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16. SPEAKER SET-UP GUIDE
Front Speaker Placement
The left, right, and center speakers should be equidistant from the main listening position. Try to
set up the speakers so that they are reasonably symmetrical to room surfaces. A tape measure
may be very helpful.
2. Subwoofer Placement
One possible location for the subwoofer is the corner with the best structural strength. If the
corners are roughly equal in construction, use the corner nearest the listening position. If the
listening position is in the front half of the room, place the subwoofer in a front corner. If it is in the
back of the room, place the subwoofer in a back corner. If possible, avoid corners near doorways
or openings.
If you are willing to experiment, another option is to place the subwoofer at the listening position
and walk around the room. Stand in and near each corner. The location where you hear the
tightest bass with the most impact is probably the best location in the room for the subwoofer. If
multiple subwoofers are used, try placing them in the same position, stacked or side by side.
Another option for multiple subwoofers is to place them in different locations. This is appropriate
when you have limited choices in locating the subwoofer and none of the available locations work
well. Try to place multiple subwoofers at equal distances from the listening position to avoid
phase cancellation.
3. Surround Speaker Placement
Determine the best position in the room. It will probably be the position directly to the right and left
of the main listening position on the side walls (so that a listener in the center seat is directly
between the speakers). If that doesn’t work or is not practical because of the room, try these
locations: on the ceiling; on the back wall.
4.
Install all wiring and interconnects.
5.
Connect the subwoofer.
Always use the processor/receiver’s subwoofer (or LFE) output.
6.
Aim the front left and right speakers in both the horizontal and vertical planes.
Horizontal toe-in may help to achieve the best possible imaging.
7. A single rear surround speaker (6.1) should face the front center speaker.
A pair of surround back speakers (7.1) should face the left and right front speakers.
SPECIAL NOTE: Always check the processor/receiver’s owner’s manual. Different
manufacturers use different descriptions for the same function, and sometimes the same
description for different functions! Your component may use terminology different from
that used here.
