Speaker placement for large room

[Joseph Sulse]

I know this has been explained numerous times but may have a new twist to the old question. Does ceiling height play a role in determining the side and rear surround speaker placements? My room dimentions are 22' wide, 40' long with 11' ceiling. The viewing screan will be on the center of the 22' wall and the main seating position will be 14' off this wall. I have studied the Dolby Digital 7.1 setup guide and have all the angles worked out. However, this guide does not discuss the impact ceiling height has on speaker placement. The front left and right channels are 12' apart. The left and right sides will be mounted on the 40' wall and MUST be mounted around 8' because the right has to clear a window with simple blackout drapes. These are located basically 90 degrees from seated position. The big question is where should the rear surrounds be hung from the ceiling? Should I go with the "recommended" 30 degrees off center line 8' back from seated position?

Speakers will be Paradigm Studios.

The remaining 2/3's of the room has a pool table and bar.

Thanks for your help.
Joseph

 

[Johnd]

Good choice with the speakers. You, too, are cramming in a pool table (I've got my 9" Ol at one end of the room)?

Ceiling height has less to do with speaker placement than it does with speaker size, for obvious reasons.

If you provide a drawing, I'm sure others will chime in here, and it will be easier to visualize. If the 8' measurement is the height, and your ear is at about 3'4" in the listening position, that puts the speaker 4'6" above the ear, more than twice the recommended placement! While you can angle the speaker down, it would be a better option to place it closer to the correct height, even if that means on stands. And yes, go with the recommended 30' off axis for the rears, and tweak thereafter for "perfection." Have fun!