Originally Posted by BCA

I am at a dilemma and would like some input in making a decision regarding the placement of the side speakers.
I am turning my basement into a multi-use rec-room/home theatre that is roughly shaped like a T.
My main area of the room is 12’10” wide x 31’8” long. I plan on a 100” screen on the short wall, with my seating about 13’-15’ feet from the screen. There will be a pool table at the other end of the room so I am limited to maximum of 15’ for my seating spot.
There is a support beam that runs the length of the room with a support pole that is 19’ from the screen. I am going enclose the beam and pole in drywall.

My two choices for mounting the side speakers that I have are:

Position A. Mounting them on the support beam, and possibly pointing them down towards the couch. This would put them in the proper side position, but they would be about 4-5’ above the viewer on either side of the room.

Position B. Mounting them at ear level, one on the support pole and the other on the outside wall, possibly aiming them forward toward the viewers.
This would put them at the proper height, but they would be about 4-5’ behind the viewer.

My two rear channels will be on the back wall which I don’t think should be a problem for the receiver to compensate for distance wise, but I’m not sure about the sides.

Which position of the two would be the lesser of two evils?

I currently have a Denon AVR-3300, but will be replacing it with an AVR-3808CI.

Thanks,
Brent