters about 2 ft above ear height and angle down.

 

[Vattonito]

Thanks for the help! I appreciate it.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I would wall mount. Put the tweeters about 2 ft above ear height and angle down.

I agree with this.

Small rooms are tough, but ya do what ya can.

 

[Leemix]

A bit up on back wall as others have written is a good idea and you can also consider lowering the volume on rear speakers a little if you or others in the couch find them a bit overwhelming compared to front.


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