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Surround Sound Speaker Setup
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:05 am
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:05 am
I'm having a house built and want to have it pre-wired for surround sound. Thinking 7.1 is the way to go. Below is an image of the living/dining area of the house.
The layout is kind of awkward so, I'm not sure where to have the speakers installed. The couch would probably be the "barrier" between the living and dining rooms. Should the speakers to in the ceiling? In the wall? One of each? I've never done this before. Any help is appreciated.
The layout is kind of awkward so, I'm not sure where to have the speakers installed. The couch would probably be the "barrier" between the living and dining rooms. Should the speakers to in the ceiling? In the wall? One of each? I've never done this before. Any help is appreciated.
This post was edited on 10/12/15 at 11:31 am
3
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:17 am to JollyGreenGiant
Open that image in Word and draw in where the TV will be, as well as where the seating will be and we can help you. Can't do much without that.
Personally I am not a fan of ceiling speakers with the exception of them being the rear ambient speakers (the 6 and 7 in 7.1) and they are high enough to mask the direction they are coming from.
Personally I am not a fan of ceiling speakers with the exception of them being the rear ambient speakers (the 6 and 7 in 7.1) and they are high enough to mask the direction they are coming from.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:34 am to TigerFanatic99
quote:
Open that image in Word and draw in where the TV will be, as well as where the seating will be and we can help you. Can't do much without that.
Updated the OP.
quote:
Personally I am not a fan of ceiling speakers with the exception of them being the rear ambient speakers (the 6 and 7 in 7.1) and they are high enough to mask the direction they are coming from.
Interesting. I'm not sure what other options I really have though as far as the side speakers go.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:35 am to JollyGreenGiant
Can't see the picture at work, but include some distances to seating, ceiling height, etc.
I just went from a 5.1 to a 5.1.2 with ceiling mounted speakers for Atmos. My receiver will upmix non-Atmos movies to 7.1, and even in a smallish room (12x15), the 7.1 is a lot better than 5.1.
I just went from a 5.1 to a 5.1.2 with ceiling mounted speakers for Atmos. My receiver will upmix non-Atmos movies to 7.1, and even in a smallish room (12x15), the 7.1 is a lot better than 5.1.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 11:57 am to JollyGreenGiant
You could put them on stands. Run the wire through the floor to pop up where the stands would be. I'll look at your image after a bit and try to make some suggestions. I work for Harman Intl (Mark Levinson, Lexicon, Harman Kardon, JBL, Infinity, etc.) and deal with the equipment quite a it.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:04 pm to TigerFanatic99
Based on that layout, I would do 5.1 instead of 7.1
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:06 pm to SG_Geaux
quote:
Based on that layout, I would do 5.1 instead of 7.1
How come? Because of not really having a good spot for the side speakers?
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:11 pm to JollyGreenGiant
Yeah, in 7.1 you are really supposed to have two on the sides and two behind the listening position. Seems like you don't really have that option.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:21 pm to SG_Geaux
How important is symmetry and visual attractiveness of the speaker placement to you? Would you be comfortable having say the LR in the wall and the RR hanging from the ceiling, for example?
Would you be comfortable with the LS in the wall behind the couch with the RS hanging from the ceiling?
Basically, what is more important, sonic accuracy, or visual appearance?
Would you be comfortable with the LS in the wall behind the couch with the RS hanging from the ceiling?
Basically, what is more important, sonic accuracy, or visual appearance?
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:24 pm to TigerFanatic99
I'm more worried about sonic accuracy. I plan on installing speakers that are flush with the ceiling/wall to alleviate the aesthetics a bit, but I'd be fine with a combination of wall and ceiling speakers
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:29 pm to JollyGreenGiant
quote:
Based on that layout, I would do 5.1 instead of 7.1
quote:
How come? Because of not really having a good spot for the side speakers?
Because in a space like that it's damned near impossible to create a realistic and accurate sound field.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 12:58 pm to JollyGreenGiant
The consideration is because some are very directional, others not so much. LF, RF, C, LR, and RR are all directional speakers. They should be roughly pointed at the listening audience, but far enough away that you can't pinpoint the speaker. LS, RS, and S are non directional. LS and RS need to be behind you on those sides, but they don't HAVE to be pointed at you, and the sub obviously has its own location requirements.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 1:00 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
Because in a space like that it's damned near impossible to create a realistic and accurate sound field.
This really is the correct response, to be honest.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 1:25 pm to JollyGreenGiant
You won't be able to do 7.1. You have a wall behind you. I would go for a 5.1. Looks like your option is to run in ceiling because to your right (when you sit) you have open area. You could run bookshelves on stands but wife approval factor is usually zilch on those.
Also, if you do in ceiling, to your left, point the speaker at the wall. It helps with the space you have. Let the receiver auto locate and determine a response time for the sound. I did this to my house and it works awesomely.
Center your TV on your couch and spread the LR channels as far as you can stomach to create a better sound stage.
Also, if you do in ceiling, to your left, point the speaker at the wall. It helps with the space you have. Let the receiver auto locate and determine a response time for the sound. I did this to my house and it works awesomely.
Center your TV on your couch and spread the LR channels as far as you can stomach to create a better sound stage.
This post was edited on 10/12/15 at 1:30 pm
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:02 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
quote:
Because in a space like that it's damned near impossible to create a realistic and accurate sound field.
I was afraid of that. What's my next best option? I'd like something set up.
quote:
You won't be able to do 7.1. You have a wall behind you. I would go for a 5.1. Looks like your option is to run in ceiling because to your right (when you sit) you have open area. You could run bookshelves on stands but wife approval factor is usually zilch on those.
Also, if you do in ceiling, to your left, point the speaker at the wall. It helps with the space you have. Let the receiver auto locate and determine a response time for the sound. I did this to my house and it works awesomely.
Center your TV on your couch and spread the LR channels as far as you can stomach to create a better sound stage.
This sounds legit.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:12 pm to JollyGreenGiant
Also wanted to mention that if you do bookshelves or tower speakers, they will be much more "accurate" than the in ceiling as they will be ear level.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:13 pm to JollyGreenGiant
quote:
This sounds legit.
Eh, mostly.
The speakers being as far apart as possible isn't really good advice. The more important thing for speakers is that they are on the same plane as the screen. Optimally you want the front sound stage at about the same height as the middle of the screen. If you use in ceiling speakers you want something with an angled baffle if at all possible to aim the sound stage at the listening position. You're looking for a front sound stage that appears to come from the middle and immediate left and right of the screen.
The surround speakers can be bipole or dipole speakers which will create a diffuse sound in the side and back. The whole idea is that if you hear an effect you can't pin point the speaker that produced the sound. For instance, if it's raining in the movie you want the illusion that it's raining all around you and not just raining from the speakers locations.
This post was edited on 10/12/15 at 2:15 pm
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:29 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
The speakers being as far apart as possible isn't really good advice.
Well I don't mean like 20ft apart but maybe more than right beside the TV console. At a point it looks ugly but if it's too close it will just be a wall of sound.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:31 pm to VABuckeye
quote:
The more important thing for speakers is that they are on the same plane as the screen.
I don't know of a TV stand that would allow that. Most are above the viewers eye level.
Posted on 10/12/15 at 2:39 pm to Hu_Flung_Pu
quote:
I don't know of a TV stand that would allow that. Most are above the viewers eye level.
It can be tough. Speaker stands obviously help. It's one area where in ceiling speakers with angled baffles have an advantage especially if the TV is mounted high on a wall or above a fireplace.
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