Comments on How to Set Up Surround Sound Speakers

Using an analog wristwatch or analog clock, place it on the floor with 12 o’clock facing the center speaker and 6 o’clock facing the listener. Thirty degrees left and right from the center speakers you need to place your front surround speakers. For the right surround, that is 1 o’clock and for the left surround, that is 11 o’clock. 110 degrees from the center speaker you need to place your back surround speakers. For the right back surround, that is 4 o’clock and for the left back surround, that is 4 o’clock. Finally the rear surround place it at 6 o’clock I personally prefer to place the sub woofer behind me. Keep speakers at ear level as you are sitting down. 3-4 feet.

Using an analog wristwatch or analog clock, place it on the floor with 12 o’clock facing the center speaker and 6 o’clock facing the listener. Thirty degrees left and right from the center speakers you need to place your front surround speakers. For the right surround, that is 1 o’clock and for the left surround, that is 11 o’clock. 110 degrees from the center speaker you need to place your back surround speakers. For the right back surround, that is 4 o’clock and for the left back surround, that is 4 o’clock. Finally the rear surround place it at 6 o’clock I personally prefer to place the sub woofer behind me. Keep speakers at ear level as you are sitting down. 3-4 feet.

Your rear speakers do not need to be huge for your surround system to rock. Small (even tiny), high-fidelity speakers are all you really need to get the effect of excellent surround sound.

If you get a surround system, you must spend the extra money for a good speaker wire. It makes a huge difference. The "factory wires" are always garbage. Look into "Monster" speaker wires and coaxial/digital connections for clean, clear, and crisp audio/video transfer!

I've learned that the best placement for speakers is at ear level when you're listening to them. All the speakers should be at the same height.

Everyone, from Dolby on down, state that you should use 5 or 7 identical speakers. If you say the LF Speaker is A, the RF speaker is B, and where you sit is speaker C, then you want the distance between A and B to be the same as A to C or B to C. The front three speaker tweeters should be at ear level. In a 7.1 the side speakers should be 2/3's of the length of the room. The rear L and R in a 5.1 should be aimed at the opposite front speaker. In 7.1 the rear L and R should be placed on the back wall halfway between the T.V. and the front L and R speakers. The best way to find the right placement for the sub is to first place the sub where you sit, then put on some heavy bass movie or song. All you have to do is slowly walk around the room with your back to the wall and find the sweet spot (you will know when you find it). Place the sub in this sweet spot. If all else fails, go to a movie theater with a good Dolby system and sit in the rear. Hear for yourself how much you need full range rear speakers! And please, spend the money on good wire and cables. This does, and will, make a huge difference.