How High Should the Left & Right Center Speakers Be for Surround Sound?

Experts recommend side speakers be placed at ear height when sitting for ideal performance.

Aim for Ear Height

Audio experts generally agree that if you want to get the optimum performance out of a surround sound system, the left and right center speakers should be placed at roughly ear height of the listener in a sitting position. Many free-standing speakers are designed to sit at roughly this height.

Space Constraints

While ear level might be ideal, some room arrangements might make it difficult to place the speakers in such a precise location. Intense audiophiles might notice a difference with a higher or lower speaker placement, whereas more casual listeners could find it perfectly satisfactory. And some speaker models are designed to perform optimally at a different height, so consult the manual for your specific system.

Bottom Line

"For the best possible sound, the tweeters should be at ear level when you're seated. Most floor-standing speakers are designed with this in mind," according to Crutchfield, a specialty electronics company. Generally speaking, if you're serious about getting the best sound out of your surround sound system, place the side speakers at ear height.

References

• Crutchfield: Speaker Placement for Home Theater
• THX: Surround Sound Speaker Set Up