Video:Quick Tip: Proper Speaker Placement for a 7.1 Home Theater
with Chris DavisThe 7.1 speaker system is easy to set up correctly if you follow a few simple guidelines. Watch this About.com video on the proper speaker placement for a 7.1 home theater. Then sit back and enjoy the surround sound experience.See Transcript
Transcript:Quick Tip: Proper Speaker Placement for a 7.1 Home Theater
Hi I'm Chris Davis for About.com. Let's quickly review where to place speakers for a 7.1 surround sound system.
Setting Up 7.1 Surround Sound in a Rectangular Room
The following speaker placement is for a square or rectangular room. You may have to make some slight alterations with a different room shape.
Starting at the front of the room you will place your center, left and right main speakers. The center channel will be directly in front, either above or below the television. Optimal positioning places the speaker at ear level while seated.
The left and right main speakers should be placed on either side of the viewing screen equally apart from the center speaker. If you are mounting on the wall than place them at ear level. If you are using stands then the speakers should be placed inward facing the viewer at about a 30 degree angle.
How to Place the Subwoofer
The subwoofer provides low frequency omnidirectional sound so you can experiment with the placement a little. Start at the front of the room to the left or right of the viewing area. Try to avoid placing directly in a corner. It will produce a booming or muddled bass.
Placing Speakers for Ambient Audio
The two surround speakers should be placed directly to left and right side of the listening area and slightly above to provide ambient audio. Finally the left and right rear speakers should be positioned behind the viewing area on the left and right and slightly above to compliment and fill in the surround experience.
To learn more check us out on the web at About.com. Thanks for watching.