[JamesCB]

I have a Sony V333 ES receiver. In the set up menu, it has settings for speaker distances (from the listening position).
Here's what I don't get: The center speaker cannot be set up to be farther away from you than the front L & R. It can be set up to be closer than the fronts. I don't understand why it is like this. I listen to alot of two-channel (music), and have my mains slightly out into the room for imaging purposes (I know ideally there should be nothing between them, I have a 51" HDTV, but HT and two-channel share the same system). Anyway I am perplexed why the receiver won't let me put the center farther away. As I see it now, the center and mains are set at the same distance, which makes sense, they are about the same distance away. Dose any one's receiver(or Pre/Pro) allow them to set the center closer? What set up would have the center closer than the fronts?
On a side question: How do I know these settings are correct for me, short of getting out the tape measure? Is there a test disc for speaker distance and delay settings? I have Video Essentials, and don't recall seeing anything on there about this.

[Ed St. Clair]

Because Sony "don't get" speaker settings!
It still cracks me up, as well as frustrates me, how many speaker diagrams STILL show the front spks all lined up in a row. Along the front wall.
WRONG!
The spks, as you already know from two channel listening, must be in an arc around the listening area (sweet spot).
Your going to have to take sound pressure measurements.
To ensure, a solid sound field.
Some 'new' receivers, have this as a built-in feature now.
Good luck.
And do not compromise your two channel listening experience, to 'satisfy' the Sony.

[JackS]

Janes- Doesn't your Sony have an ms(millisecond) adjustment for the center? If not, you could try the screen depth setting which is foward, back and off for exact centering. I thnk Sony recommends the off setting for almost all applications but maybe in your case the back setting would be appropiate. I'd give it a try.

If your L/R pair are forward into the room, then they may actually be at the same distance from your ears as the center.

And if so, you don't need any delay settings. Simple geometry, really.

Or you can check with a tape measure, or follow the procedure at the bottom of this link http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/exper.../avia_a2z.html

I have not followed Guy's steps. I just rely on tape measure settings, but if you really want to get down with this, you can.

BGL

[John Garcia]

If you were talking about a large difference in distance, I might consider it a big deal, but if the distance from the seating position is within 1-2', I'd say don't worry about it. Rely on the SPL meter settings to level match, and you should be fine. It IS odd that they don't allow this setting (mine does, Marantz SR8300).

[David Judah]

I just get some old speaker wire(because it is pliable and easy to mark)and use it to measure from my main sweet spot to the Center(since its location is fixed above the TV), then I sweep it out to the right and left sides to get the Mains equidistant(then you don't have to worry about any digital delay).

As others have mentioned, it's an arc, although sometimes it looks like one speaker is closer than another and it still puts the speakers out in front of the TV for imaging purposes. Of course, that is assuming your sweet spot is dead center to the center channel.

DJ

[larry mac]

Quote:

What set up would have the center closer than the fronts?

Almost every setup I would think. The listener usually sits in the middle of the room and the center speaker is usually directly in front of you. The mains are to the left and right and therefore farther away. Actually, in every setup I have ever had, the mains are in a line slightly behind because the center speaker is always under the TV and flush with the front of the TV. Since the TV is in an entertainment center and the TV has a rather large rear portion, the front of the TV sits away from the wall. Thus, the center speaker is quite a bit forward of the mains. There are always other considerations that prevent placing the mains any closer than the rear wall (furniture, wives etc.)

Quote:

How do I know these settings are correct for me, short of getting out the tape measure?

Why is getting out the tape measure a problem? One only has to do it once.

[John Garcia]

Quote:

Almost every setup I would think.

I disagree. With the vast majority of systems that have their center above the display, the center will very often be slightly further away. I don't think your setup is an example of what is typical.

My mains are somewhat closer than the center, because I pull them further out into the room (more music than movies). Most speakers will benefit from being placed away from near-by walls and furniture.

[BenK]

Quote:

I disagree. With the vast majority of systems that have their center above the display, the center will very often be slightly further away.

I would agree with Larry in that I would think the big majority of people (home theater fanatics or not) have their front three speakers lined in a row meaning the center would be closer. You would have to have your left/right speakers pulled quite a bit into the room to have your center further away than your left and right speakers.

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

Quote:

The spks, as you already know from two channel listening, must be in an arc around the listening area (sweet spot).

Ideally yes, but not always practical, especially for people who don’t have a dedicated room. That’s why they have provisions to delay the center.

Quote:

I disagree. With the vast majority of systems that have their center above the display, the center will very often be slightly further away. I don't think your setup is an example of what is typical.

I’m guessing you have a dedicated room, right John? I’m betting the majority of HT systems in use don’t and therefore have the center closer than the R/L.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt