Question about surround sound layout

[gkeong]

Hi,

I bought a pair of Paradigm ADP-470s today and was wondering if someone can provide some suggestions on how I should place them. I have attached a rough drawing of my dining and living room for visualization. My ceiling height is 10'. My equiptment are:

Fronts: Paradigm Studio 100 v.3
Center: Paradigm Studio CC-570
Surrounds: Paradigm ADP-470
Receiver: Marantz 8300

Here are my questions:
1. I plan on putting the surrounds about 2' from the ceiling. Is this too high?
2. For my Left Surround, I plan on putting it in position A - it will be resting on my fireplace, about 2' from the ceiling. Is this a good place?
3. Alternatively, I can put my Left Surround in position B, but from my Sofa, I can't even see the speaker. I'm afraid that I won't hear any sound from this position. Your thoughts.

Appreciate any input.

Thanks,
Gary

 

[MDS]

Surrounds should be to your sides and Dolby recommends 2-3' above your ears when seated. I don't really see much difference between postion A and position B other than the arrow, which I assume is meant to show the direction the speaker would be firing. The ADP-470 is a dipole thus the 'null' of the speaker faces the listener.

Speaker C is aimed so that the null is at the listener. You want the other doing the same (so like B in the diagram). Basically the two surrounds are on each side of you, pointing at each other. Being 2 feet from the ceiling would place the speaker about 8 feet off the ground - perhaps slightly higher than optimal but I think it will work just fine as the adp's are dipole and create a diffuse sound. You have to work within the constraints of the room and that layout looks pretty good.

 

[plhart]

Anonymous did a good job relacement for the surrounds. Regarding your left and right fronts though, corner placement may generate way too much bass compared to the center.

 

[sjdgpt]

Due to room size/shape etc, my surrounds are located to my rear and on top of 6' bookcases. Ideal visual placement, but because my chair is close to the bookcases, the height is too great for good surround.

I would suggest lowering the speakers slightly if at possible.

 

[gkeong]

Thanks for all suggestions. I have chosen position B for my left surround, and due to the height (about 8' from ground), I had to compensate this by increasing the power to the rears by 8Db compared to the fronts and center. Fortunately, my receiver is capable of this.

I've played a few movies and I definitely get the surround effect now.

Thanks,
Gary