Surround placement

[ivseenbetter]

I have done a google sketch up of my room but I figure it will be easier to show this jpeg that shows the basic info for my room. Anyway, I am looking for advice on how to set up the surround portion of my audio for this room. My understanding is that the surround should be placed slightly to the rear of the listening position and slightly higher up than the ears. Well, on one side of my room I have an additional space that makes it impossible for me to mount a speaker on the wall to the side of the listening position. Should I consider putting my surrounds in the ceiling? Maybe I should just mount them in the very back of the room (but that seems like a lot of distance between the back of the room and the seating area for the surround speakers to cover)? What should I do if I ever go for a 7.1 setup? Well, any advise will be helpful. Thanks.

Chris

 

[jostenmeat]

The whole thing about speakers above the ears might be a little mis-leading. I think that its more to fire over blocking furniture, and in your case, people! In-ceilings are typically recommended as a last resort, if I read things correctly, but I think in your case that could be an excellent solution. For it will let you put them in ideal positions, speaking in terms of 2-D. The ceiling mount will present zero issues as far as blocking audio from the front row. (How much higher is the back row?).

I would consider something like that, but I already have all of my surrounds speakers, and they are very large for bookshelves. I put a pair basically straddling the two rows (a somewhat common compromise I found with others as well), but its less than ideal surround for the back row. Ceiling mounting should take that issue out of the equation. My rear speakers are also on stands behind the back row, and the height of the back row definitely is blocking the sound, but its better than nothing, IMO.

 

[AVRat]

Ewe, that's a tough call, but I think if I had to make the decision I'd go with 4 of 1 of these in-ceilings for full 7.2.

http://www.nilesaudio.com/product.php?prodID=CM730DSFX&recordID=Ceiling Mount Loudspeakers&categoryID=Speakers&catcdID=1&prdcdID=FG01485
http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:409:AIM Wide Three
http://www.speakercraft.com/#Products:410:AIM Wide One

 

[ivseenbetter]

Yep, it is far from ideal but it is the best room I have every been able to get for this type of setup. The front 3 channels are easy to set up and the amount of space for what I wanted to do really works out. I can use that side space for a pool table and the extra space behind the seats for a card table and a bar.

So it appears that ceiling speakers are my best choice. I was thinking of putting bookshelves in the back when I go full 7.2 but perhaps cealing speakers for all my surround needs is best.

Oh, the second row will be raised about 8 - 10 inches.

Thanks for the inputs guys. It's appreciated.

 

[armaraas]

You could also try Axiom QS8's or QS4's, I'm not sure if you have speakers yet. I've seen people hang them from the ceiling around the listening position and have been pretty happy with them. It may help that they have a downfiring woofer too. I remember seeing a pic of someone setup like that at Axiom's forum, don't remember who it was tho, it may not be too hard to find if a search is done for QS8.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs8.html

 

[ivseenbetter]

You could also try Axiom QS8's or QS4's, I'm not sure if you have speakers yet. I've seen people hang them from the ceiling around the listening position and have been pretty happy with them. It may help that they have a downfiring woofer too. I remember seeing a pic of someone setup like that at Axiom's forum, don't remember who it was tho, it may not be too hard to find if a search is done for QS8.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs8.html

Thanks armaraas. I haven't even looked at in-ceiling speakers before. I appreciate the info. I will probably start a thread to get opinions on good in-ceiling speakers but I will keep your suggestions in mind as well.

Thanks