Room Layout: Surround Speakers in a 7.1 System

[Reggie Died]

Gentlemen,

I'm currently in the preliminary phase of turning my ****ty little bedroom into a HT center. I currently have a Yamaha HT-5760 powering Paradigm Titans in the front, Paradigm CC-150 in the center, Bose 201's as surrounds (friends) and Polk Audio R30's as rear surrounds (orignially used for 2ch stereo speakers).

I just purchased another pair of Titans, and I am planning on replacing the Bose surrounds and wall mounting the Titans. However, before i start putting holes in my walls, i'd really love some advice on where to place them, and how high to raise them.

I've attached a layout of my room, and have shown the two obvious locations i've thought about. Unfortunatly, the ideal position is obstructed by a door on the left side, and a built in bookcase on the right side (above my bed).

The reason i have the Polk's as rear surrounds and not surrounds is because they were floorstanding, and as such, there was no room anywhere else. Unfortunatly, this means they are very low, and almost hit the back of the sofa. I've done my best to eliviate this acoustical disaster by just installing the front 2 floor spikes, which tilts the speaker upward, and points the tweeter right at the back of my head.

Eventually, the Polks will be replaced by my front Titans, as i plan on eventually using Monitors (Mini's, Monitor 3's?) as fronts, and replacing the center channel. When i do this, I will most likely wall mount them as well. Shoudl they be wall mounted at the same height as the surrounds?

Also, i plan on purchasing a Subwoofer, and was hoping for some suggestions as to which brand. I'm leaning towards a lower end HSU or the Velodyn DPS-10.

Cheers, and thanks for any help.

Reggie

PS, the picture doens't illustrate this, but the rear surrounds are slightly tilted inwards, point towards the sweet spot.

 

[jbracing24]

Option one is a definite for the surrounds. Try to get them on opposite sides of the seating area. Wall mount about standing height (6ft) and aim them toward the seating. Rear surrounds look well placed. I found, NOT to get the rears too far apart. Install them high and aim them downwards.
Your fronts, so I have read, should be at ear height when seated. The center should be immediately above or below the monitor. But I do have a problem with the sub in the back. #1 spot should be up front, so they work with the fronts. It doesn't have to be in full view, but, if I read your diagram right, you have a computer on the right side, and I wouldn't want to be on top of a sub while working, so possibly use the left side somewhere. I am using the back location for a second sub, but, somehow, I wouldn't recommend that for a primary location.
Brands and types of speakers are a personal preference.

 

[shokhead]

Go to Dolby website and i think they have some ways they should be setup and explain way and your sub needs to blend with the fronts and should be somewhere upfront,corner if possible.

 

[Reggie Died]

Thanks for the replies,

I had orignally planned on corner loading the sub near the TV, but after reading the forums at HSU, they actually recommend placing it behind the couch in some situations. I'll obviously have to try both out, and see which results i prefer.

However, my concern was more with the surrounds. In option one, they are placed in front of the seating position, facing backwards.

Dolby's website suggests placing them more behind the listeners position, but that's not an option for me, unless I place them on the rear wall (where my rear surrounds are), have them facing in more, and add a few db's on the receiver.

 

[jbracing24]

I would still recommend the side placement. One thing you don't want is a "hole" in the sound field. The idea of a surround system is a continuous field and if you are not careful, the surrounds will become separated from the front field. If you get adjustable wall mounts, you can play with the angles far better than if you went to the back wall.

 

[Reggie Died]

This may deserve it's own thread, but here is the thread in the HSU forums where they recommend placing the subwoofer behind the couch.

http://www.hsuresearch.com/forum/showthread.php?t=984

Anyone have any opinions on this? Or is corner loading / near your fronts a better placement option?