Is it better to place the rear speakers on either side of the sweet spot -or- in the back of the room facing towards the sweetspot ?

Thanks...

Everyone will have their own answer. There are too many variables (speaker type, distance from wall, height, room size...). Best suggestion is to use plenty of slack wire and place them in as many different spots as you can until you hear what sounds best to YOUR ears.

It depends on which style of surround channel speakers you are using.

Di-pole or Bi-pole speakers should be placed directly to each side of you when you are in the 'sweet spot', with the null (the side of the speaker that doesn't contain any drivers) pointing directly at your ears and slightly above ear level (1-2ft)

Mono-pole speakers can be placed in many different places. Which is best depends on your room. You may want to try them at either side of you, with the drivers facing the back wall, making them sound more diffuse.

I am a big fan of di-poles, as I feel they provide the most diffuse surround channel, making the sonic experience more realistic.

Hope this helps...Derek

Hi. I own Paradigm ADP170 bipole/dipole surrounds and due to windows and openings in my living room, I was unable to mount the speakers in the preferred place - to the side. But the info provided by Paradigm in their installation sheet showed that in the back corners of your room at ear height or slightly above (1 - 2 ft.) is also acceptable for the dipoles. You might just have to increase the output of the speakers a couple of db or so to suit your taste.

I find the placement quite good.

I agree with Derek, that dipoles are awesome. I think direct speakers, while they provide sound that allows you to actually hear where the rear sound is coming from (which gets old quickly - you always know exactly where your speaker is), do not provide that totally cool diffuse sonic experience that Derek talks about.

Happy experimenting!

Thank you everyone for your opinions...

Well... i think i have your problem solved... have both!! with the new receivers coming out with Dolby EX, the certification says to have both di-bipoles for the sides and monopoles for the rears. With the correct processing (EX from certain DVD titles).. it does make a dramatic difference!! I've listened to the EX DVD versions and they are pretty cool... when properly set up and calibrated... you really can't pinpoint speaker positions!!! A true "surround" system.. no more listening to the rear speaker to see if it's on!! Yes, you are gonna run more wire and more speakers... but it's all good... it's what upgrading is all about!!!

John

Good answer, John. A never-ending "support the electronics industry till you go broke" syndrome. Me-thinks too many of us are into "upgrade psychosis" like a lot of us are with our computers. LOL

But, that system should sound way cool. Now you've got me drooling and I've only just bought my system 2 months ago, with a 5 year warranty. You would have to bring this point out!! :-) (I guess I would only have to buy two direct radiating speakers and sell my brand new $1200 CDN receiver for a THX EX certified one. Oh well........ it's my own fault I got into this!

-Greg