Best surround speaker placement?

[Lt. Aldo Raine]

Ok so there are lots of different thoughts and sides of what is the best placement for ur surrounds in 5.1 system
Too the side, ear level, 2 feet about ear level, behind, etc etc etc. Lots of ppl have there surrounds hooked up differently, lots of you have had them different ways so you know what works best, and some of us have only had them one way(like me) so thats all we know
right now i have my surrounds at ear level and slightly behind, not on the wall behind but on the side wall, its worked out pretty good so far, but im gona be getting new surrounds soon, upgrading from sony htib surrounds, so i wana get all of ur thoughts on where is the best place for surrounds so im prepared when i buy new speakers
and im sure lots of ppl would like to know as well
so lets hear it, and see it^^

[callas01]

Here is the Dolby Digital recommendation.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_e...de/index.html#

Here is dts home theatre recommendation

http://www.dts.com/Consumer_Electron...0C5617DCD.ashx 5.1
http://www.dts.com/Consumer_Electron...76B9496B2.ashx 6.1
http://www.dts.com/Consumer_Electron...C5DB3F924.ashx 7.1

[ManUtd]

I've placed my bookshelf speakers on 24" stands directly on the sides and at ear level. This appears to be the best position in my case.

[Hammie]

This can really only be answered if we know what kind of speakers are going to be used, room dimension, etc. because all of the options can apply in a certain given circumstance.

[Steve]

Also, here are the THX recommendations.

I know the recommendations are made for specific reasons, but the truth is everyone's room and equipment are different. If you're using a setup that consists of towers all the way around the room then it's going to be very difficult to get them positioned at the recommended height. You also need to account for room effects, and then you can get into whether you're using monopoles/bipoles/dipoles as surrounds. IMO you should start with the guidelines as closely as you can go from there. Experiment some to see what gives you the best results.

[kingofgrills]

Originally Posted by fireman325

Also, here are the THX recommendations.

I know the recommendations are made for specific reasons, but the truth is everyone's room and equipment are different. If you're using a setup that consists of towers all the way around the room then it's going to be very difficult to get them positioned at the recommended height. You also need to account for room effects, and then you can get into whether you're using monopoles/bipoles/dipoles as surrounds. IMO you should start with the guidelines as closely as you can go from there. Experiment some to see what gives you the best results.

+1. Everyone's situation is different and warrants individual attention.

[Sixx]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

I've placed my bookshelf speakers on 24" stands directly on the sides and at ear level. This appears to be the best position in my case.

+1
Mine are mounted on the wall and aimed down to ear level

[Kryptonic]

It really depends on your room, but I have my surround speakers mounted about 2 and a half feet above ear level on each side of the room facing towards each other and find that it produces the best surround presence. If you can do it, I would recommend something similar having the speakers face towards one and other from each side of the room.

[Travis]

For me I have 5.1 and my fronts and rears are the same. Also on the same stands at ear level. The rears are a couple feet behind me and to the sides.

Do not know if it is the best, but I prefer it to having the speakers right next to me.

[rpatt]

I did a lot of web searching on this subject. Most agreed that the horizontal positioning should be 90 to 110 degrees, but for vertical position it was split depending on weather the set up was for mostly music (tweeter ear level) or movies (6-ft off the floor). But as was mentioned, a lot depends on your equipment and room.