Speaker placement in 50" wide media niche (1 Viewer)

[James Herrod]

I will soon be moving to a new home with a 50" wide media niche, and a fireplace right next to it. That seems to be the trend with new homes these days. This will pretty much require me to put the left and right mains inside the media niche in a cabinet below the 50" TV. I don't want to do in-wall or on wall for the mains. My question is, would I get accurate reproduction from the front soundstage with the mains below the screen, as opposed to on either side? I've seen some custom HT's set up this way. Wondering if I'll be giving up some performance. Thanks.

 

[Mike LS]

You need some seperation between the front channels for sure. Cramming 3 speakers in a 5' space will greatly reduce the surround effect, especially if you're sitting more than a few feet away.