5
PLACEMENT OF THE SURROUND SPEAKERS
There are many opinions about where surround or “rear” speakers should be mounted. The
following is based on the fi ndings of the best academics, and on our experience with many in-
stallations. These placement recommendations apply to all the IC models. The illustration below
shows the speakers custom-installed in recesses in the wall. Alternatively the equivalent in-wall
models could be used.
If two surrounds are used in a standard 5.1 confi guration (not 7.1 or EX), they are best mounted
to the sides of the listening area. This means straight to the sides of the listener or in line with
the primary row of seating, plus or minus 15 degrees. This is preferred over back wall mounting
for several reasons: It places the surrounds at locations where the difference between left ear
and right ear discrimination is at a maximum. This gives the maximum sense of “envelopment”
or being surrounded by sound. Rear mounted speakers force a huge angular gulf between the
front primary speakers and the rear speakers. The sound image is inherently discontinuous. Also,
front to rear aural discrimination is not very strong. Differentiation between front and rear
speakers will not be as strong as the effect of adding speakers to the side. 7.1 or EX systems
that use side and rear speakers together overcome all of these obstacles and give both maxi-
mum envelopment and a more continuous surround effect.
A second factor to consider is the evenness of sound coverage over the seating area. Most
surround processors have features for setting the balance of all channels. A circulating noise
signal is adjusted in each channel until the apparent or measured sound level is even. Of course,
moving to another seat will shift this balance somewhat. Well-placed surround speakers will
minimize the level variation from seat to seat. The best way to achieve evenness is to increase
the distance of the surround speakers from the listening area. Mount them high on the side
walls or even on the ceiling. As a good rule of thumb, surrounds should be on the side walls at
least one foot above the height of a standing listener. If the speakers are ceiling-mounted, they
should be close to the side walls, well away from an overhead position.
If a large theater room with three or more rows of seats is planned, then more than one pair of
surround speakers should be used to give more even coverage and a more diffuse sound fi eld.
We recommend that a pair of surrounds be used for every other seating row (the fi rst, the third,
the fi fth, etc.). This follows standard cinema practice.
/PTIONAL$IRECT2ADIATION
3URROUND3PEAKER,OCATIONS
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