Positioning rear speakers in 5.1 speaker layout

[admin_exported]

I'm just in the process of installing wiring in my lounge, and was wondering what the best position for the rear speakers in a 5.1 setup would be given that they'll have to be ceiling mounted.

My sofa will be positioned about 1.5m from the rear of the room, so I could either mount the speakers at the back of the room, or directly above the back of the sofa. I'm not sure which of these two positions would give the best surround effect. Also if I wire for 7.1 sound, does this affect the positioning of the rear two, or would they remain in the same place.

Thanks in advance. Bicks

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Bicks"]
I'm just in the process of installing wiring in my lounge, and was wondering what the best position for the rear speakers in a 5.1 setup would be given that they'll have to be ceiling mounted.

My sofa will be positioned about 1.5m from the rear of the room, so I could either mount the speakers at the back of the room, or directly above the back of the sofa. I'm not sure which of these two positions would give the best surround effect. Also if I wire for 7.1 sound, does this affect the positioning of the rear two, or would they remain in the same place.

Thanks in advance. Bicks
[/quote]

5.1 surrounds aren't placed at the rear, they are placed at the side of your seating position, slightly behind your ear. 7.1 has "rear" speakers behind you.

Wall mount some speakers instead?

 

[Anonymous]

Eddie. Thanks for your answer. I can only wall mount on the right hand side. The right hand wall is about 2m away, but the left hand speaker would be about 8m away and there is a glass sliding door there. I guess I could set them both at high level 2m to the left and 2m to the right. Would that work?

 

[Anonymous]

my rear speakers are 2.5m off the floor and about 2m behind my sofa. Ive angled them down and inwards and they sound just fine.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="mark2"]my rear speakers are 2.5m off the floor and about 2m behind my sofa. Ive angled them down and inwards and they sound just fine.[/quote]

You may think so, but it doesn't make it right. Your speakers are completely way off, not only are they way too far behind you, they are also way too high and angle downwards. You couldn't make it any worse!

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Eddiewood, I hear what you are saying bu 90% of people have their lounge as their cinema room. It's the lounge first and speaker placement is therefore is done as best as possible. I have my rear speakers angled down and high above my sofa. It's not perfect but it's better than no rear speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Bicks"]
Eddie. Thanks for your answer. I can only wall mount on the right hand side. The right hand wall is about 2m away, but the left hand speaker would be about 8m away and there is a glass sliding door there. I guess I could set them both at high level 2m to the left and 2m to the right. Would that work?
[/quote]

There aren't many that have an ideal room, myself included! I have to use surround stands in a less than perfect position.

I can only tell you what I believe the recommendations are. Place them at the side of your seating position, just behind your ear, a couple of feet above your head. Don't point them downwards, the sound is supposed to go across, not down. Other than that, do the best you can as your room permits.

The main point being, they are not REAR speakers in a 5.1 set-up as some here appear to think 🙂

 

[Gerrardasnails]

Again, I understand what you are saying. However, if it's not feasible to have the surround speakers (I think that is the proper definition) to the side of your listening position, behind you is fine. Surround back speakers (definition in a 7.1) are what we seem to be using in a 5.1. Not the end of the world.

 

[Anonymous]

[quote user="Gerrardasnails"]Again, I understand what you are saying. However, if it's not feasible to have the surround speakers (I think that is the proper definition) to the side of your listening position, behind you is fine. Surround back speakers (definition in a 7.1) are what we seem to be using in a 5.1. Not the end of the world.[/quote]

Whether something is feasible or not is up to the original poster, not me. I gave the facts as I understand them, it's up the OP to fit that into their room, merely saying it'll be fine is not giving out correct information.

 

[Anonymous]

i agree in principle, BUT if you have no choice as per the original question, then behind is fine. If you use the automatic set~up from your receiver as i have done then this makes allowances for positioning and height and adjust the accoustics accordingly. Also, and i quote from the whfsv mag ref "rear spkrs in a 5.1 set up" ,"more angle gives a more direct sound".

 

[Anonymous]

You can quote all you like, read the Dolby specs.

 

[Anonymous]

if you havent got a choice where your speakers go put em above and about 4 in back of your direct hearing zone and let the sound rain down on you mate most of all enjoy . good luck

 

[Anonymous]

Thankyou everyone for your advice. I can mount the speakers left and right just behind ear position. Unfortunately they are going to have to hang from the ceiling at about 2m so it's not an ideal arrangement, but I'll just have to live with it.