15°
15°
Owner’s Manual
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Location of Surround Speakers
Starke Sound has provided the following information for the placement of surround
speakers. Although there are many opinions regarding placement and location of
surround speakers Starke Sound has provided the following recommendations based on
thorough research, academics, and our experience with many installations. Note: The
choice of models used in the illustration below is arbitrary. The information described in
the illustrations can be applied to both the IW and the IC series covered in this manual
and in any of the surround locations. However, please keep in mind that the
midrange/tweeter array in the IC-H7 and IW-H7 must always be vertically oriented.
If two surrounds are used in a standard 5.1 configuration (not 7.1 or EX), they are best
mounted directly to the sides of the primary seating location, preferably within ±15° (see
illustration). This placement is the preferred method over back wall mounting for a few
reasons: 1. the placement of the surround speakers are located where the ear's ability to
discriminate left from right is optimum. This produces the maximum sense of
"envelopment" being surrounded by sound, 2. Mounting the rear speakers behind the
listener increases the angle between the front and rear speakers. This results in
reducing the chance that there will be a continuous front-to-rear sound image, lastly, 3.
Since our ability to discriminate the front-to-rear location of a sound source is not very
strong, locating surround speakers to the side of the listener will improve the listening
experience. 7.1 or EX systems that use side and rear speakers together overcome all of
these obstacles and give both maximum envelopment and a more continuous surround
effect.
Another factor that one must consider is the evenness of sound coverage over the
listening area. As most surround processors have the ability to set the balance of all
channels, it is wise to adjust a circulating noise signal in each channel until the apparent
or measured sound level is even. Alternatively, the listener can move to another seat and
the resultant shift will be balance somewhat. Surround speakers placed properly will
minimize the level variation from seat to seat. Increasing the distance of the surround
speakers from the listening area is the best way to improve evenness. Mounting the
speakers high on the side walls or in the ceiling will improve the listening experience.
Surround speakers should be mounted at a minimum of one foot (305 mm) above the
height of a standing listener. Note: In the event of ceiling-mounted speakers, be sure to
place the speakers close to the side walls well away from an overhead position.
If you are planning a large theater room with three or more rows of seating, one needs to
consider that there should be more than one pair of surround speakers in order to give
more even coverage and a more diffuse sound field. Starke Sound recommends that a
pair of surround speakers be used for every other seating row (first, third, fifth, etc.). This
method mimics the standard for most cinema applications.
Alternate Surround Speaker Locations
Preferred Surround Speaker Locations
