TV & Speaker Placement

tinners · 12-08-2009, 5:11 PM

So our planning application is in for our new extension.

We are going to also knock through our living room / dining room.

Am stuck with TV and speaker placement though, as we have a wood burning stove in the fireplace and so gives a headache in terms of placement for the TV so everyone can see it from all 3 chairs.

The current TV is in the alcove under the stairs, but this wont work in future as that area is going to be storage and bookcases.

Where best to put the rear speakers ? What about the TV ?

Thanks

lechacal · 13-08-2009, 7:13 AM

How much do you use the stove? Our layout is pretty close to yours and we decided that since we didn't use the stove very much we should ditch it.

We modified the fireplace slightly to accomodate the cabinet and hung the telly on the chimney breast. Front speakers went either side of the fireplace and front below the telly.

We wanted a more modern look for the room though. Depends how attached you are to the woodburner.

PS I'd consider mounting the TV somewhat lower than that or you'll be straining your neck.

tinners · 13-08-2009, 7:48 AM

Thanks. I agree the chimney would be an ideal place, but we're very attached to the stove so nothing doing there.
Interestingly I have chosen the same TV as you, maybe the 37" though depending on how it looks in the room.
What do you reckon re rear speakers ?

lechacal · 13-08-2009, 8:06 AM

You mean choice or placement for rear speakers? Are those stairs still there? Do you have a model that shows them. I have a Sketchup model from the planning stages of my own room. I'll try and post a screenshot when I get chance.

How deep is the fireplace? Is a false wall the length of the room something you could consider? It would have advantages in that you could hide the equipment away and recess-mount the TV and/or speakers. Could you stand to loose the room area though?

I reckon that a 40" will not look too big at all in that room.

tinners · 13-08-2009, 9:44 AM

Would be great to see how you set yours up.

I meant rear placement, given the different places the screen will be viewed from. In terms of speakers I'm going to get the JAMO A102s with an Onkyo 606 to run them.

This is a "approximation" of the view showing under the stairs.

The stairs are narrower than the model but my sketchup skills are rubbish.

The fireplace is on the right. Also there is a wall only partly drawn which goes in between the extension (the bottom triangular shaped room) and the living room.

lechacal · 13-08-2009, 12:04 PM

Hmm, tricky. There's nothing wrong with putting the surrounds on side walls, in fact that's where the Dolby spec recommends that they should go. My speakers are to the side rather than right behind.

(On second thoughts I think my room is actually quite a lot smaller than yours! 40" screen doesn't dominate mine so you should be fine)

This is the first time I've ever added a picture to a post so sorry if I'm doing it wrong.

tinners · 13-08-2009, 3:59 PM

think Im just going to go with plan A and put the speakers for the rear where they can be in the best position for the main sofa.

Oh to have a square room

lechacal · 13-08-2009, 4:31 PM

As you can see that's pretty much what I did. Usually it's just me and the wife anyway. The cat likes the other sofa but he only really likes nature programs and they're not big on surrounds.

Square rooms have their own challenges! It's inconveniences like radiators, windows and doors that give me headaches.