System Configuration
After completing all audio, video and
system connections, there are a few con-
figuration adjustments that must be
made. A few minutes spent to correctly
configure and calibrate the unit will
greatly add to your listening experience.
Speaker Selection
The placement of speakers in a multi-
channel home theater system can have
a noticeable impact on the quality of
sound reproduced.
No matter which type or brand of speakers
is used, the same model or brand of
speaker should be used for the front left,
center and right speakers. This creates a
seamless front soundstage, and elimi-
nates the possibility of distracting sonic
disturbances that occur when a sound
moves across mismatched front channel
speakers.
Speaker Placement
Depending on the type of center channel
speaker in use and your viewing device,
place the center speaker directly above or
below your TV or in the center behind a
perforated front projection screen.
Once the center channel speaker is
installed, position the left and right front
speakers so that they are as far away
from one another as the center channel
speaker is from the preferred listening
position. Ideally, the front channel
speakers should be placed so that their
tweeters are no more than 24" off center
from the tweeter in the center channel
speaker.
Depending on the specifics of your
room acoustics and the type of speakers
in use, you may find that imaging is
improved by moving the front left and
right speakers slightly forward of the
center channel speaker. If possible, adjust
all front loudspeakers so that they are
aimed at ear height when you are seated
in the listening position.
Using these guidelines, you’ll find that it
takes some experimentation to find the
correct location for the front speakers in
your particular installation. Don’t be
afraid to move things around until the
system sounds correct. Optimize your
speakers so that pans across the front of
the room sound smooth, and that sounds
from all speakers appear to arrive at the
listening position at the same time with-
out delay from the center speaker as
opposed to the left and right speakers.
Surround speakers should be placed on
the side walls of the room, at or slightly
behind the listening position. The center
of the speaker should face into the room.
The speakers should be located so that
the bottom of the cabinet is at least two
feet higher than the listeners’ ears when
in the desired area.
If side wall mounting is not practical, the
speakers may be placed on a rear wall,
behind the listening position. Again, they
should be located so that the bottom of
the cabinet is at least two feet higher
than the listeners’ ears. The speakers
should be no more than six feet behind
the rear of the seating area.
Subwoofers produce non-directional
sound, so they may be placed almost
anywhere in a room. Subwoofer place-
ment is highly influenced by room size
and shape, and the type of subwoofer
used. Follow the instructions of the sub-
woofer’s manufacturer, or experiment
with the best location for a subwoofer in
your listening room.
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