Setup guide
page 9
If the television is not in the center of the room (or not centered between the Left and Right speakers), the
Center channel speaker should still be as close as possible to the screen -- even if it is outside the left and
right speakers (such as a TV located in a corner of the room outside the stereo spread of the left and right
speakers). Good results can be achieved in unusual congurations when the Center speaker is as close as
possible to the screen.
The Left and Right front channel speakers in a Home Theatre system should be placed the same as the left
and right speakers in a stereo setup. Some listeners, however, may prefer to reduce the distance between the
left and right speakers to bring the size of the acoustic image closer to the size of the screen image.
For example, with a 25” direct-view television, you would want the speakers closer together than you would
with a 100” projector. One recommendation is to separate the speakers by 1.5 times the diagonal screen size;
another is to place the left and right speakers to create a 45 degree angle with the main listening position.
There is a great deal of latitude in this area, as it is one of personal preference (especially if you will listen to
music without video).
It is also preferred that the speakers be equidistant from the listening position. Equidistant usually means that
when the center speaker is on top of the television, the left and right speakers will sit in front of the set (they
will be farther from the wall behind the TV than the center speaker). Ideally, the speakers should be at the
same height as the screen, but it is much more important that all three speakers be as close to each other’s
height as possible. If the center is much higher or lower than the other speakers, the effect can be distracting.
Angling, or toeing-in the speakers, to aim at the listening position often improves imaging.
When using a Center channel speaker, you have extra exibility in placing the left and right speakers,
as the Center channel speaker will tie most dialog and effects directly to the screen.
SURROUND CHANNELS
You can achieve good performance with your surround speakers placed in a wide variety of room locations.
In general, they should be either to the sides of or behind the main listening position, located higher than
the listener’s heads. They can be mounted on either the side walls or on the back wall, ush to the wall, on
shelves, on brackets, etc.
The goal is to achieve an enveloping sound. The surround channels should seem to come from all around you,
rather than seeming to come from behind you only or directly from a speaker.
For non-THX surrounds, we recommend starting with speakers on the side walls of the room, two to three
feet (60 – 90 cm) above the listeners’ heads, either directly to the sides of the listening position or behind it.
You can aim the speakers to re towards each other (across the listening area), or you can aim them to re
towards the back wall at an angle. The surround speakers should not be in front of the main listening position if
possible.
If you mount the surrounds on the side wall behind the listening position, they can be aimed towards each
other or angled towards the back wall or the side wall surface directly behind them. By reecting sound behind
the listening position, you may increase the sense of envelopment in the sound.
If you want or need to mount speakers on the back wall of the room, there are several options. You can aim
them so that they re towards each other (so they re along the back wall); you can aim them towards the front
wall of the room; or you can angle them so they re toward the side walls. Symmetrical arrangements work
best.
(Note: observe the arrows on the back of your Tripole speakers – see diagram 7 in Appendix A)