Surround Sound Speaker Placement – There is nothing like an action movie that is watched on a high resolution Television in the comfort of your home. However the high quality image alone is not enough.
In fact the best picture in the world is nothing without a high quality sound system. Surround sound home theater systems are what really make the difference. But even with a surround sound system you do not get the optimum sound if you do not have the proper surround sound speaker placement.
When setting up a home theater there is a right and a wrong way to do things. The placement of the speakers is vital to getting the optimum performance out of your system. When setting up your speakers there are some things you should keep in mind.
The first thing to do if you have not done so already is to purchase a quality surround system. You will find there are a few different types of home surround systems. Most of the systems you find will be rated with a 5.1 or a 7.1. These numbers pertain to the amount of speakers that are contained in the system. A five speaker system is perfect for most home applications. Surround Sound Speaker Placement.
With a 5.1 system there are 5 speakers that are designed with h a specific purpose in mind. There is typically a long rectangular speaker this is the center speaker and should be mounted over the TV. There is also a large box that may have a power cord connected to it. This is the woofer and is responsible for the bass sounds that are produced.
If a woofer has a power cord it means that it is a powered system, meaning that it has an internal amplifier that does not use the power of your main amp to produce its sound. Typically a woofer will have plugs for other speakers to run off of it. This provides those speakers with amplification as well. Surround Sound Speaker Placement.
There are also four speakers that are intended to be placed around the room. Two of these will probably be marked front and should be used close to the TV. The other two should be marked rear and should be set up on or near the opposing wall.
The front and rear speakers will typically be marked left and right and should be hooked up accordingly. The way you actually set up the speakers will vary on several conditions. The most important factor for the proper placement of the speakers is that the acoustics of the room are being taken into consideration. Surround Sound Speaker Placement.
The proper surround sound speaker placement will consist of the following. The center speaker should be mounted directly above the TV as has already been mentioned. The front speakers need to be placed on either side3 of the TV up to 12 feet or more apart if the room accommodates this distance. These speakers should be hung at the same level of the TV, however if this is not possible then you can raise them above the level of the TV.
The rear speakers belong behind the seating area and only a few feet above the level of the listener’s ears. These speakers are intended to handle the ambient sounds and should be placed properly for the optimum performance. The woofer can be placed in several different locations throughout the room. Different people tend to have their preference for the placement of this speaker. Often it will be located behind the seating are or under a coffee table directly in front of the seating area. Surround Sound Speaker Placement.