4
WHERE TO PLACE YOUR SPEAKER SYSTEMS
Effects Of The Wall
The wall or ceiling into which the IW in-wall speaker is placed becomes its acoustical enclosure.
A large part of the system’s acoustical performance is dependent on that enclosure. Generally,
large volumes will ensure full bass extension. Whenever possible, avoid placing the speaker
at either end of along column such as that created between wall studs, the footer, and the
header. Placement at the ends of such a tunnel will create a “closed-end tuned pipe” that can
greatly reduce the bass. Rather than having hard surfaces behind the speakers that will cause
refl ections, lightly fi ll the volume behind the system with fi berglass or other sound absorptive
material.
/
Ensure adequate rear volume (0.5 cubic feet or better).
/
Avoid placing the system at the extreme end of the chamber formed by 2x4 framing.
/
Fill the volume behind the loudspeaker with acoustically absorptive material.
Stereo Image
The distance between the speakers determines the width of the stereo image. If the speakers are
placed to close together, the image will be too narrow; too far apart and the blend will suffer,
creating a “hole in the middle.”
We recommend an angular separation
between 45 degrees and 60 degrees
(when viewed from above). This is
equivalent to a separation between the
speakers that is about 75% to 100% of
the distance from the listener to either
of the speakers.
Creation of “virtual images” (sounds
between the speakers) requires precise
placement. The distance from the left
and right speaker to the listener loca-
tion should all be as equal as possible.
Use a tape measure when selecting
installation locations to check the
loudspeaker-to-listener distance. Ide-
ally, the front channel speakers should
be installed at the same height as the
ears of a seated listener. Try to keep the
front channel tweeters within two ver-
tical feet of that height. When properly
placed, your speakers will create a
continuum of virtual images from left to right, with a convincing illusion of sound outside, in
front of, and behind the speaker systems.
Using As a Surround Speaker
The compact size and neutral tonal quality of the IW speakers makes them perfect for the
surround channels of a home theater system. The best locations for speakers used for surround
sound are directly to the side of the listeners (A) or somewhat behind the listeners (B). If these
locations are not practical, then the rear wall (C) may be use, or even ceiling mounting is ac-
ceptable. Surround speakers should be placed above the level of your ears when you are stand-
ing. Never locate a surround speaker so close to a listener that attention will be drawn to them.
45
o
-60
o
A
B
C
IW Speakers
Optional surround speaker locations
IW-S7 - T7 Manual.indd 4
IW-S7 - T7 Manual.indd 4
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