The development of 9- and 11-channel surround sound processors brings Wide and Height ‘presence’ channels into the system to even further enhance sound stage spaciousness and immersion. Speaker Placement For 9.1 And 11.1 Systems As with the side surround speakers, position the rear surround tweeters about 2 feet above head level when seated. Place the rear surround speakers at 135-150 degrees off-axis, relative to the primary seating position. In a 7.1 system, dedicated rear surround speakers are placed behind the primary seating position for enhanced rear panning effects. For the best sense of spaciousness, the tweeter height should be about 2 feet above ear level.
In a 5-channel system, the side surround speakers should be located 90-110 degrees off-axis.
For more in-depth advice, check out our article on Center Channel Speaker Placement Tips. If the center channel must be located below head level, then an upward tilt of the speaker is recommended to improve mid/high frequency response and dialogue intelligibility. But depending on the placement of the video display or projection screen, this is not always possible. As with the main front speakers, placing the tweeter at/near head level when seated is optimal. The center channel should be placed directly on-axis, relative to the primary seating position. Pulling the main speakers away from the corners (to the extent allowed by room traffic) will reduce boundary reflections and improve imaging. Most tower speakers accomplish this naturally, and a bookshelf monitor will require stands. The best imaging will be obtained when the tweeters are close to ear height when seated. The main speakers should be placed 25-30 degrees off-axis, relative to the primary seating position. Speaker Placement For 5.1 And 7.1 Surround Sound Systems Front Left/Right Mains Speakers
When done correctly, you will be able to clearly perceive a center focused voice when the sweet spot is hit.Ĭheck out the entire SVS Speaker line-up to choose the speakers that are best for your music experience. This can be done by ear and usually a ¼ to ½ inch toe-in is sufficient. The importance of symmetrical speaker placement for near field listening, especially in small to medium sized rooms, is hugely important for optimizing stereo sound quality.Īfter the speakers and main listening position are set as close to a perfect equilateral triangle as possible, the speakers must be angled slightly toward the listening position (also called toeing in). It does not refer to the room dimensions in any way. The listening position is determined by the "center to center" distance of the speakers from each other and the distance to the listener’s head. When setting up speakers for a 2-channel speaker system, the two speakers and the listener’s head should form the three points an equilateral triangle. Speaker Placement For 2-channel Stereo Systems SVS SoundPath RCA Audio Interconnect Cable SoundPath Tri-Band Wireless Audio Adapter