Help with rear speaker placement in this room (with diagram) (1 Viewer)

[Jason_Chen_LA]

I'm in the process of setting up a 5.1 HT surround system. Here is a diagram of the room size and layout:

http://www22.brinkster.com/seafan/temp/ht.jpg

with the position of TV and sofa shown in the diagram, the brick fireplace next to the sofa presents the problem. from what I read, the ideal position for surround speakers is about 2-3 feet above ear level, on the side, which is position #5 and #6. this would work if the speakers are monopole, but the surround speakers that go with the fronts maybe bipolar speakers.

In that case, Position #5 would not work - it's right next to the brick wall of the fireplace. because of the open doorway#1, the next possibility is Position #3 & #4, which are 4 feet behind the sofa - is that too much behind the listening position for bipolar speakers? and for P#3, the sound waves would hit the fireplace brick wall 4 feet away on one side, and the open doorway #4 on the other - would that be a problem?

or, I could put them above open doorway #1 (7 feet high), at position #7, and P#8 on the other side. would that be too high? would P#7 too close to the brick wall (2 feet)?

Position #1 & #2 would be the back wall, and none of the info I got so far suggests to put bipolar speakers on the back wall.

Given the configuration of this room, should I avoid bipolar speakers all together, and get a pair of monopole speakers so I could put them on the sides of listening position?

thanks!

Jason

 

[Rick_Brown]

You pic is not accessible.

 

[Jason_Chen_LA]

here is another link to the diagram:

http://www.photo.net/photodb/photo?p...168652&size=lg

 

[Scott*B]

7-8 or 3-4

 

[Scott*B]

Actually 3-4 is what I'd do. Back wall is no good. Don't want em too high over door and next to that fireplace is no good either.

 

[Wayne A. Pflughaupt]

I’ve never heard a system where the rears where directly to the sides of the seating that sounded right. The sound is exactly like the layout – all to the sides and out in front. To me it’s not surround sound, and not enveloping, unless the rears are actually behind you.

I'd go with 3&4, and maybe angle them towards the sofa.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt