Configuring Three Front Speakers with 4' Offset

[AugustB]

Hello, I'm trying to maximize space in my theater room so would like to put the screen against the far wall (180" screen). However I'm also committed to optimizing the layout for the very best sound quality, so want the speakers about 4 feet from the back wall.

The center speaker needs to track closely to the screen for off-axis viewers, so seems the center speaker needs to be against the wall with the screen. Are center speakers made to not need the same distance from back walls -- I ask because I so often see them mounted on back walls.

If the center speaker and screen are against the screen wall, is it a problem to then pull the left and right front speakers out 4 feet from the wall, or does that create problematic inconsistencies in blending with the center speaker that is four feet behind it in this scenario?

Using Martin Logan Theater i center and SL-3 speakers for left and right fronts. The room is fairly large 20' wide and about 40 ft long (screen as along the 20 foot wall). Screen is 180" and the SL-3 left/right speakers are on the sides of the screen, the center is underneath the screen (the screen is not audio transparent).

Thank you!

 

[lovinthehd]

Some speakers are better suited to wall mounting, hard to know from your description....you mean front wall? Where's the seating position(s)?

What are you using to adjust delays? If that is doing its job I wouldn't worry about speaker distance placement particularly....

 

[AugustB]

Yes, I mean front wall (with the screen and the three front HT speakers)

My ML Theater i center speaker will not be wall mounted, though others often do so seems it does not require a lot of distance from the wall. But i need the other speakers 4 feet out from the front wall.

Seating is centered about 15-20 feet out.

Is something supposed to be used to "adjust delays" I'm not familiar with that device, I'm new to hone theater. What is this type of device called?

 

[lovinthehd]

In the marketing influenced language it's labeled distance in most units.....what avr/pre/pro thingie ya got?

 

[AugustB]

Marantz SR7010.

So you set the distance for each of the individual speaker, and therefore just set the front side speakers for their closer distance than the center speaker in the AVR?

No issues with the sound waves traveling different distances between the front side speakers and the center?

 

[lovinthehd]

Just run the Audyssey setup routine, it will most likely set delay/distance more accurately than you can....distance particularly for an active sub has to allow for additional processing time in the sub's amp....

 

[AugustB]

Awesome, thank you!