In this guide to speaker placement, we explain the basic rules for setting up a stereo or abode movie theatre system, with focus on the ideal distances and heights. We besides give tips on dissimilar types of speakers such as centre, dipoles and direct radiators.

Try as all-time as you can to comply with the recommendations for speaker placement. AV receivers offering a broad range of options that compensate for any compromises that you may demand to take in terms of installation. In general, this rule always applies anyway: you can always use the recommendations as a guideline but tin of class experiment to discover what works best in your room acoustically. Let your ears make up one's mind!

Yous can find our more about room acoustics, which accept a big influence on the sound of your home cinema system, in this article.

Speaker set-upwardly for stereo systems

The rules for stereo speakers are basically applicable to all multi-channel configurations with front speakers. The 2 speakers and the listening area should ideally class the and then-called stereo triangle. This means that the distance betwixt the ii speakers is every bit big as the distance between the listener and the two loudspeakers (which would result in an isosceles triangle if yous imagine connecting lines).

The front speakers should be placed at an angle of threescore degrees to the listening area. The conversion factor of 0.87 tin be used to summate the platonic distance between the sitting position and the centre between the speakers – where the Tv set should be. The tip of the stereo triangle is often referred to as a sweet spot.

Example calculation: 4 m (speaker altitude) x 0,87 = 3,48 m

Represenation of the stereo triangle
Represenation of the stereo triangle

ii.1: calculation a subwoofer to your stereo arrangement

The rules for positioning a subwoofer apply regardless of the specific speaker configuration in which it is placed. In general, the position of the subwoofer in the room is not quite so important anyway, because it is hard for our ears to locate an accurate source of bass frequencies. It is essentially a matter of ensuring that the bass  tin spread out into the room in the right way.

The subwoofer should exist able to emit the sound waves freely into the room and should not be obstructed by big objects or items of piece of furniture. Yous too want to effort and limit acoustic distortion caused byroom modes, which occur particularly when the subwoofer is placed in the corner of the room. A wall mounted installation tin also have a negative upshot. Therefore, the frequently recommended position "centered or slightly get-go betwixt the front speakers" is unremarkably a good decision.

Teufel 2.one sound systems

Loudspeaker installation in v.1 systems

The setup of classic home cinema systems consists of a total of six speakers. Speech, music and the main sound effects are produced by two front speakers and the centre speaker. The bass comes from the subwoofer, and the two upshot speakers produce environs audio.

5.1 habitation picture palace systems with rear dipoles

Representation of a 5.1 home cinema with 2 dipoles
Representation of a 5.ane domicile cinema with ii dipoles

In a v.ane setup, the front speakers are placed in the traditional stereo triangle (equally mentioned above: distance to the listener = altitude betwixt the left and correct speakers) side by side to the Television set. The employ of feet automatically guarantees an optimal height of the forepart speakers.Forwall-mounted or bookshelf speakers, the installation height should be between 40 cm and ane.20 m. If the height is outwith this range, it should be angled slightly up or down towards the listener. It is important to note that the heart and forepart speakers are placed approximately in a straight line, maybe likewise on a slightly curved arc that is slightly curved towards the Television/screen. A staggered speaker front can lead to differences in the running times of (sound waves) which could affect the symmetry of the sound image. Since the centre speaker reproduces speech, it must be positioned every bit centrally as possible underneath or above the screen. Merely then will the sound be perfectly synchronised with the moving-picture show on screen.

The dipoles should be mounted on the side of the listening position at a height of i.forty to ii.10 metres. Many Teufel dipoles already have an integrated wall mount. The dipole speakers and so radiate audio forwards (in the direction of the Boob tube screen) and backwards (towards the back wall), so that no direct sound can be heard at the listening position. The altitude from the rear wall should be at least 10 cm.

Alternatively, you lot can also mount the dipoles behind the sitting position on the rear wall with a wall bracket at a top of 1.40 to ii.10 metres. Most all Teufel dipoles take an integrated M6 plug screw for mounting on wall brackets, which you tin get as an optional actress. The dipole speakers can then exist rotated at an angle of 45 degrees with one side emitting sound to the rear wall and the other to the side wall. The resulting sound reflections create the desired diffusion for sound effects.

5.1 home cinema sets with rear direct emitters

home cinema speaker installation 5.1 sound system
Representation of a v.ane. dwelling cinema with ii direct emitters

In the case of a concert set with direct radiators, the rear speakers must exist fitted to the left and right of the seating position. The distance between the rear speakers and the listening position should be at least one metre. At a distance of more than one metre from the listening position, the rear speakers are ideally positioned in line with the front speakers – preferably on a stand or mounted on the wall at a height of up to two.ten metres. If the speakers accept to be placed much higher or lower, it may make sense to reconsider the listening position. Read more nigh how to wall mount your speakers, and see our webshop for a range of speaker accessories, includingwall mounts.

Speaker installation for vii.1 systems

With a 7.1 system, the surround audio is expanded even more. Audio reaches the listener from all 4 sides. The speaker setup of a 7.i system includes two additional satellites behind the listening expanse – the rear centre speakers.

7.1 – Home movie theater systems with rear dipoles

7.1 home cinema surround sound system with rear dipoles
Representation of a 7.1 dwelling house movie theater organisation with rear dipoles

If the altitude betwixt the listening position and the rear centre speaker pair (7.1) is less than one metre, e. g. because the sofa stands on the rear wall, we recommend using dipoles instead of direct radiators.

In a 7.ane system, the effect speakers are ideally mounted on the side wall next to the listening position, while the rear heart speakers are mounted on the rear wall – each at a superlative of ane.40 to 2.10 metres.

You should try to ensure that the distances betwixt the iv outcome speakers are the same. In addition, the speakers should be at least i metre apart. If the distances are different or the iv rear speakers for some reason have to be positioned at different heights, this asymmetry can be compensated for in the AV receiver's speaker management. To practise this, you will have to specify the actual distances of the individual speakers, and the receiver software will automatically compensate for the resulting delay time differences when the sound waves are emitted.

As mentioned above, the position of the subwoofer can exist chosen freely and does not touch on the other speakers. Ideally, it should exist placed on the straight line betwixt the two forepart speakers.

seven.ane abode cinema fix with 2 direct emitters and 2 rear dipoles

7.1 home cinema system with dipoles and direct emitters
Representation of a 7.1 system with dipoles and direct emitters

7.one home movie house systems with 4 rear direct emitters

A speaker installation with iv direct emitters to the rear is also possible. All upshot speakers should be further than one metre abroad from the listener's position. If you are unable to maintain the minimum altitude, attempt to make sure that the speakers do not emit directly towards the listener'southward position. The rear speakers should always exist placed between the range of 1.twoscore and 2.10 metres.

Option: high front speakers

High front end speakers intensify movie sound and create a more spatial surroundings. For this, the AV receiver must exist equipped with front high or "Presence" speaker terminals. The front high speakers should be located direct above the screen or higher up the Telly fix, with a slight focus on the listening position. Front high speakers can be installed as additions to a 5.1 or seven.i set.

Speaker installation for a Dolby Atmos set

Dolby Atmos home cinema system with 2 additional speakers
Representation of a Dolby Atmos home cinema system with two additional speakers

Different other surround sound standards, Dolby Atmos is not channel-related, but works with so-called sound objects. With the 5.ane or seven.i systems described then far, the audio is mixed beforehand in such a fashion that it later works with exactly these half dozen or eight channels. Dolby Atmos, on the other mitt, can control the channels flexibly.

The minimum number of speakers for Atmos sound is eight (5.1.2). Theoretically, upwards to 32 (every bit 31.1 or 24.2.half dozen) speakers can be operated. When sound engineers at present produce in Dolby Atmos, they tin display audio objects spatially without having to commit themselves to a particular channel. An explosion on the left side of the screen is now only divers equally a sound from a certain position on the left, with the corresponding level and fourth dimension. A similar procedure has been used in gaming engines for years.

The immersive sound effect is created by deliberately applied sound reflections. With the LT 5 (Licensed by Dolby Atmos), these are integrated directly into the front end and rear speakers.

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