Surround Speaker Placement???

[Go Blue]

Note sure whether to post here or the Speaker forum, please move if needed.

Is it OK to have your surrounds offset from the main listening position? As you can see in my gallery, I have my 2 surrounds back behind the main listening position. I know they are supposed to be on the same "plane" of that listening position and not directly behind it. I can't move the left surround up because it will kind of block the front of the sliding glass door into the backyard. As you can see in the pics below, I did move the right one up to be on the same plane and the listening position. So, again, is this OK, or not a good idea?

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by schultz

Note sure whether to post here or the Speaker forum, please move if needed.

Is it OK to have your surrounds offset from the main listening position? As you can see in my gallery, I have my 2 surrounds back behind the main listening position. I know they are supposed to be on the same "plane" of that listening position and not directly behind it. I can't move the left surround up because it will kind of block the front of the sliding glass door into the backyard. As you can see in the pics below, I did move the right one up to be on the same plane and the listening position. So, again, is this OK, or not a good idea?

In your gallery, it was where the Right Side surround was, but obv. on the LEFT end of the couch. Why was it moved? It looked like a perfect location in the corner to balance with the right one. I don't see Much of a problem with what you did, moving it there, but was just curious. Or am I not seeing your speaker set-up correctly?

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by aerodude73

In your gallery, it was where the Right Side surround was, but obv. on the LEFT end of the couch. Why was it moved? It looked like a perfect location in the corner to balance with the right one. I don't see Much of a problem with what you did, moving it there, but was just curious. Or am I not seeing your speaker set-up correctly?

I think you are seeing it right. I just know that for most 5.1 setups, the surrouds are supposed to be parallel to the seating position, not behind it. As I understand it, the speakers behind the seating position are for surround backs in a 7.1 setup.

I guess I just want to know if it matters if they are offset to the listening position like they are in the pic in my 1st post?

[Aerodude73]

Originally Posted by schultz

I think you are seeing it right. I just know that for most 5.1 setups, the surrouds are supposed to be parallel to the seating position, not behind it. As I understand it, the speakers behind the seating position are for surround backs in a 7.1 setup.

I guess I just want to know if it matters if they are offset to the listening position like they are in the pic in my 1st post?

I think they're fine, and if it sounds Good to YOU, then that's all that really matters, right? If it's not sounding "off" (or "not right" somehow") that's one thing. But again, most 5.1 set ups usually have the 2 surr. spkrs to the side of the listening position as you originally had. IF you want, and can turn them w/out it looking awkward, can't you put the left where it Was, and angle them in a bit towards the couch/Main listening area? The 7.1 REAR surrounds would be More to the Rear and behind you yes, but with a wall there, obviously you can't do that option (I have the same set-up with a wall behind my couch, no room for 7.1 set-up, nor a real need anyway).

Again, and I've seen it Here Many times: If it sounds good to You, then that's that. If it were Me, i'd do the Turn In option I mentioned above if you can't place them to the sides of the couch.

Hope I helped.

[kingofgrills]

If you have a receiver that includes auto speaker calibration, you should be fine with the current placement. Your receiver should adjust the signal to compensate for the placement.

[liquidice]

have you thought about moving the sub out from where the tv is? It might look a little better if everything was centered in that little nook your system sits in.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

I just know that for most 5.1 setups, the surrouds are supposed to be parallel to the seating position, not behind it. As I understand it, the speakers behind the seating position are for surround backs in a 7.1 setup.

I know it's generally recommended for the surrounds to be beside the listener while the surround backs are behind the listener, but when the seating position is against the rear wall, putting your speakers on that wall isn't too big of an infraction. I had to do this in my own setup and the results are outstanding IMO. The Dolby and THX speaker setup guides both show that there is some flexibility for the surrounds to be slightly behind the listener.

[pacificvibes]

This is off the subject but....ELMO!!!!!!!!!! hahahaaha

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by pacificvibes

This is off the subject but....ELMO!!!!!!!!!! hahahaaha

Ha! He is kind of peeking out in the pic isn't he! That is my daughters Elmo chair. Also notice the naked Mr. Potato Head on the end table and the Wall-E toothbrush on the coffee table!

[Go Blue]

Originally Posted by fireman325

I know it's generally recommended for the surrounds to be beside the listener while the surround backs are behind the listener, but when the seating position is against the rear wall, putting your speakers on that wall isn't too big of an infraction. I had to do this in my own setup and the results are outstanding IMO. The Dolby and THX speaker setup guides both show that there is some flexibility for the surrounds to be slightly behind the listener.

Yeah, I guess I'm just not sure if having them oddset (1 off to the side and 1 behind) made a difference.

[pacificvibes]

Originally Posted by Schultzy

Ha! He is kind of peeking out in the pic isn't he! That is my daughters Elmo chair. Also notice the naked Mr. Potato Head on the end table and the Wall-E toothbrush on the coffee table!