Home Theatre Sound System Question?

[Mike65]

Hi,

I am deciding to get a home theatre sound system for my living room. The thing is that the TV is in the corner of the room and the sofa and chairs are positioned at an angle to view it and I am wondering where to position the speakers of the theatre sound system. I have done 2 very crude drawings that I'd like you to view and decide which is the best position for them. I'd appreciate any replies.

Also secondly this may sound dumb, which it is as I've never used a home theatre sound system before. I want to know do you turn the sound off on your main TV when using the theatre sound system?

Thanks.

The 2 drawings:-

http://mysite.freeserve.com/mike65/speaker1.jpg

http://mysite.freeserve.com/mike65/speaker2.jpg

[mustang581]

Mike65, the setup for the front speakers in both drawings look good. the only recommendation I would have for the rear speaker is to angle them so they are facing each other, I read somewhere that, that way you bounce the sound of each other also that to locate them to the side of where people will be seating, but at the end of the day it's just a matter of preference.
If you are using your tv in video mode then you should not have to do anything, but if you are just watching plain old tv then you might have to push a switch somewhere to mute the volume on the tv and direct it to the surroud sound. that is what I normally do on my old tv.
have fun with your new system.

[flaninacupboard]

The second option looks best to me, the sound stage has a more even shape. And can i just say, congratulations! someone who can logically place a subwoofer! i so often see them in corners or right next to the sofa, but you've placed it nicely inbetween the front speakers, the only place you can stick it for music to sound any good, or very low voices to actually sound like they're on screen!

[Gazorgan]

#2 looks pretty good. The old "TV in the Corner" is a problem with 5.1 or higher sound. Dolby Surround isn't as bad, since the rear speakers are mono (same channel for both).

The more seperation the better(particulary on the front speakers, and the front from the center), and the sub can go anywhere.

[bladestorm]

Remember, most decent recieviers today are 6.1, so be ready for a rear center speaker.

[Marco33]

DTS decoder... or is that a given.

[Mike65]

Thanks for the support guys with this. After taking in all your comments I have decided to go with speaker setup number 2 and added to my diagram a rear central speaker. I haven't fully decided on which home theatre set I am getting just yet but I'll make sure it's 6.1 and possibly dts too, which I believe most of them are these days.

Underneath is a link to my modified speaker setup 2, the room area is a little bigger than in the diagram, it's not exactly to scale but you get the idea.

http://mysite.freeserve.com/mike65/speaker3.jpg

[thxkid]

If your amp in your system is less than a $1000, you might want to look into one that also inclused THX, for movies it really improves the sound, if over $1000 most if not all have some type of chips with some of the THX improvements incorporated in them, after hearing other 5.1 and 6.1 sytems without THX, I would never buy an amp without it.There are 2 types of THX certification out there THX Select(cheaper) or THX Ultra(Best) I have the ULTRA I would have nothing less, but in a normal size room the Select does a very good job both my Dad and brother have the Select and they sound very good. Heck they got a steal on their Kenwoods THX Selects at Frys, close outs for $299 and they are 6.1, DTS and Dolby pro logic 2, 100watts x 6.

[flaninacupboard]

thxkid,
it's not that THX approved amps are always better, just that they're THX approved. if i used a THX certified processor, but opted to use non THX-certified Musical Fidelity Monoblocs i'd have -way- better sound than a cheap THX certified integrated amp, but have no badge to prove it!

[Craig Tucker]

Really you want to be sitting on the floor between the chair and the sofa

[emats]

I'd sit with equal distance from the refrigerator and restroom. thanks.

[Marco33]

Really you want to be sitting on the floor between the chair and the sofa

Sounds like a good spot to me.