Question about front speaker height

[caiman]

I just ordered my new front speakers (Polk RT35i's), and I am now looking for speaker stands. That seems like it wouldn't be a very big deal, but I have a delima. My center speaker is set up so that it is fairly high above my TV, and I really have no other place to put it. What I need to know is how high my front speakers should sit. Should they be even with the TV, or with the center speaker?

I drew some rough pictures of my setup to help explain what I am talking about. I made two, one showing the speakers sitting even with my TV, and one with the speakers sitting closer to the center channel. Here is the first picture:

EDIT: I think you might need to copy and paste these:

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/mydvdpage/setup1.jpg

You can see that the speakers sit at just the right height for the TV, but too low for the center.

Second pic:

http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/mydvdpage/setup2.jpg

Here, the speakers sit well above the viewing level, but closer to the center speaker. I assume this will make for better imaging, but is it too high above the TV?

So which scenerio is better? Is it more important to keep the three speakers aligned, or to keep the mains level with the TV? Thanks for any advice.

[bfrank]

Imaging is not really an issue for a 5.1 system. It is a term used for how stereo speakers blend together seamlessly.

For the stereo part you are better with your first option. The draw back for 5.1 is pans across the front will arc up through the center. I recommend that you put something under the back of your center to aim it at your listening position.

It should be fine.

[caiman]

Thanks bfrank. I asked the same question at the HTF, and they said exactly the same thing. I used my old VHS copy of Sleepers to prop the back end of the center (I knew those things had to be good for something). Thanks!