Surround speaker distances… help needed please….

[Bahtman]

I know the recommended placement is 90-120 degrees, but what about the optimum distance between them?

I’ve looked and looked and all I could find was… ”They should be raised to a height of approximately six feet and should ideally have a minimum space of six feet between them, as well.”

I have two options available to me and would like some opinions.

1. I can locate the left surround at only about 80 degrees and 15 ft. from the mlp and the right side at the recommended 90-120 at about 13 ft. from the mlp.

2. I can increase the size of the area rug and get both at the 90-120 degree mark but then they’d only be about 6.5 ft. each from the mlp.

Getting a rug that big would allow me to run the wires from the AVR under it and to their locations L and R of the mlp but at an added cost of about $1000.00. (Rugs are costly here in Thailand and I’d be combining three to get the size I need.)

Additionally, given these parameters, would monopole or bi-pole work the best given your recommendation on 1 or 2?
It’s a large room, 22’ front to back and 35 ft. left to right.

I’ve got either Focal 926’s or KEF Q 900’s in mind using a Denon X4100W and Martin Logan Dynamo 1500 sub using a 5.1 setup.

Surrounds to be determined based on your opinions.

I know the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 calibration will help in whatever location I select, but what would be your choice?

Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Bahtman]

Nobody...anybody?

 

[Mike]

There's a few HT guys around here, but most of us are two channel guys. I do have a HT, but I stuck my surrounds wherever they fit best in the room. Proper Audyssey (or other brand) room EQ in a decent SSP will correct for any variances of distance from the center listening spot.

So go with #1, calibrate, enjoy.

 

[CPP]

Regarding speaker placement, its really going to depend on the room size and like Mike noted, where it sounds best. My rear surrounds are 5 ft off each side of the rear setting position and 12ft from the front L&R speakers. Why because there is walking areas further out and back. It was the only spot to place the speakers. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 which I use gets you started, but you can override the settings to boast your center channel or boast volume of a individual speaker if you choose or change settings to suit your listening taste. I say just try different areas from your main listening position and see what you like.

PS: a simple guide on placement http://www.thx.com/consumer/home-entertainment/home-theater/surround-sound-speaker-set-up/

 

[Bahtman]

There's a few HT guys around here, but most of us are two channel guys. I do have a HT, but I stuck my surrounds wherever they fit best in the room. Proper Audyssey (or other brand) room EQ in a decent SSP will correct for any variances of distance from the center listening spot.

So go with #1, calibrate, enjoy.

Thanks for the response and opinion. The AVR would probably be a Denon X4100 W with Aud MultEQ XT32 that should do the trick.

 

[Bahtman]

Regarding speaker placement, its really going to depend on the room size and like Mike noted, where it sounds best. My rear surrounds are 5 ft off each side of the rear setting position and 12ft from the front L&R speakers. Why because there is walking areas further out and back. It was the only spot to place the speakers. Audyssey MultEQ XT32 which I use gets you started, but you can override the settings to boast your center channel or boast volume of a individual speaker if you choose or change settings to suit your listening taste. I say just try different areas from your main listening position and see what you like.

Thanks CCP.
My room size is quite large (see attached for existing layout) with a volume of about 12000ft./3.
I've gotten everything from "6-12 between the surrounds" to "towers in all positions" and I agree, go with what sounds the best, but there are no in-home demo's here (Thailand) and no exchanges, so I've got to get it right the first time.
I know acoustics will be a challenge, but I'll deal with that after a setup.