Home theater setup quandary
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Posted on Jan 17, 2012 03:47 pm
Quincysan
http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor Since: Nov 11, 2007
I never miss an opportunity to MSPAINT sketch my configuration woes:
That there's the sitch'. I could put the front left and right speakers at the same distance away from the listening position...but that doesn't give much room for stereo separation. My receiver has distance settings coupled with level settings, so my thought is that even though the front left speaker is over twice as far away from the listening position as the right speaker I can compensate accordingly. What do you think?
Also interested in albums you know of mixed in 5.1. dB mentioned dark side of the moon. Anything else?
Thanks in advance.
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Jan 17, 2012 03:49 pm I believe the height difference will throw off your imaging more than the distance will.
The "distance" setting is cool, and is helpful as we discussed over email...but the front speakers vary from 11 feet to 4 feet... dispersion differences of the sound will be pretty dramatic at that. 2 feet is VERY close, but at least both rears are the same...
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 17, 2012 05:24 pm Have to get out the 'ole tape measure me thinks. You will want the distance to your ears to be the same. Looks to me like you would be better off with the left front speaker on the left wall across from the RF speaker
Jan 17, 2012 06:13 pm Movie choice is questionable :-)
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jan 17, 2012 07:36 pm So one vote for vertical height more important than distance to ears, and one vote for equal distance over all else.
I can correct my plan for either scenario:
Per dB, It's not a big deal to move the left front speaker down a couple feet to match the front right speaker.
Per BH, I can set measure out the distance to the front right speaker, maybe put that speaker on the other side of the door (in the corner? That seems sinful...) and mount the left speaker an equal distance away from the listening position on the ceiling completing an equilateral triangle between my head and the two front speakers.
I just use this projector/home theater setup to play Beaches on repeat for my dog while I'm at work. I don't know why, but my dog loves Bette Midler. I don't watch TV. Can't stand the stuff.
Jan 17, 2012 07:40 pm I didn't say it was more important as a sweeping rule, but what you are showing in your diagram is a VAST difference, and that would be weird.
As a rule you want to same level...ear level. In my setups I have them up toward the ceiling, but all of them are (except the center, center is always right by the TV. In my basement, where I am setting up my latest system, they will be approximately ear level, and each pair (front, side and back) are equidistant from the sweet spot, as it should be.
Jan 17, 2012 07:49 pm I have to go with dB as well on this.
You want your stereo image to be in the same plane. If they are separated, you will get an image that is not concentric. and the sound will be perceived as coming for a different part of the room. And not the center of the TV.
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 17, 2012 10:25 pm Hmm, interesting. OK first off I wasn't suggesting different heights. I just meant that they should be teh same distance away from your ears. The cable lengths should be the same as well.
Jan 17, 2012 11:24 pm I'm sorry BeerHunter. No disrespect intended. For me, the teh can be adjusted with delay, the image is much harder to achieve a concentric image without the speakers being in the same plane.
Jan 18, 2012 06:31 am Well, there is truth in both statements, I mean, yes, the same distance is important, but some differences can be adjusted with the receivers "distance" configuration to compensate for those differences. One thing that I don't see happening however, is the difference in the dispersion field between a speaker being 4 feet from your head and one being 11 feet...I mean, the sound can hit your ears at the same time per the delay configuration, but the 11 foot speaker will have disersed the sound more widely and it will take priority by your perception due to being a little more overwealming due to the dispersion.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Jan 18, 2012 08:33 am any strapping young lad cd's. i suggest Alien. 5.1 maybe more
BeerHunterwww.TheLondonProject.caMember
Since: Feb 07, 2005
Jan 18, 2012 12:06 pm Quote:
any strapping young lad cd's. i suggest Alien. 5.1 maybe more
Had the pleasure of meeting Devin Townsend in a workshop that I attended. Very nice guy.
Anyways, I am still perplexed at this issue and Rob, I would never take offense to something you say. It is about me understanding the information that is being posted so feel free to correct me.
My understanding is that speakers should be equal distance away from walls/corners and ears. It is also my understanding that equal lengths of speaker wire should be used due to impedance. I have always been taught to get the truest sound possible without the use of equipment. IE: not compensating for loudness by using balance etc. Different frequencies are going to be affected by this placement due to room modes. So it is not just the loudness but also the frequencies that would have to be compensated. And to further complicate this... phase
Jan 18, 2012 12:13 pm Not that you asked me, but, I look at a lot of that as nice to haves in a perfect world...but how many of us have a chance to have the perfect room (and understanding spouse) to rearrange a room to suit the whims of a theater...I few extra feet of wire will make some difference, but enough for the common listener to notice? Not likely...whereas 100 feet difference in a high powered FOH system, yeah, maybe in that case...I try to live in the real world and work with what I've got...know what I mean? I've had that debate with Paully a couple times, do the best ya can, but don't worry yourself sick about the minute' is my belief.
Not saying there isn't merit to it, but until I am wiring a mixing room to master the stuff, some of it just isn't practical...
Carry on. Be well. :-)
Quincysanhttp://www.unitedmusicians.infoContributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007
Jan 18, 2012 06:17 pm I guess the real test is to set it up with the receivers distance settings in effect, using a level height plane and as equal a distance as possible for depth. I'm thinking I can move one speaker into the corner opposite the door to get it about 8-10 feet from the listening position. The front right speaker should be mostly mid range so low end buildup due to it being in the corner shouldn't be a huge deal, eh?
Jan 19, 2012 08:49 am It's also said all satellite speakers should be at least 6 feet from your ears for proper sound wave building unless they are nearfield speakers...a good way to manage cabling in an existing room is something most spouses would dig...time to install crown molding in your room and put the wires behind it. I've done it twice, works great and looks awesome.
