7.1 speaker placment

billnmo · 07-05-2009, 12:48 PM

We are doing a remodel on our downstairs area and have everything framed and ready to run wire. I want to put in a 7.1 surround system and am trying to figure what speakers should be in-ceiling or in-wall. The room is 15' long and 11' wide. The TV will flush mount to the wall approximately 5.5' above the floor. Chairs will be (need to be) against the opposite wall so i will have about 13' from chair to TV with the TV at one end and the chairs flush to the back wall (this is a must). There will be a solid wall on the left and a half/pony wall on right with an open doorway. The center channel will mount under the TV and on top of cabinets. I am planning on buying speakercraft in-wall speakers with the adjustable tweeters. The L/R back speakers need to go in the ceiling along with the L/R surround. The L/R back speakers will be directly overhead of the chairs. I am wondering if that will be too close? I was thinking of aiming the tweeter (L/R back) directly into the back wall? I am unsure what to do with the L/R front as far as in ceiling or in wall. With the adjustable tweeters does it matter if I go ceiling or wall? Or if I have about a foot of wall space on either side of my TV should I place some in-wall mount speakercraft in that area which would give me four in-ceiling and two in-wall? Lastly, we are ordering cabinets that will be wall to wall along the base. The center cabinets will be ordered with no fronts so we can attach black speaker cloth to the fronts and then all the components will be hidden. I want to place the subwoofer in one of those cabinets. Will this create a problem with vibration of the cabinets etc? I was thinking of placing in a foam mat for the sub to sit on if it did create a problem. I really want everything hidden so I want the sub tucked away with everything else and there wont be any other practical location for it to sit. Thanks

Bigbubsdad · 07-05-2009, 02:16 PM

Putting the surround and back speakers in the ceiling will work okay, especially with tweeters that can be aimed. However, generally speaking the seating area should be between the surrounds and the back speakers should be behind you to get the best impact. Seems like the back speakers should be at a 26 degree angle from the "hearing sweet spot." I put my subwoofer in a cabinet and at times it rattles the shelves and doors. I have felt pads on the doors etc to dampen the sympathetic vibration and it helps. My suggestion is to find a way to connect the base of the sub to the floor if you can. Using foam to dampen defeats the purpose of the sub. The solution may be to drill holes in the bottom shelf and create extensions for the sub's feet. Just a thought.

Loves2Watch · 07-06-2009, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billnmo

We are doing a remodel on our downstairs area and have everything framed and ready to run wire. I want to put in a 7.1 surround system and am trying to figure what speakers should be in-ceiling or in-wall. The room is 15' long and 11' wide. The TV will flush mount to the wall approximately 5.5' above the floor. Chairs will be (need to be) against the opposite wall so i will have about 13' from chair to TV with the TV at one end and the chairs flush to the back wall (this is a must). There will be a solid wall on the left and a half/pony wall on right with an open doorway. The center channel will mount under the TV and on top of cabinets. I am planning on buying speakercraft in-wall speakers with the adjustable tweeters. The L/R back speakers need to go in the ceiling along with the L/R surround. The L/R back speakers will be directly overhead of the chairs. I am wondering if that will be too close? I was thinking of aiming the tweeter (L/R back) directly into the back wall? I am unsure what to do with the L/R front as far as in ceiling or in wall. With the adjustable tweeters does it matter if I go ceiling or wall? Or if I have about a foot of wall space on either side of my TV should I place some in-wall mount speakercraft in that area which would give me four in-ceiling and two in-wall? Lastly, we are ordering cabinets that will be wall to wall along the base. The center cabinets will be ordered with no fronts so we can attach black speaker cloth to the fronts and then all the components will be hidden. I want to place the subwoofer in one of those cabinets. Will this create a problem with vibration of the cabinets etc? I was thinking of placing in a foam mat for the sub to sit on if it did create a problem. I really want everything hidden so I want the sub tucked away with everything else and there wont be any other practical location for it to sit. Thanks

In walls would be a much better solution. Read this for further information - http://www.highdefforum.com/746822-post1.html

billnmo · 07-06-2009, 11:03 AM

I did view that article and was very useful however as far as the rear L/R speakers, The chairs will be about flush to the back wall so I cant see doing an in-wall mount or the speakers will be only a foot from my head. I was thinking that those speakers can go in the ceiling (7 ½ feet high) and all the way against the back wall with the tweeter aimed at the center of the seating area. I would think this would be the same as having them floor or wall mounted three feet behind the seating area? The L/R surround I have to go in the ceiling since I only have a half wall on the right which is about four feet high and I would think that it would need to be mounted maybe a foot higher than what is available. The opposite wall is full and open so it wouldn’t be a problem there but I want the speakers mounted the same on either side. I was thinking about mounting the L/R front speakers in the ceiling but then I realized when all my cabinets and TV are installed I will have about a foot of wall space on either side of the TV so I should have the space for wall mount speakers in that location. So is what I am proposing (four in ceiling, two wall mount) seem practical for my situation? I just bought two rolls of speaker wire and it was over $300 so I really want to be sure where I put these speakers. Thanks for the help.

Loves2Watch · 07-06-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billnmo

I did view that article and was very useful however as far as the rear L/R speakers, The chairs will be about flush to the back wall so I cant see doing an in-wall mount or the speakers will be only a foot from my head. I was thinking that those speakers can go in the ceiling (7 ½ feet high) and all the way against the back wall with the tweeter aimed at the center of the seating area. I would think this would be the same as having them floor or wall mounted three feet behind the seating area? The L/R surround I have to go in the ceiling since I only have a half wall on the right which is about four feet high and I would think that it would need to be mounted maybe a foot higher than what is available. The opposite wall is full and open so it wouldn’t be a problem there but I want the speakers mounted the same on either side. I was thinking about mounting the L/R front speakers in the ceiling but then I realized when all my cabinets and TV are installed I will have about a foot of wall space on either side of the TV so I should have the space for wall mount speakers in that location. So is what I am proposing (four in ceiling, two wall mount) seem practical for my situation? I just bought two rolls of speaker wire and it was over $300 so I really want to be sure where I put these speakers. Thanks for the help.

First, you paid way too much for that speaker wire. I would recommend you take it back for a refund and get your speaker wire here - www.monoprice.com.

The rears and surrounds should be OK mounting them in the ceiling as you want. The fronts being wall mounted would be best and the crucial center channel directly beneath the TV.

Hope this helps.

PoorSignal · 07-06-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loves2Watch

In walls would be a much better solution. Read this for further information - http://www.highdefforum.com/746822-post1.html

I am not the OP but have a similar question, my chair is against the back wall so is there any use adding the mid surrounds that is between the front and rear speakers.. or will it be better if I just stick with 5.1 sound?

Loves2Watch · 07-06-2009, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PoorSignal

I am not the OP but have a similar question, my chair is against the back wall so is there any use adding the mid surrounds that is between the front and rear speakers.. or will it be better if I just stick with 5.1 sound?

5.1 sounds pretty great to me and many others. It's solely your call if you want to use 7.1.

07-05-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
billnmo My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7	7.1 speaker placment We are doing a remodel on our downstairs area and have everything framed and ready to run wire. I want to put in a 7.1 surround system and am trying to figure what speakers should be in-ceiling or in-wall. The room is 15' long and 11' wide. The TV will flush mount to the wall approximately 5.5' above the floor. Chairs will be (need to be) against the opposite wall so i will have about 13' from chair to TV with the TV at one end and the chairs flush to the back wall (this is a must). There will be a solid wall on the left and a half/pony wall on right with an open doorway. The center channel will mount under the TV and on top of cabinets. I am planning on buying speakercraft in-wall speakers with the adjustable tweeters. The L/R back speakers need to go in the ceiling along with the L/R surround. The L/R back speakers will be directly overhead of the chairs. I am wondering if that will be too close? I was thinking of aiming the tweeter (L/R back) directly into the back wall? I am unsure what to do with the L/R front as far as in ceiling or in wall. With the adjustable tweeters does it matter if I go ceiling or wall? Or if I have about a foot of wall space on either side of my TV should I place some in-wall mount speakercraft in that area which would give me four in-ceiling and two in-wall? Lastly, we are ordering cabinets that will be wall to wall along the base. The center cabinets will be ordered with no fronts so we can attach black speaker cloth to the fronts and then all the components will be hidden. I want to place the subwoofer in one of those cabinets. Will this create a problem with vibration of the cabinets etc? I was thinking of placing in a foam mat for the sub to sit on if it did create a problem. I really want everything hidden so I want the sub tucked away with everything else and there wont be any other practical location for it to sit. Thanks

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07-05-2009, 02:16 PM	#2
Bigbubsdad High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SC Posts: 83	Putting the surround and back speakers in the ceiling will work okay, especially with tweeters that can be aimed. However, generally speaking the seating area should be between the surrounds and the back speakers should be behind you to get the best impact. Seems like the back speakers should be at a 26 degree angle from the "hearing sweet spot." I put my subwoofer in a cabinet and at times it rattles the shelves and doors. I have felt pads on the doors etc to dampen the sympathetic vibration and it helps. My suggestion is to find a way to connect the base of the sub to the floor if you can. Using foam to dampen defeats the purpose of the sub. The solution may be to drill holes in the bottom shelf and create extensions for the sub's feet. Just a thought.

07-06-2009, 11:03 AM	#4
billnmo My plasma is High Def. Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 7	I did view that article and was very useful however as far as the rear L/R speakers, The chairs will be about flush to the back wall so I cant see doing an in-wall mount or the speakers will be only a foot from my head. I was thinking that those speakers can go in the ceiling (7 ½ feet high) and all the way against the back wall with the tweeter aimed at the center of the seating area. I would think this would be the same as having them floor or wall mounted three feet behind the seating area? The L/R surround I have to go in the ceiling since I only have a half wall on the right which is about four feet high and I would think that it would need to be mounted maybe a foot higher than what is available. The opposite wall is full and open so it wouldn’t be a problem there but I want the speakers mounted the same on either side. I was thinking about mounting the L/R front speakers in the ceiling but then I realized when all my cabinets and TV are installed I will have about a foot of wall space on either side of the TV so I should have the space for wall mount speakers in that location. So is what I am proposing (four in ceiling, two wall mount) seem practical for my situation? I just bought two rolls of speaker wire and it was over $300 so I really want to be sure where I put these speakers. Thanks for the help.