DVD Josh

I'm curious what the going theories are on speaker placement. By this I mean not WHERE in the room, but how high the speaker should be placed in relation to the ear. I have heard that for the front speakers, the tweeter should be at roughly ear level, as for the rear speakers, the speakers should be 18"-36" ABOVE ear level.

I'm curious to know other's thoughts. Links appreciated if you think they would add to the conversation!

JCJF10

A Practical (non-technical) Response:

I'm no expert on the subject but I did recently mount my satellite speakers at ceiling height (8’).
It was a decision made out of necessity. I have young children so I must alter my preferred
installation in order to avoid damage to my investment.

Results? My listening "sweet spot" is greatly reduced but when I'm sitting on the main couch
facing the TV I'm very happy with the sound I achieve.

Sorry this may not have been the technical conversation you wished to spark but that was my
experience with speaker height.

Brian Shannon

http://www.dolby.com/Consumer/HomeEntertainment/Setup/

DVD Josh

Brian, that link, while appreciated, is not helpful, as it doesn't state anything I didn't already mention in my original post.

Brian Shannon

Well essentially your initial post is correct assuming you have the room and ability to do so. The other consideration is what kind of speakers are you using for the rear? Are they direct radiating, bipole or dipole?

The rear speakers should be above ear level so as to create the surround effect.

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/IS...placement.html

http://www.homestead.com/klyckproduc...placement.html

http://www.hometheatersound.com/feat...c_20010101.htm


http://webcenter.soundandvision.nets...,aid,79,00.asp

DVD Josh

I wish I wasn't moving, my rear walls are perfect to hang the speakers off of.

Thanks for the additional links Brian.

Lethal Nemesis

Great links, Brian.

Brian Shannon

Happy to provide the links.

As a point of fact I went through the same planning and decision process when I built my theater. There are still conflicting views as to the best approach and bottom line is you need to plan out what works best for you.

Lethal Nemesis

Are there any good stands you can recommend for the surrounds? I can't wall mount them, so I need some good stands. What do you think about these:

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=69314&m=0

Any recommendations? Is 31" - 45" high enough for the surrounds?

Brian Shannon

Well it should be ok as long as you are seated.

Try this page for some other options

http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/ca...&CategoryID=55

Lethal Nemesis

Excellent! You've done it again.

gotapex

One thing to consider on the surround height is the kind of surround speakers you have (specifically the tweeters). Some technologies (ie. ribbons) have a more limited vertical dispersion pattern. In this case, you would need to put it just a little bit closer to ear height.

Sdallnct

Brian Shannon

Great, HT photos (in your sig). I do have a question. About how big is your room? And how do you like the "two row" set up?

I'm going to be doing something similar. My wife wanted two couches, but I think chairs in the front (like yours) would be better. More versital, easier to move, etc.

Brian Shannon

Thanks for the compliments.

My room is 19' long by 15' wide by 7.5' high. It is a 100" screen and the front chairs are 11' from the screen. The riser worked out fine, it sits 8" above the slab. The height is just enough so that anyone on the couch has an unobstructed view. I like the two rows but in fact my wife and I have one son and sometimes it is just the two of us down there. Planning for seating is necessary though, we do entertain when we can. Also the Berkline chairs come in different configurations and arms and can be turned into a couch, sectional etc. Check out the Berkline site

http://www.berkline.com/

Ask if you have any other questions and good luck!