Greetings,
My wife and I are in the process of having a house built, and I't going to be running surround speaker wires after the electrition is done in a couple weeks. Anyway, I'm currently using Pro Logic receiver, and the JBL Flix 20 surrounds. My question is, where should the surrounds go? I've heard both to the sides, and behind. I'm afraid I'm not going to be able to take my entire system out there before hand to decide which sounds better, so I need the advise. Please also note that I'll be upgrading my receiver to DD/DTS, and a new speaker set(take 5, quintets, etc.), so I want to choose the location they'll sound best now and in the future. Like I said, I have to decide within a couple of weeks.

Also, what speaker wire do you suggest for using for running surrounds?

Can you describe the room..
Also look here...
http://talk.dvdtalk.com/ubb/Forum5/HTML/006584.html

14-16 gauge is sufficient for running surrounds. Don't forget to run a single RCA cable from where your TV is.... to behind your couch. This is for the subwoofer.

I would put the rears on the sides about 2ft higher then your ears would be on the couch.

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Mike

Thanks for your input. I'm thinking the speakers will hang from the ceiling(pointing down to a point slightly above the listening area) as far to the sides of the listening position as possible.

My concern with the speaker wire was whether I need some better cables so they will last longer(if it's even an issue).

My house is going to be very open. The entertainment center will be in the corner, and my sofa and loveseat will almost come to a point opposite, making it a near diamond shape. to the rear of the house is the kitchen, and to the other side is the dining room. There are no seperating walls for either.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by ESUguy:
Thanks for your input. I'm thinking the speakers will hang from the ceiling(pointing down to a point slightly above the listening area) as far to the sides of the listening position as possible.<HR>

This may not be a good idea. Please explain in more detail what you mean by hanging the speakers from the ceiling.

Well, I know the speakers point to a point about 2-3ft. above the listener. This is going to be in the open, so I won't be able to have any walls to mount them on, and speaker stands would be in the middle of a walking area. I figured I could be some ceiling mounts, and mount them so they point to a spot directly over my head. Bad idea?

-J

I do not think aiming the rears down is a good idea. Rear speakers are not supposed to be aimed at the listener. They are supposed to be placed 3 feet above the listening position to minimize localization effects. This is not how the rear speakers were meant to be placed and it will cut down on the reflections of the sound throughout the room. You should aim the surrounds straight across the room not down at viewers because this helps to create a more open and spacious surround soundfield. For more information try this link http://www.dolby.com/ht/sound/sound3.html

I didn't figure I would point them straight down. I was planning to hang the speakers from the ceiling, at a slightly downward angle. We will have 9ft ceilings, so I was thinking maybe aim them at a point 3ft above my head?

-J

quote:<HR>You should aim the surrounds straight across the room not down at viewers because this helps to create a more open and spacious surround soundfield. For more information try this link http://www.dolby.com/ht/sound/sound3.html<HR>

I thought this was clear but I guess not. Just refer to the Dolby site. They list some good alternatives if there is no wall behind your listening position. I strongly reccomend against trying to aim the speakers downward. You will lose a lot of the effects or rear speakers. If anyone else has some ideas then please do give them. A sketch of your future room setup would probably be very helpful.

quote:<HR>You should aim the surrounds straight across the room not down at viewers because this helps to create a more open and spacious surround soundfield. For more information try this link http://www.dolby.com/ht/sound/sound3.html<HR>

I thought this was clear but I guess not. Just refer to the Dolby site. They list some good alternatives if there is no wall behind your listening position. I strongly reccomend against trying to aim the speakers downward. You will lose a lot of the effects or rear speakers. If anyone else has some ideas then please do give them. A sketch of your future room setup would probably be very helpful.

Okay well earlier this morning ESUguy had another reply posted but i guess it got deleted somehow. Anyway here is my response to your earlier post ESUguy:

quote:<HR>You should aim the surrounds straight across the room not down at viewers because this helps to create a more open and spacious surround soundfield. For more information try this link http://www.dolby.com/ht/sound/sound3.html<HR>

I thought this was clear but I guess not. Just refer to the Dolby site. They list some good alternatives if there is no wall behind your listening position. I strongly reccomend against trying to aim the speakers downward. You will lose a lot of the effects or rear speakers. If anyone else has some ideas then please do give them. A sketch of your future room setup would probably be very helpful.