Surround Speaker Height...What is Your Opinion?

joe liquor · 03-11-02, 12:43 PM

I just purchased surrounds for my system and I am now trying to decide how tall of a stand to purchase for their placement. I'm curious to know everyone's opinions on the proper height for surrounds.

My mains are on 18" stands which put the tweeters very close to ear level when sitting. I believe if I get 24" stands for the surrounds those tweeters will be close to ear level, but part of the woofer will be obstructed by the back of the futon.

Here is what I'm using:

Marantz SR-7000
B&W 602 S2 mains
B&W CC6 S2 center
B&W 601 S2 rears

The mains are on 18" Sound Organisation stands and I can get a pair of 24" stands to match for the rears.

Your comments are appreciated.

Brian Shannon · 03-11-02, 01:18 PM

IMHO, the higher the better.

Sounds like you cannot wall mount. I would have them at least as high as the mains and higher if possible.

Good luck.

joe liquor · 03-11-02, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Shannon
IMHO, the higher the better.

Sounds like you cannot wall mount. I would have them at least as high as the mains and higher if possible.

Good luck.

Yeah, wall mounting is absolutely impossible and will be for sometime. Since I'm living in an apartment and most apartments in Chicago will have plaster walls I really don't want to hassle with wall mounting.

jumbojp · 03-11-02, 03:04 PM

I have a pair of these stands for my surround speakers. They are really nice for the money.

They will also fit 12AWG cable in the pole to hide it!

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=240-762

joshd2012 · 03-11-02, 03:34 PM

I just made sure the stands put the speakers over the height of the couch.

criptik28 · 03-11-02, 03:56 PM

I think my surrounds are aimed slightly higher than my ears.

bluepenny · 03-11-02, 05:35 PM

http://www.dolbydigital.com/ht/Guide....html#chapter3

hope it helps

Master J · 03-11-02, 06:32 PM

I have my surrounds on the sides of the main listeing position, just slightly higher then ear level. I have found this gives the best results in the sweet spot, though for off axis viewing it is not the best.

I have my EX speakers mounted over head about 5-6 feet high above and behind the main listening position. This creates a more diffuse surround experience throughout the entire room, not just localized in one spot.

J

joe liquor · 03-11-02, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jumbojp
I have a pair of these stands for my surround speakers. They are really nice for the money.

They will also fit 12AWG cable in the pole to hide it!

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=240-762

Thanks for the suggestion, but it looks like my speakers would overwhelm those stands. The B&W 601s are not a small speaker and some people use them as mains. Although the adjustable height would be nice.

joe liquor · 03-11-02, 08:45 PM

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'll narrow the question down now...

First, a few facts...

1) Wall mounting is not an option due to apt. lease and/or plaster walls.
2) A fairly significant (weight/sturdiness) is needed IMO for the B&W 601s

Thus, I will need to place the surrounds on stands. The main option, simply b/c I'm familiar with the stand, is use a 24" stand that places the tweeters at or slightly above ear level, but will result in the woofers partially obstructed by the back of the couch.

I'm a little leary of getting a stand much higher due to the size and weight of the 601s. So in everyone's opinion am I better off placing the surrounds on higher stands and sacrafice some stability or stick with the slightly obstructed set up?

larryw · 03-11-02, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bluepenny
http://www.dolbydigital.com/ht/Guide....html#chapter3

hope it helps

I have mine set up like this, ~3 feet above ear level. I put them on some DVD racks I got from Ikea (about 7"x7"x8') which I shortened a bit by cutting off from the bottom to get the proper height.

CAP · 03-12-02, 04:13 PM

The ideal height for rear surround speakers is standing ear level.

uteotw · 03-12-02, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CAP
The ideal height for rear surround speakers is standing ear level.

Maybe for CAP but not for me. I agree with Master J who said that "I have my EX speakers mounted over head about 5-6 feet high above and behind the main listening position. This creates a more diffuse[d] surround experience throughout the entire room, not just localized in one spot."

That's my preference too--a little higher.

Master J · 03-12-02, 06:20 PM

Jpalm,

Since wall mounting is not an option, your best bet would be to get a decent set of speaker stands then try a few different positions and see what sounds best to you.

If you are just going for best sound in the sweet spot speakers directly on the side at ear height or a bit higher should give you the best results.

If you want a wider listening area, I would put the speakers behind the listening area and raised quite a bit.

J

03-11-02, 12:43 PM	#1
joe liquor Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Section 529, Wrigley Field Posts: 883	Surround Speaker Height...What is Your Opinion? I just purchased surrounds for my system and I am now trying to decide how tall of a stand to purchase for their placement. I'm curious to know everyone's opinions on the proper height for surrounds. My mains are on 18" stands which put the tweeters very close to ear level when sitting. I believe if I get 24" stands for the surrounds those tweeters will be close to ear level, but part of the woofer will be obstructed by the back of the futon. Here is what I'm using: Marantz SR-7000 B&W 602 S2 mains B&W CC6 S2 center B&W 601 S2 rears The mains are on 18" Sound Organisation stands and I can get a pair of 24" stands to match for the rears. Your comments are appreciated.

03-11-02, 01:18 PM	#2
Brian Shannon DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Jun 1999 Location: USA Posts: 11,528	IMHO, the higher the better. Sounds like you cannot wall mount. I would have them at least as high as the mains and higher if possible. Good luck. __________________ Brian Shannon Photography Brian Shannon Photography Blog Brian Shannon on 500px

03-11-02, 06:32 PM	#8
Master J DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,447	I have my surrounds on the sides of the main listeing position, just slightly higher then ear level. I have found this gives the best results in the sweet spot, though for off axis viewing it is not the best. I have my EX speakers mounted over head about 5-6 feet high above and behind the main listening position. This creates a more diffuse surround experience throughout the entire room, not just localized in one spot. J __________________ He was mighty good with mustard. Disclaimer: I do not work for nor have any affiliation with any of the stores that may be mentioned in the preceding post.

03-12-02, 06:20 PM	#14
Master J DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,447	Jpalm, Since wall mounting is not an option, your best bet would be to get a decent set of speaker stands then try a few different positions and see what sounds best to you. If you are just going for best sound in the sweet spot speakers directly on the side at ear height or a bit higher should give you the best results. If you want a wider listening area, I would put the speakers behind the listening area and raised quite a bit. J __________________ He was mighty good with mustard. Disclaimer: I do not work for nor have any affiliation with any of the stores that may be mentioned in the preceding post.

03-11-02, 03:04 PM	#4
jumbojp DVD Talk Special Edition Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Dingleberry Posts: 1,662	I have a pair of these stands for my surround speakers. They are really nice for the money. They will also fit 12AWG cable in the pole to hide it! http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...number=240-762

03-11-02, 03:34 PM	#5
joshd2012 Banned Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Blu-Ray: We Don't Need No Stinkin' Petition Posts: 6,677	I just made sure the stands put the speakers over the height of the couch.

03-11-02, 03:56 PM	#6
criptik28 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 14,809	I think my surrounds are aimed slightly higher than my ears.

03-11-02, 05:35 PM	#7
bluepenny Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 193	http://www.dolbydigital.com/ht/Guide....html#chapter3 hope it helps

03-11-02, 08:45 PM	#10
joe liquor Senior Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Section 529, Wrigley Field Posts: 883	Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll narrow the question down now... First, a few facts... 1) Wall mounting is not an option due to apt. lease and/or plaster walls. 2) A fairly significant (weight/sturdiness) is needed IMO for the B&W 601s Thus, I will need to place the surrounds on stands. The main option, simply b/c I'm familiar with the stand, is use a 24" stand that places the tweeters at or slightly above ear level, but will result in the woofers partially obstructed by the back of the couch. I'm a little leary of getting a stand much higher due to the size and weight of the 601s. So in everyone's opinion am I better off placing the surrounds on higher stands and sacrafice some stability or stick with the slightly obstructed set up?

03-12-02, 04:13 PM	#12
CAP Cool New Member Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 36	The ideal height for rear surround speakers is standing ear level.