Best Position for Rear Speakers

[gnagel]

What is the best alternative for placing my rear speakers?

The challenge is that the seating rests nearly against the back wall. There is only an inch or two of space between the back of the home theatre seating and the wall.

So, I'm wondering which of the following alternative is best:

1) Place the speakers in-wall on in the rear of the room on the side walls (I've attempted to attach a diagram of the room.)

2) Place the speakers on the back wall of the room, or

3) Place the speakers on the ceiling over the seating.

Thanks!

 

[Jack Hammer]

You could try placing them on the back walls with the speaker firing up toward the ceiling. You may just have to experiment with the placement and see which sounds better to you.

 

[mtrycrafts]

What is the best alternative for placing my rear speakers?

The challenge is that the seating rests nearly against the back wall. There is only an inch or two of space between the back of the home theatre seating and the wall.

So, I'm wondering which of the following alternative is best:

1) on the side walls (I've attempted to attach a diagram of the room.)



Thanks!

]

I would strongly recommend it on the side wall towards the back firing to the seating position, not too high up the wall if you can.

 

[gnagel]

I would strongly recommend it on the side wall towards the back firing to the seating position, not too high up the wall if you can.

I can place the speakers on the side walls. I'm thinking of going in-wall with them.

Since the seating will be practically on the back wall, the best I can achieve with these speakers is about a 90 degree angle from the listening area. Will that be sufficient?

I can place them at any height. Would you recommend placing them about two or three feet above the listening area?

Thanks!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Place them as close to ear level as possible. If not, place the drivers at even height with your fronts and center channel.

 

[Buckle-meister]

Argh! Pull that couch away from the wall!

Regards

 

[gnagel]

Argh! Pull that couch away from the wall!

My diagram is not exactly to scale. The "couch" is actually three large Barcalounger recliners (their home theatre line). From the back wall to the front wall is only 11 feet. So, at this point, the viewer is only about 7 to 8 feet from the television. I can only move it away from the wall so far.

I will move it forward five or inches, though. Maybe that will help with the rear speakers...

 

[Buckle-meister]

From the back wall to the front wall is only 11 feet. So, at this point, the viewer is only about 7 to 8 feet from the television. I can only move it away from the wall so far.

I can relate; I presently live in a small room too.

I will move it forward five or inches, though. Maybe that will help with the rear speakers...

Actually, I was meaning more for the front. I really do appreciate your space constraints, but drawing the seats even one or two feet from the wall should, in my opinion result in a noticably clearer sound. How does the distance you currently sit from the speakers relate to the distance between them?

Regards

 

[mtrycrafts]

I can place the speakers on the side walls. I'm thinking of going in-wall with them.

Since the seating will be practically on the back wall, the best I can achieve with these speakers is about a 90 degree angle from the listening area. Will that be sufficient?

I can place them at any height. Would you recommend placing them about two or three feet above the listening area?

Thanks!

I would not place them at ear level on the side wall and not in wall. I would place them about 2 ft above your head in the seating position, if that is amenable. At ear level, the sound will be coming directly at you. That is not what you want in a surround sound but an envelopment of sound from the sides and rear. At that 90 deg position is fine.

 

[gnagel]

Actually, I was meaning more for the front. I really do appreciate your space constraints, but drawing the seats even one or two feet from the wall should, in my opinion result in a noticably clearer sound. How does the distance you currently sit from the speakers relate to the distance between them?

I will try to move the seats as far away from the back wall as possible. Again, the space is very limited given that the back wall is only 11 feet from the front wall to begin with. The 50" TV screen will only be eight feet from the seating with the seats pressed against the back wall. So, if I move the seating up two feet, the seating will now only be six feet from the monitor.

The front speakers will be approximately six feet apart from each other and seven or eight feet from the seating.

Each rear speaker will be 6 feet away from the center seat.

 

[gnagel]

I would not place them at ear level on the side wall and not in wall. I would place them about 2 ft above your head in the seating position, if that is amenable. At ear level, the sound will be coming directly at you. That is not what you want in a surround sound but an envelopment of sound from the sides and rear. At that 90 deg position is fine.

I certainly don't have to go with in-wall speakers. I could mount the speakers on the side wall at any height.

I will look at mounting them on the wall about two feet above my head.

Thanks!

 

[mtrycrafts]

I certainly don't have to go with in-wall speakers. I could mount the speakers on the side wall at any height.

I will look at mounting them on the wall about two feet above my head.

Thanks!

When you have found that rear speakers, you may want to temporarily experiment with height and couch position. You may not have to move it forward two feet.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I would not place them at ear level on the side wall and not in wall. I would place them about 2 ft above your head in the seating position, if that is amenable. At ear level, the sound will be coming directly at you. That is not what you want in a surround sound but an envelopment of sound from the sides and rear. At that 90 deg position is fine.

Surround sound is not on all the time. In fact, it's rarely on unless you use a 5 or 7 channel dsp mode. I disagree with the above post. I see no issues with in walls in a small room. You certaintly don't want a larger bookshelf hanging over your head, completely missing your seating position. In walls now come with directional tweeters, so you can angle them towards the listening position - should they be placed too high in the room. You can mount them up to 2' above the listening position if necessary, and even with or slightly behind the listening position.

 

[mulester7]

Surround sound is not on all the time. In fact, it's rarely on unless you use a 5 or 7 channel dsp mode

.....Buck, when a 7.1 surround receiver is pre-pro'ing 7 channel stereo, do the rear surround speakers experience stereo like the surrounds and fronts?....that would be the "left" stereo signal, going to rear surround speaker "left", and the "right" stereo signal, going to rear surround speaker "right".....or, do the rear surround speakers emit only mono or matrix even when the setting at pre-pro level is 7 channel stereo?.......

 

[jeffvee]

Surround speaker placement

My set up is almost exactly the same as yours. I agree with another here, place the speakers on your side walls facing each other at about 1' above ear level. I tried them at several locations and found that that is the best for optimal sound reproduction. I think you will very pleased.

 

[mtrycrafts]

My set up is almost exactly the same as yours. I agree with another here, place the speakers on your side walls facing each other at about 1' above ear level. I tried them at several locations and found that that is the best for optimal sound reproduction. I think you will very pleased.

Why don't you do an experiment? Turn your back on your front speakers and see if the imaging matters? Surround speakers give space to the soundfield with some general directionality.

 

[louhamilton]

My configuration is identical to yours. Room is about 14.5 x 11.5.

I have not done an SPL test or anything, just by ear, but I am happy with the following configuration with some cheap Sony Satellites.

Center = 8.5 ft. from listening position sitting on top of television pointing downward.
Fronts = 10.5 ft from listening position mounted on front wall 6 inches from ceiling pointed downward off center of listening position (gives better front stage separation).
Rears = 7 ft from listening position mounted from ceiling facing each other and slightly to front and downward.

I think the full surround is very satisfying. Scenes from Fast and Furious are very realistic from left rear to right front.

Just my suggestion.

-Lou