In ceiling surround placement

[ivseenbetter]

I have Aim Wide One's from Speakercraft that I want to use for the side channels in a 7.2 setup. Unfortunately I'm not sure how to best place them. I have a fairly long room (33ft) with two rows of seating. The first row is placed a few feet in front of center in the room and the second row is just slightly behind the center point in the room. Should I place these speakers so that they split the distance between the two rows or should they be behind both rows? I'm planning to place them spread apart so that they are roughly in line with the outside most seat.

Anyway, suggestions are helpful. Since they are inceiling I don't feel like I can really "play" with different placements. I have to pick one and hope for the best.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[mazersteven]

I'm thinking they should be placed just slightly behind the first row of seats.

 

[jostenmeat]

Mazer's suggestion is how mine is right now. Reason? More ideal for the sweet spot, being the front row, where I sit probably 80-90% of the time. However, its too far forward of the rear row. They are toed in some for the front row, and having it less "direct" to the rear row actually helps ameliorate the negative effect of forward-sounding surrounds a bit, if only by being a bit quieter...

I would like to try some bipolars someday soon for greater coverage. A tip I picked up in the How To Calibrate A Multirow Theater audioholics article.

So.... that's a tough cookie... but my present idea is to actually install two sets of side surrounds. One for each row. Ok, in your sig I see a receiver + amp (how many channels?). To get dual rows of side surrounds, you'll have to use both receivers surround amp channels AND the side surround pre-outs to the Emotiva. Then level match.

You can just install speakers for now, and amplify later... but just in case its easy to do this all now at the same time... its an idea.

Whaddya think?

If you end up hating it, you can always just forget the rear row for instance, disconnect them, remove em, sell em, return em, something. I bet you might like it though! Something I think about time to time... though never have tried it.

How many ft is it from front to back row (same point to same point)? How wide is it from left-most viewers head to right-most viewer's head?

cheers.

 

[ivseenbetter]

I'm thinking they should be placed just slightly behind the first row of seats.

Thanks. I was thinking I would split the difference between the first row and the last. I worry that putting them in front of the second row will create a situation where the sound that should be coming from the sides appears to be coming from the front for anybody who sits in the second row.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Mazer's suggestion is how mine is right now. Reason? More ideal for the sweet spot, being the front row, where I sit probably 80-90% of the time. However, its too far forward of the rear row. They are toed in some for the front row, and having it less "direct" to the rear row actually helps ameliorate the negative effect of forward-sounding surrounds a bit, if only by being a bit quieter....

I'm worried about that very point. I don't want to ruin the second row experience.

So.... that's a tough cookie... but my present idea is to actually install two sets of side surrounds. One for each row. Ok, in your sig I see a receiver + amp (how many channels?). To get dual rows of side surrounds, you'll have to use both receivers surround amp channels AND the side surround pre-outs to the Emotiva. Then level match.

You can just install speakers for now, and amplify later... but just in case its easy to do this all now at the same time... its an idea.

Whaddya think?

If you end up hating it, you can always just forget the rear row for instance, disconnect them, remove em, sell em, return em, something. I bet you might like it though! Something I think about time to time... though never have tried it.

My Emotiva only has 3 channels and is being set up for the front stage. I only have one set of side preouts on my receiver so I can't go that route without purchasing another receiver...and I don't think the wife will buy off on that .

How many ft is it from front to back row (same point to same point)? How wide is it from left-most viewers head to right-most viewer's head?

cheers.

Front to the back row is about 7 ft. Left viewer to the Right viewer is about 10 ft.

 

[jostenmeat]

I'm worried about that very point. I don't want to ruin the second row experience.

Yes, this is very clear. Why do you think I spent all time making that post?

My Emotiva only has 3 channels and is being set up for the front stage. I only have one set of side preouts on my receiver so I can't go that route without purchasing another receiver...and I don't think the wife will buy off on that.

Yes, I'm very aware that there exists only one pre-out per channel. You don't need a receiver. A two ch amp is perfectly fine. For instance, you can add a Behringer A500 for $200 or less. In fact, Id probably look for even cheaper. Say $100 for a 2 ch amp.

Front to the back row is about 7 ft. Left viewer to the Right viewer is about 10 ft.

Mine is more like 6ft. IMO, you probably will really enjoy the dual side surrounds.

Word of warning. I might try to be as sure as sure can be with seated position. FWIW, I moved mine forward, then more forward, then a little backward, all in the last 6 months. All of my speakers are free-standing, so not much issue, but for you there is a bit of concern. JMO, but get video right first for a movie theater.

 

[mazersteven]

I worry that putting them in front of the second row will create a situation where the sound that should be coming from the sides appears to be coming from the front for anybody who sits in the second row.

Also look at it as a way from keeping the neighbors from always finding their way over to your house to watch movies.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Yes, this is very clear. Why do you think I spent all time making that post?



Yes, I'm very aware that there exists only one pre-out per channel. You don't need a receiver. A two ch amp is perfectly fine. For instance, you can add a Behringer A500 for $200 or less. In fact, Id probably look for even cheaper. Say $100 for a 2 ch amp.



Mine is more like 6ft. IMO, you probably will really enjoy the dual side surrounds.

Word of warning. I might try to be as sure as sure can be with seated position. FWIW, I moved mine forward, then more forward, then a little backward, all in the last 6 months. All of my speakers are free-standing, so not much issue, but for you there is a bit of concern. JMO, but get video right first for a movie theater.

I guess I was just not understanding what you wrote. The more I think about it the more like it sounds like something I could pull off. I would have to add it later though so I may just install for the best sound possible for the front row and then add the other speakers later. I guess I thought it was more complicated than it really is.

 

[ivseenbetter]

Also look at it as a way from keeping the neighbors from always finding their way over to your house to watch movies.

Excellent point!