Quick Question on optimal Speaker Positioning (1 Viewer)

[Mike Hartman]

I have a quick question that relates to my boss' home theater. He asked me to help him place his speakers since I have a basic knowledge of this stuff.. I've made 5 mockups of possible speaker placements (5.1, 6.1, 7.1) with pros/cons to each.. My main question I suppose is whether side channels for a 6/7 channel setup *must* be directly even w/ the sitting position or if they can be mounted as dipoles, closer to the TV..

Basic info:
[*]My boss is not a HT buff, so expert installs and sound dampening are not a concern, as long as it sounds "good" to a guy who likes to watch movies occasionally..[*]The TV sits up front a little off center due to double doors[*]windows to the left of the sitting position, room is 13x13 I believe (I know, small)..[*]I'm looking for the best sound w/ as much future proofing as the size/features of the room will allow[/list]
Diagrams:

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1. 7.1 setup, side dipole speakers mounted 3ft in front of the sitting position, rear surrounds mounted directly above/behind the couch
2. 6.1 setup, side dipole speakers mounted 3ft in front of the sitting position, rear surround mounted directly above/behind the couch
3. 5.1 setup, surround (dipole?) speakers mounted on sides, directly even with the sitting position, 4ft plus above floor level (due to a doorway)
4. 5.1 setup, surround (dipole?) speakers mounted on rear walljust beyond the outside of the couch, just above ear level
5. 6.1 setup, surrounds mounted way above ear level again, rear surround mounted just above ear level direct behind the couch

I would really appreciate some advice as to which setup will get him the best sound for his buck in terms of current and future audio tracks.. Thanks!

 

[Will d s]

I would go with 6.1 at least and probably the 7.1 so you already have it set up for future upgrades.

 

[Mike Hartman]

Any thoughts on how the side speakers would perform if mounted a few feet in front of the listening position or almost up against the back wall about 7ft off the floor? Also, what about having the rear surrounds on the wall the couch will be placed against, is that too close to the ear for rear surrounds?

 

[SteveLeach]

Just a thought. Why not rotate everything 90 degrees ccw? Put the TV between the windows. The couch against the opposite wall. Then speaker placement for 6.1 would work.

 

[Mike Hartman]

I don't think the space between the windows offers enough room for a 40-46" TV, otherwise that might work.. Although I'd worry about contending with light coming in through the window while watching TV..

I think I've made a decision for my boss to go with a 5.1 setup, but using the omnipolar Mirage speakers in the back corners to give him as much sound dispersion as possible.. I hope that works for him.. The guy I spoke with at Tweeter seemed to think that putting rear surrounds on the wall the couch is against would not offer much in terms of 6.1 separation..