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7.1 speaker placement

1000 pardons if this has been covered, I could not find it in a search.

My room setup will not permit me to have the primary sitting area anywhere but against the back wall. This means that to add 6th and 7th channel speakers, they would have to either be mounted on the back wall above facing forward, on the back wall angled down, or in the ceiling pointing down.


I currently have B&W DS7's for surrounds and ideally would use the same for rears- so I have the option of configuring them as mono or di-pole.

Anyone with this room issue gone with 7.1 and how effective was it given that the rears are not behind you?

Thanks!
Craig
cbennet12
cbennet12 OP
5 posts
 
That is an interesting idea, thx.

Btw, should have given a bit of info on my room - 14' wide by 16' long with vaulted ceilings up to 13'. With the surrounds only 14' apart, not sure that leaves much room for rears.
tls49's avatar
tls49
1,351 posts
 

Looks like this article doesn't recommend 7.1 in your situation. Where are your current DS7's positioned, and what's the rest of your system?

Prior to retiring, I sold and supervised install of HT systems in new and existing construction. Only used 5.1 when seating was against back wall. Occasionally, to satisfy a guy's wife that didn't want to see speakers, I would position rears low behind the seating aimed up the back wall toward the ceiling. Actually sounds OK. Never liked back wall mounting, as I thought side wall or ceiling seem to sound better.
cbennet12 OP
5 posts
 
Current DS7's are in the typical suggested surround position - on the side walls aligned with the rear seating and between 2-3 feet above ear level.

I think that's two votes for ceiling -if anything.

Craig
cbennet12 OP
5 posts
 
System is an a Anthem d2v driving a Theta Digital Dreadnaught II, B&W N803's, HTM1 center, and Velodyne DD12 sub.
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dbphd
1,628 posts
 
There is so little value to rear surrounds that I wouldn't, and in fact, don't bother. My rear speakers are 9' behind the main listening area and driven by very good amplifiers that I rarely power up. I also removed the center channel, so I usually run a pair of mains, a pair of surrounds, and a pair of subs. That's with the Oppo BDP-105 that I use for music and HT. The Sony XA5400ES and vinyl are stereo without subs.

db
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