Rear Speaker Placement

[Big Tuna]

<font color='#000000'>I am new to the in-home surround sound game. We have purchased a speaker system that includes front and rear speakers, a center channel speaker and a powered sub-woofer. This is being set up in our recently built out basement. The room acoustics seem quite good. Our contractor put lots of insulation in all walls and fully insulated the drop ceiling.

The problem is that the soffits and configuration of the room do not allow for exactly equal placement of the rear speakers. Both can be put at the same level behind the listening area, in an elevated position, but will not be exactly evenly spaced in relation to the television. Alternatively, I can put one rear speaker lower than the other either along the same wall, or facing inwards from a sidewall.

Since these speakers should not provide a point source and should maximize the sound field, how critical is this decision?

I would go with speaker stands, but this area is often populated with much younger children, making this impractical.

Your input would be greatly appreciated.</font>

 

[RLA]

<font color='#000000'>Hi Welcome to the forum
We need a little more info to help guide you &nbsp;here
What is the manufacture and model #'s of your
A/V gear,Where is the seated listening position
and is this to be a 5.1,6.1 or 7.1 system?
Cheers Ray</font>

 

[Audioholics]

<font color='#000000'>I have an Aunt &amp; Uncle who had a similar (but much worse) dilemna... unfortunately, they had the local &quot;professional&quot; install their speakers.

They are now the proud owners of a Polk audio system with 4 speakers all mounted on differing planes. Due to vaulted celings and an oddly-shaped entertainment center, the front speakers are at unequal height (3 differnt heights including the center), unequal depth and the rear speakers are at equal depth, unequal height. 3 of 4 speakers are placed in corners (all are flat against at least one wall) and the subwoofer is inside of a closed cabinet.

The sound... well, Im not sure how to describe it as their receiver (installed only 4 months ago) doesn't support anything above Dolby Pro Logic and the surrounds are about 9 dB too loud.

Forunately, I'm going back for a visit soon and I'll have some time to tinker... and purchase a new receiver for them.

In comparison, your situation looks MUCH more pleasant.

</font>

 

[norml4721]

Hi Big Tuna :

I am a newbie to this forum as well. I find the people in this forum quite knowlegable and friendly. Some of the other sites can be abit condecending at times. Anyway, like what was said what do you have for rear speakers.
Are they wall mount or bookshelf type ? If bookshelf you could buy speaker stands. If wall mount you could mount them on the wall. Some rear speakers are diopole (surround type) that radiate sound in all diections. (typicaly they are wall mount.)

I am getting a little tired of typing(not a good typist or speller) Go to the Axiom web site they have a very good explanation of rear/surround speaker placement. Simple and correct.

Good Luck & be shure to enjoy your Home Theater.

 

[Bizarro_Stormy]

Nine and a half years ago, I heard that Big Tuna had massively high mercury content...