Surround speakers, how high?

[ArieS]

I need to install my Polk 30 surrounds but I'm not sure how high should they be compare to my sitting position on the couch. At first I looked at some speaker stands but it seems 30 inch is as high as they get which is pretty much lower than my sitting position. Any ideas or where I could find some answers. Thanks!

[callas01]

1-3 feet above your ears.

[erict]

Originally Posted by ArieS

I need to install my Polk 30 surrounds but I'm not sure how high should they be compare to my sitting position on the couch. At first I looked at some speaker stands but it seems 30 inch is as high as they get which is pretty much lower than my sitting position. Any ideas or where I could find some answers. Thanks!

The norm seems to be 2-3 feet above ear level.

[Beta Man]

Depends on the room.... Run an SPL meter and try them in various configurations.

[DarkDune]

You could do like we do...

The other night I got creeped out watching Star Trek the Complete First Season (believe it or not) when the Enterprise scared the crap out of me when it flew by from back to front



We did "up" the dB on them, but they do rock as high as they are

[erict]

Originally Posted by DarkDune

You could do like we do...

The other night I got creeped out watching Star Trek the Complete First Season (believe it or not) when the Enterprise scared the crap out of me when it flew by from back to front

Is that 5 rears I see I have mine about 5 feet above my ears and the bi-poles work and sound great

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by erict

Is that 5 rears I see I have mine about 5 feet above my ears and the bi-poles work and sound great

No just 4...I doubled the Di/Bi poles to get the 7.1 sound

NOTE: I haven't updated the photos yet, but we recently moved the couch 2 feet from the wall. It gives better ambient sound that way.

[HAMP]

Originally Posted by ArieS

I need to install my Polk 30 surrounds but I'm not sure how high should they be compare to my sitting position on the couch.

When I first installed my surround I didn't have an idea for the proper placement. I rather thought to put them at ear level and surround the sweet spot. My layout didn't let me go that route and also I wouldn't have thought it fair to my visitors who didn't sit in the sweet spot. There is a sweet spot regardless, but I thought the effect would spread out a bit more from being up in the ceiling. I have mine pointed downward toward the listening area to help out.

It is a nice feeling when you are watching a movie and some type of sound effect make you turn your head in that direction.

[Rob J in WNY]

I would like to raise my surrounds and surround-backs someday. I strongly feel it would noticeable dimension to my 7.1 soundfield. For now, given my living room, this is the way I have to keep it for now (although I have toyed with the idea of changing my living room around considerably to take advantage of improved room response with the setup against a different wall).


Main setup with surround speakers at ear level.


Surround-back speakers (still on their temporary stands) at ear level as well. Definitely will raise them someday.

[rpatt]

The rule of thumb I've come across the most is that if your listening is mostly music, position them with the tweeters at ear level. If your listening is mostly movie sound tracks, position them 3-ft above seated ear level.

[tacomaprime]

Originally Posted by Rob J in WNY

I would like to raise my surrounds and surround-backs someday. I strongly feel it would noticeable dimension to my 7.1 soundfield. For now, given my living room, this is the way I have to keep it for now (although I have toyed with the idea of changing my living room around considerably to take advantage of improved room response with the setup against a different wall).


Main setup with surround speakers at ear level.


Surround-back speakers (still on their temporary stands) at ear level as well. Definitely will raise them someday.

This is the height I have my side ones. I still need to get something to mount my rears, but want to do something different with my sides. I want to get in wall speakers for that though.

[Steve]

It also depends on whose recommendations you follow. Dolby recommends placing them "just above ear level", whereas THX recommends "2 feet or higher above the listener." I have mine (Klipsch RS-62 bipoles, 5.1 setup) about 2 feet above ear level and IMO they produce a very good immersive, surround effect.

[mtbkr]

https://images.blu-ray.com/htgallery/24136_full.jpg
mine are roughly two feet above ear level and sound amazing. i guess i give more credit to the speakers than the position of them

[Kryptonic]

I have my tSc A5-PR's at ear level angled in slightly. They sound great. Unfortunately, they're quite large speakers, so it's difficult finding a stable stand for a reasonable price, but I'd like to get them a bit higher, so I keep an eye out for deals on stands.

[ArieS]

Thanks all, they'll be placed around 2 feet above ear level.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by ArieS

Thanks all, they'll be placed around 2 feet above ear level.

I think the tweeters should be 2 feet above ear level at a sitting position.

YMMV.

[Alan A]

Originally Posted by Hammie

I think the tweeters should be 2 feet above ear level at a sitting position.

YMMV.

interesting thread, in movie theaters they are a lot higher than 2 feet more like 5-10 feet.

[solarrdadd]

Originally Posted by Alan A

interesting thread, in movie theaters they are a lot higher than 2 feet more like 5-10 feet.

how many homes have ceilings and walls as high as a movie theater? how many of the rooms in peoples homes are the size of movie theaters? you see where i'm going with this...

you can't compare your home theater with an actual movie theater. the "kinda, unwritten" rule of thumb from a lot of surround speaker makers is 2 - 3 feet above the listeners ears. of course this depends on the speaker maker and the speaker type which may be what determines what the maker recommends. some can go higher and be as or more effective and some cannot. YMMV! this in reality depends on the height of your ceilings and walls as well as one's personal listening taste.

how did this old thread get dug up anyway?

[walmat]

I have my side surrounds at ear level and slightly behind me but my back surrounds are about 2-3' above ear level. This works well for the room and sounds great to me.