Speakers - advice on what to put them on

[Contentt]

Looking to get educated on what matters when you are placing speakers, here are some questions I had...

1. I've read you get better sound with speakers on stands than sitting on the floor, why is that?
2. Will speakers placed on a shelf or something like a dresser not sound as good as speakers on a speaker stand?
3. What materials can be placed in front of the speakers so sound quality won't be affected, anything that air can move through? So if I build a cabinet and want to put something across the front for a streamlined look.
4. If I hang the rear speakers from the ceiling, will the fact that they are not grounded reduce sound quality?
5. I've seen a foam looking product (name escapes me) that acts like a speaker stand, I believe to manage the vibrations, how good are these?
6. Planning to buy the Av123 Rocket center which is a big center, if I put this on a shelf actually sitting on top of my tv would this cause any issues?

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Haoleb]

You will most definetly get better sound from speakers putting them on stands vs on the floor. IF they are bookshelf speakers, which are meant to go on stands. Obviously, You wouldnt put floorstanding speakers- on stands.

Generally, you dont want to put speakers on a shelf or in a cabinet. This will most likely result in less than ideal placement. Many people still do it but you just need to know what your priorities are. Sound quality or The ability to blend them in.

The only material that can really be placed in front of speakers is speaker grill cloth. You can buy this in large amounts from various places online. But again, Putting them in a cabinet is not reccomended.

Hanging your surroundspeakers from the ceiling wont have any undesired effects unless they are poorly placed.

You may be thinking of something called the "subdude", made for subwoofers. Im not sure if they also make something for other speakers. I have never used one myself so I cant say how good they are but im not sure ive really seen anybody use them... ever. for anything other than subs. (that is if they make them for speakers)

You can put your center channel above or below the tv, You'll want to try and keep it as close to the tv as possible so that it sounds like the dialogue is actually coming from the tv, Depending how high or low you place it you may need to tilt it somewhat to more directly face the listeners.

 

[fredk]

Just to add to Haoleb's most excellent post, the reason you put bookself speakers on stands is to get the tweeters at ear level. This gives you the best sound.

 

[mazersteven]

2. Will speakers placed on a shelf or something like a dresser not sound as good as speakers on a speaker stand?

The reason you don't place speakers on a shelf, or dresser is so the sound waves don't reflect off the shelf, or dresser surface. On stands there is no obstruction, or reflection.

 

[mazersteven]

5. I've seen a foam looking product (name escapes me) that acts like a speaker stand, I believe to manage the vibrations, how good are these?

Auralex MoPads?
http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_mopad/sound_isolation_mopad.asp

SpeakerDudes?
http://www.auralex.com/sound_isolation_speakerdudes/speakerdudes.asp

 

[Contentt]

Yes

Yes MoPads that's what they were! So if I put a mopad under a speaker on a bookshelf for example would that work. We actually have these open bookshelves on the side of the tv that don't have sides so I was thinking these would be open enough to not obstruct the sound but let me know what you think.

 

[mazersteven]

Yes MoPads that's what they were! So if I put a mopad under a speaker on a bookshelf for example would that work. We actually have these open bookshelves on the side of the tv that don't have sides so I was thinking these would be open enough to not obstruct the sound but let me know what you think.

Another issue is rear porting of a speaker. Having a rear ported speaker to close to the wall will effect the performance, and sound.

 

[jcPanny]

Speaker location

Before you purchase, check out the speaker dimensions and weight. Those ladder type bookshelves are usually pretty shallow and the Onix Rocket speakers are quite deep. You would also want 2-3" behind the speaker for the rear port. Also keep in mind that the Rocket center is about 50 lbs. so the shelf needs to handle the wait and have room for the rear port.

A sealed speaker (Av123 X-cs) or a smaller model (ELT525 series) might work better with your placement limitations.