5
Installation
Location in the Room
The McIntosh HT30 Loudspeaker is specifically optimized
for Surround Sound Applications. The Loudspeakers are
intentionally designed to create a very diffused sound
field. The HT30 uses a dipolar radiation pattern to achieve
this performance. A dipole Loudspeaker radiates sound
both forward and backward, with an acoustic null located
at the horizontal center of the enclosure. If a dipole Loud-
speaker is placed such that the listeners are seated within
the null, they will hear surround sound only after it has
been randomly reflected off the walls of the room. The
listener will perceive no specific direction for Surround
Sound. Refer to figure 1.
The HT30 achieves this dipolar radiation via indepen-
dent forward and rearward firing Loudspeaker Drivers
connected in antiphase to assure a cancellation null at
right angles. Complete mirror symmetry of forward and
rearward firing faces of the HT30 assure a deep broadband
null of all directional frequencies for any position on the
dividing plane of the system. This includes upward and
downward elevation angles and allows the HT30 to be
mounted in a variety of heights on the side wall (or even on
the ceiling), as long as the listener is on the dividing plane
between left and right halves of the HT30.
Varying the Sound Field
Some listeners will want a less diffused and more direc-
tional effect from their surround Loudspeakers. To them,
sound panning off screen, such as jets flying overhead, are
more important than the creation of a diffused sound field.
This is perfectly acceptable and can be achieved by mount-
ing the HT30 Loudspeakers so that the listener is not in the
null of the system but 30 degrees forward or backward of
the null. The selected volume level of the surround speak-
ers will also play a major role in determining whether the
surround effects are obvious or subtle.
In very large installations, more than one pair of HT30
Loudspeakers can be used. This would apply in home
installations with two, three or more rows of theater style
seating. For such installations install a pair of HT30 sys-
tems in the normal way adjacent to the first seating row.
For every third or fourth row behind, install an additional
pair. Refer to figure 2.
Installing the Loudspeaker
HT30
(Left)
HT30
(Left)
HT30
(Right)
HT30
(Right)
Figure 1
HT30
(Right)
HT30
(Left)
HT30
(Right)
HT30
(Left)
HT30
(Left)
HT30
(Right)
Figure 2
