Need Help With My Speaker Layout (1 Viewer)

[earnhardtjp]

Can't figure out where to place my speakers, also would a 5.1 or 7.1 be better in a long room. Here is what I've got to work with......

 

[earnhardtjp]

 

[earnhardtjp]

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[earnhardtjp]

My plans are to place my drop down screen over the window using a blackout curtain to cover the light. When I am done watching the movie I can put the screen up and still use the window. Now, speakers I am going in-wall for space and looks but need some help on this. Narrow room long lay, picture a bonus room with the 8' ceiling pitched to 4 foot side walls.

Option 1: 5.1

Horizontal center speaker under window
Vertical speakers on the sides of the window out a little for room balance
Rear speakers ehh I don't know? Round ceiling mount?


Option 2. 7.1

Center Speaker under window?
6 ceiling speakers evenly placed apart starting front to rear?

Option 3

Open to anything

 

[AudioENG]

I've seen a few different things done in your situation. I like using the bipole or dipole surround speakers vs in-ceiling if you have the ability to do this.
http://www.definitivetech.com/Products/products.aspx?path=Surround Speakers&productid=BPX

Someone can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think 7.1 would be the best for this setup as I believe those are suppose to go behind you and I'm not sure you will be able to have a true 7.1 setup. I guess you could do a set of speakers parallel with you as the Left and right surround, and then another set further back as the back right and left. But I'm not sure that would be advantageous.

I've also seen where some people run 2 sets of 5.1 rear speakers in parallel, here you would get the same sound out of each set of surround speakers but they would be spread out to cover more area. Not sure if this is recommended for some amps.

 

[soundprogress]

Where is the main seating position? What is more important to you, effects or fidelity? the setup would depend on the answers to those questions.

I've done lots of rooms like yours. Usually something can be figured out that works well.

 

[earnhardtjp]

The main seating will be the sofa in the back of the room. This will be the one facing the projector head on. Effects or fidelity, ehh I like to hear how accurate the sound is but mainly effects. Example I am watching Band of Brothers I want to hear the bullets whizzing by and the ricochet effects as well as the mortars and bombs going off. Not only that but when a Panzer tanks rolls through the set, I want it to sound like it is coming through my theater room.

 

[earnhardtjp]

 

[earnhardtjp]

This is sort of what I had in mind for the front of the room.

 

[earnhardtjp]

For the back, I am confused here. Thinking round ceiling mount directional 6 /12 speakers over the rear sofa or the in-walls on either side of the sofa but I don't think the sound would be great. Friend of mine suggested rear satellite speakers?

 

[soundprogress]

There aren't any dimensions on the drawings but if the image is close:

1. You shouldn't expect too much panning, sound across the front, from the speakers in front. By time you're that far back the room contributes almost as much to the energy as the front speakers do so the point source of the front speakers is diminished. It doesn't mean it will be bad but don't expect the sound image to be really wide.
2. In order to get good front to back image (bullets whizzing by) you need the speakers to be behind you. The side, if any for 7.1, would be beside or slightly behind you.
3. In ceiling speakers, round or otherwise, tend to focus sound downward like a flood light. If the ceiling height is low then being outside that area will reduce fidelity and surround effectiveness. Bi-polar or di-polar in ceiling surrounds (drivers pointing in different directions) may work fine for side surround mounted in the pitched area. You need to see if they would point near your seating area. Rear surround probably shouldn't be in ceiling. Your friend is correct, rear satellite speakers are a good idea. They would be mounted on the ceiling or rear wall or on stands pointed at rear of your head.
4. You could do #3 and forget about the sides if it's a budget issue.

 

[earnhardtjp]

Cool thanks for the help, to give a better idea I pulled the room dimensions for you.

Width - 12 ft wall to wall

Rear seated area to front wall- (projection screen) - 19 ft

Remaining space behind the seated area - 4 ft

Wall height floor to pitch- 5'7"

Also the satellite speakers I agree will be the best for sound quality and adjustment.

 

[AudioENG]

Directional sound from ceiling speakers is not the way to go for obtaining the best surround effects.

I would agree that bipole/dipole or satellite speakers would give you more of the sound you are looking for. I've heard quite a few systems with a room similar to this and I really liked the setup with 2 sets of dipole speakers one parallel with you and one further back. This sounded awesome, like I was in a real theater. And they make dipoles/bipoles that aren't very big if that's part of the issue.

 

[earnhardtjp]

 

[earnhardtjp]

If I went parallel and further back with the bipole/dipole, would this be an example of the layout?

 

[AudioENG]

yes exactly what I was picturing. The dipoles are setup to give you best sound either behind you or parallel, this would be best for the main seating area, and still would provide good sound for those seated in front.

One doctor I knew had almost this exact setup in his basement. He had a project in a narrow room, and had two sets of definitive technology dipole surround speakers, and it was the first time I saw this setup and I was pretty impressed. A local audio specialist did the install and must have recommended it for his room.

 

[CB750]

Dolby Labs offers this interactive guide to helping you set up 2.1, 5.1, and 7.1 systems. Follow these for your speaker and furniture placement. Remember it's not just were you place the speakers but where you place the furniture in relation to the speakers that will maximize your HT experience.

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/speaker-setup-guide/index.html