System Configuration
Center Front Speaker
When all audio, video and system connectionsUsing these guidelines, youOll find that it takes
have been made, there are a few configurationsome experimentation to find the correct loca-
No more
adjustments that must be made. A few minutestion for the front speakers in your particularthan 24"
spent to correctly configure and calibrate theinstallation. DonOt be afraid to move things
unit will greatly add to your listening experience.around until the system sounds correct. Optimize
your speakers so that audio transitions across
Left FrontRight Front
Speaker Selection and Placementthe front of the room sound smooth, and thatSpeakerSpeaker
The placement of speakers in a multichannelsounds from all speakers appear to arrive at the
A) Front Channel Speaker Installation with
home-theater system can have a noticeablelistening position at the same time (without
Direct-View TV Sets or Rear-Screen Projectors
impact on the quality of sound reproduced.delay from the center speaker compared to the
left and right speakers.)
TV or Projection Screen
No matter which type or brand of speakers is
used, the same model or brand of speakerSurround speakers should be placed on the side
should be used for the front-left, center andwalls of the room, at or slightly behind the Left FrontCenter FrontSpeakerRight Front
SpeakerSpeaker
front-right speakers. This creates a seamlesslistening position. The center of the speaker
front soundstage and eliminates the possibilityshould face into the room. The speakers should
of distracting sonic disturbances that occurbe located so that the bottom of the cabinet
when a sound moves across mismatchedis at least two feet higher than the listenersO
front-channel speakers.ears when the listeners are seated in the
desired area.
Speaker Placement
Depending on the type of center-channelIf side-wall mounting is not practical, the
speaker in use and your viewing device, placespeakers may be placed on a rear wall, behind
the center speaker either directly above orthe listening position. Again, they should be
below your TV, or in the center behind a perfo-located so that the bottom of the cabinet is at
rated front-projection screen.least two feet higher than the listenersO ears.
The speakers should be no more than six feet
No more than 6 feet when rear-mounted speakers are used
Once the center-channel speaker is installed,behind the rear of the seating area.Optional Rear-Wall Mounting
position the left-front and right-front speakers
so that they are as far away from one anotherSubwoofers produce nondirectional sound, soB) The distance between the left and right
as the center-channel speaker is from the pre-they may be placed almost anywhere in aspeakers should be equal to the distance
ferred listening position. Ideally, the front-channelroom. Actual placement should be based onfrom the seating position to the viewing
speakers should be placed so that their tweetersroom size and shape and the type of subwooferscreen. You may also experiment with plac-
are no more than 24" above or below theused. One method of finding the optimal loca-ing the left and right speakers slightly for-
tweeter in the center-channel speaker.tion for a subwoofer is to begin by placing it inward of the center speaker.
the front of the room, about six inches from a
Depending on the specifics of your roomwall, or near the front corner of the room.
acoustics and the type of speakers in use, youAnother method is to temporarily place theAt least 6 inches from ceiling
may find that imaging is improved by movingsubwoofer in the spot where you will normally
the front-left and front-right speakers slightlysit, and then walk around the room until you
forward of the center-channel speaker. If possi-find a spot where the subwoofer sounds best.
ble, adjust all front loudspeakers so that theyPlace the subwoofer in that spot. You should
are aimed at ear height when you are seatedalso follow the instructions of the subwooferOsAt least 2 feet
in the listening position.manufacturer, or you may wish to experiment
with the best location for a subwoofer in your
listening room.
15 SYSTEM CONFIGURATION |
ACEC
