Crestron
Surround Sound
Primer
Surround Speaker Placement Optimized
for Movie Soundtracks
The surround speakers should be placed alongside and slightly to the
rear of (but not behind) the primary seating position, two to three feet
above ear level to help minimize localization effects, and aimed
directly across the listening area, not down at the listeners. This
arrangement creates a surround soundfield throughout the listening
area.
Surround EX Speaker Placement
Dolby Digital Surround EX (7.1) encodes Dolby Digital program with
additional rear surround channels for playback over two additional
surround speakers placed behind the viewer. Surround EX program
material is fully compatible with regular Dolby Digital 5.1 playback
(the additional center rear information is split between the left and right
rear surround channels). Rear channel speakers should be placed at an
angle of 60 to 90 degrees to the prime listening spot.
Ideal 7.1 Speaker Placement (Subwoofer not shown)
Flat Response
A flat response is a theoretical ideal for audio components, representing
a frequency response that does not deviate from a flat line (0 dB) over
the audible frequency spectrum. A perfectly flat response is practically
impossible in the real world. The interactions with the room and
surfaces in the room alter the waveforms. A flat response from a home
theater system is not very pleasing to the human ear. Ideally, you first
attain the flattest response possible, and then adjust the system to the
listener’s preference.
Generally, audio component response specifications are given as a
function of the frequency range. For example, a speaker can have a flat
Primer – DOC. 6122
Surround Sound
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