7
Installation
Installation
Figure 1
Figure 2
Locating your Loudspeakers
Loudspeaker placement in a room can greatly affect perfor-
mance. The HT-5 is designed to work as a Left or Right
(Main) Loudspeaker in a Music System or as a Main, Cen-
ter Channel or Surround Loudspeaker, in a Home Theater
System.
The optimal method for selecting speaker locations in-
cludes the use of a real time spectrum analyzer operated by
an experienced system installer. An uncompromising in-
stallation would take into consideration the floor, wall and
ceiling coverings, the type and placement of furniture and
can even include the architectural design of the room and
its construction materials.
Locating Loudspeakers for use in Home Theater
In a Home Theater application, the placement of Left and
Right Front Loudspeakers can be limited by such consider-
ations as the size and location of the video monitor, but the
locating suggestions in the for use in a Music System
section below can still be helpful. Center Channel Loud-
speakers should be placed above or below the video moni-
tor. Side Surround Loudspeakers work best located to ei-
ther side of and above the listening position, the same dis-
tance from the monitor. Back Surround Loudspeakers work
best on the back wall. Refer to figure 1.
Locating Loudspeakers for use in a Music System
When used as Left and Right Speakers, the distance be-
tween the two loudspeakers should not exceed the distance
between the listener and either loudspeaker. If the speakers
are too far apart relative to the listener, some imaging can
be lost. Refer to figure 2. To assure the sound from the left
and right speakers arrive at the same time, the distance
from each loudspeaker to the listener should be as close to
the same as possible. The HT-5 Tweeter should be level
with the listeners ears and placement on a stand is often a
good way to achieve this.
Placement near a wall, corner, floor, ceiling or any in-
tersecting surfaces will reinforce some bass frequencies.
Which bass frequencies are boosted by placement in a par-
ticular location is dependant on the dimensions of the
room. Smaller speakers like the HT-5 can sometimes ben-
efit from this boost, if it occurs at the desired frequencies.
Test the various loudspeaker locations by playing music
with continuous bass, setting up the speakers and listening
to them from the main listening spot. Move the loudspeak-
ers to an alternate location and repeat the listening, paying
attention to how the bass qualities and response levels
change. Do not assume the loudest bass is best; rather lis-
ten for booming or a lack of articulation, as well as a bal-
ance over the whole spectrum, to assure the bass will not
drown out the other parts of the music spectrum.
Experiment with various loudspeaker positions until the
locations that sound best are found.
Logo Placement
The clip-on McIntosh Logo provided with the HT-5 Loud-
speaker system can be located and oriented on the grille by
the user, based on whether vertical or horizontal placement
is to be used. Operation of the HT-5 without its grille is not
recommended, as sound quality would be affected.
