7.1 Speaker Layout

[Nab89]

I want to install a 7.1 surround sound system in my room for my PC. I know this isn't for a home theater but it's the same concept. The position of the PC has made it difficult to decide where to put the speakers and I would like your advice.

The speaker system I'm thinking of getting is Creative's Gigaworks S750. Note I only want the speakers for gaming.

Here is a plan of the room with a suggestion for the speaker layout:

The PC is under the bed on a desk. Here the back speakers are located above the bed and wardrobe. The left speaker is on the windowsill, and the right mounted on the wall, below the bed. The left front speaker is in the corner and the right directly across the room on the right.

Would this layout be suitable? Are there any suggestions.

I have also made an alternative layout:

Here the back speakers are below the bed just to the left and right behind the PC. The left and right speakers haven't changed position. The front speakers are just to the left and right of the PC in front.

Any comments about this layout?

Although I would preffer a 7.1 speaker system, perhaps you think 5.1 would be better? any layout suggestions?

Any help will be much appreciated.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

As long as you can adjust the dB on each speaker, the first layout would work better. The speaker next to your head would almost need to be turned off to hear the others. I'm assuming your gaming software is at least 6.1 encoded, right? If not, a 5.1 is really all you need.

 

[Nab89]

Ok thanks for the advice, I'll consider the 5.1 surround sound.

 

[Nab89]

Does anyone know where I can get hold of Gigaworks ProGamer G500 5.1 surround sound system for the UK?

I can't find it anywhere, not even on Creative's euro shop.

 

[Audioholics]

Attached is my recommendation for best sound and positioning, assuming you care only about gaming as you indicated.

The surrounds should face each other, not you - for a more diffuse sound field. If, however, you find that the games require more pinpoint sounds (which coudl definitely be the case), then go ahead and point them at you - it depends on what type of surround experience you typically get/desire with the games you play.

Bring those L/R mains in - they are near fields - don't place them so far away.

Swing the desk around so you can be centered in the sound field.

 

[Nab89]

Wow, thanks for the advice, il definetely consider it. Looks very reasonable.

 

[Nab89]

Hey Clint, could you just explain which speakers are left-back, right-back ect on your diagram?

 

[jaxvon]

On the right hand side of the diagram, near the PC, the speakers are, from top to bottom on the page, Left, Center, Right. On the left side of the page, going from top to bottom, the speakers are left surround, rear center, right surround.

 

[corey]

The left rear is by the TV. That's your left when you're facing foreward.

 

[abboudc]

am i missing something or are there only 6 speakers in the pic, and not 7?

 

[Nab89]

I just got a little confused because of what was on this page:

http://www.audioholics.com/techtips/setup/loudspeakers/hometheaterspeakerlayout.php

But I guess you can configure the speakers to suit different layouts. Thanks for the info.