Placement of my speakers and display

[T4FF]

Hi all, my house has finally been built and I am very close to moving in. Having used this site for a couple of months to help me buy my first HC system, it’s time to take the plunge! I have one final thing I wanted to run through before I start bringing in the kit and this revolves around the layout of the system in my room.



The above is a (rough) drawing of my room. The grey boxes being the probably placement of sofas, the black box the fireplace and the blue X the probable placement of my plasma as I would think I can’t wall mount the plasma above my fireplace – is that correct?

I’m trying to work out the best layout of my system as this will ultimately determine what I purchase (in terms of what speakers, what set up, cables, stands etc etc). I realise the best thing for me to do is move in and get a feel for the room and visually design the room, but I wanted the advice from your good selves first.

My predicament is simple – where do I put everything? The main viewing sofa will be the bottom one, the left hand sofa is possibly going to have a dining room table behind it so cannot move it back. I would think the easy part is the fronts and rears, the fronts (on stands) and rears (on wall) will be in the 4 corners (except front left which will be in line with the rear left). I’ve been led to believe the centre should be as close to the display as possible. If that’s the case, I will have 2 speakers in the top right corner. Will this be ok? What other options do I have? Can I go without a centre? I guess the other possibility is picking up a Yammy YSP and just putting it on the mantlepiece, but feel that's just me being lazy!!

Again, I realise that getting the stuff in and moving it around until I’m happing is the defining decision, but I wanted to get your opinions in first around the plasma, centre, speaker placement so I can then go on to decide what I need.

Thanks!

[spooney]

I guess it depends what you will go for but from the text book:
Fronts and listening spot should be a triangle.
A center goes right into the same place as the display. If the center is somewhere else it will be confusing when people talk in front of you and their voices come from somewhere else.
Fronts and center are preferrable at the same height (best at ear level) and the center is exactly between left and right.
A sub goes between the front speakers
Rears are at or behind your listening position

How you will put this into your room? I don't know. Maybe you want to go for something like a Bose sound system?

[hornydragon]

try the dolby digital site as it shows ideal room plans and speaker locations with explanation as to why your layout is common and not a huge issue to fit in there is no need for the sub to go between the front speakers and no need to buy BOSE there are loads of options available have you an idea of budget? You can mount your plasma above the fireplace but whether this is ideal or not depends on you the display should be at eye level

[spooney]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

try the dolby digital site as it shows ideal room plans and speaker locations with explanation as to why

Well, Mr Tomlin (THX) would be happy to advice, too

[hornydragon]

see the link here http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_e...oomlayout.html

[T4FF]

Originally Posted by hornydragon

have you an idea of budget?

Probably between £1000-£1500 for amp and spkrs incl cabling. Might be persuaded to spend a little more, but would prefer a cpl of options not just the expensive one

Originally Posted by hornydragon

You can mount your plasma above the fireplace but whether this is ideal or not depends on you the display should be at eye level

I was more concerned about the temperature? Will have to look at eye level when I move in.

[hornydragon]

well it depends on the fire but general rule is dont have both on at the same time

[T4FF]

If the display does go in the corner, the dolby site suggests having the sofa directly facing the corner.

Can't do that as I've got 2 sofas to put in there! Still not entirely sure......If the display goes in the corner, the centre does too which is going to mean that the sound will be funny with the centre being right next to one of the fronts I presume?

Any ideas how I would get round this? If I moved the centre away from the display (ie put it above the fireplace) is that going to be wierder?

Bit confused

Anyone got a similar set up or know how I can sort this?