Surround back speaker placement?

[Zman2k2]

So, I'm in the middle of designing my theatre room, and I'm doing research on where to place the back surround speakers. Currently, I have them set up along the back wall, around 6 feet apart. However, I have read that to have a THX-style surround, they need to be 1-4 feet apart.

My question is this, how far apart should they be for best possible performance? I am looking for the best possible sound from the 7.1 design, and now is the time to change, before the drywall goes up.

[Beta Man]

Get an SPL meter, radio-shack even has them (not sure if you have those in the great-white-north though, but you can always order one online)

It's the best way to determine where to place them...... it all depends on your seating, room accoustics/dimensions etc.

[ClaytonMG]

I am rearranging my basement, and I am curious, how far away from the surround back speakers should you be? If I rearranged them, they'd be 4 feet above the listener and 2 feet back. Is that to close?

[Carlsberg19]

My rear speakers are like 4 feet above and 4 feet back from me

[GeneD5]

Originally Posted by Carlsberg19

My rear speakers are like 4 feet above and 4 feet back from me

I like what you're saying...my couch is flush with my wall so I can put my surrounds far behind me, but I find putting them up higher is nice. I've had them ear level as is recommended all over the place but have them 3-4 feet above ear level now and it is much better. When you can hear everything but not locate where the sound is coming from is the best

[Sir Terrence]

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

So, I'm in the middle of designing my theatre room, and I'm doing research on where to place the back surround speakers. Currently, I have them set up along the back wall, around 6 feet apart. However, I have read that to have a THX-style surround, they need to be 1-4 feet apart.

My question is this, how far apart should they be for best possible performance? I am looking for the best possible sound from the 7.1 design, and now is the time to change, before the drywall goes up.

Keep them 6ft apart. THX style placement doesn't work well with TRUE 7.1 signals where each of the rear surrounds are getting different discrete information, as opposed to the DSP generated information you get from a THX processor. THX recommendations are designed to work with THX based products and processors. Their recommendations do not always work on non THX products.

[Hunter]

Here you go, hope this helps..

http://www.thx.com/home/setup/speakers/dolby.html

THX recommended speaker settings with TrueHD and DTS HD MA 7.1