Finishing basement. Good options for surround. Planning on a Epic 60-500 5.1 due to good deal on a Rotel 5-channel THX amp. Main couch will face the plasma. Additional seating will run from both ends of the couch to the plasma. Basically U-shaped.

I have the space to locate the SQ8's to the side of the main couch facing my plasma. However, I also have two sons; age 9 & 7. There are risks of the SQ8's getting knocked over. My questions.......

1. Can I locate the SQ8's on a back wall behind the couch, maybe 4-5 feet and still get a good surround effect or do they really need to be to the side of the couch? I prefer the back wall due to the fact the mount will be rigid and I can run speaker wire in the ceiling and wall.

2. Also, due to a larger wall entertainment center, the M60's will be approximately 10 to 11 feet apart. The viewing distance will be similar or maybe a foot or two more. The VP150 should help fill the space. Is 10-11' too wide for the M60's?

Hi MN, welcome to the forums, you'll find the SQ8's(Quadpolar) are very forgiving compared to placing most other types of surrounds. The preferred location is to the side of the listening area and 1 to 5 ft above ear level(when seated). Although....and I will quote my QS8 instructions here..."if your room doesn't permit side-wall placement of the surrounds, the QS models will work very effectively on the rear wall behind the listening area".

10 to 11 ft is fine for the M60s, just might want to toe them in a little towards the 'sweet spot'.

Welcome to the Axiom forum MNCold,

I changed the title of the thread to QS8 location. The QS8's can work in a lot of different loctions. Typically you want to place your surrounds to the side, however it shouldn't be a problem placing them on the back wall behind the couch. Are you saying you plan on placing them 5-6 above the seating position or 5-6 feet apart?

10 - 11 feet apart is not too wide and with a viewing distance of 13 feet approximately the VP150 should have no problem filling that space. As Adrian noted, I would also try toeing the M60's toward the couch or "sweet spot".

Good luck

In a 5.whatever setup, ideally you'd want to have the QS8's between 90 degrees and 130 degrees (maybe 150*) to the sides of the seating location. 10-11' isn't too wide for the mains, mine are almost 11' apart with a VP150 center and our sweet spot is just over 11' from each main speaker, they sound just fine.

To answer Dr. House, I meant to state if the surrounds go on the back wall, they would be 4-5 feet behind the couch. I have a good size wall and the surrounds could be separated (horizontal) by upwards of 10 feet. I also have room vertically to place them anywhere up to maybe 9 feet high.

What is the preferred distance horizontally between the two surrounds?

Thanks to everyone for your input. I am really looking forward to getting this project completed.

You could set them up in a couple of temporary locations prior to permanently mounting to find out what applicable location will work for you, as stated above, these QS speakers are very forgiving regarding placement. Keep us posted and congrats.

Welcome to the boards!

MN, welcome. Since those surrounds in a 5.1 setup, even if mounted on the back wall, are still side surrounds, they should be separated as widely as possible(maybe about a foot from where the sidewalls are), so as to give more of a side rather than back effect. Vertically, about 2-3' above ear level would be fine.

I will pre-wire for the back wall and also have the option to move to the side of the couch if performance is not acceptable. Thanks again.

MNCold,

I agree with JohnK about placement of the QS8's. The EP500 should provide you with plenty of "WOW" factor for home theatre. It is an excellent subwoofer. You have thought this through very well. Keep us in touch on your progress.

Cheers!

So you don't have side walls for your surrounds? Or, you can't ceiling mount them. Most of us have kids, so that is no excuse.

One large room in the basement. The theater area will take up 1/2 to 2/3 of the space. I do have one wall to mount on the side but not on the other. I am really only concerned about the one speaker. I'm willing to take my chances to get the best sound.

I wondered the same as Randy. Why exactly can't you mount on side walls? Maybe there is no wall on one side? In mentioning your kids, that made me think for placing to sides of couch they would be accessible to them (on stands?). Different rooms have their different possibilities/ restictions. Randy and I were just curious of more specifics of why you felt to the sides of your couch would be a problem. I have had to go through several rounds with the guys here on placement of my 4 rear QS8's. These guys can sure think outside the box and it helped me think of and reconsider options I had thought were a no go.


Hell, most of ARE kids. We just have more expensive toys!

Agree about the possibility of ceiling mounting if all else fails.

Ditto all, the Qs will work out in your room.

I had no idea one could locate the surround on the ceiling up to 5' above the listening area. That will work. Ceiling mount on the right surround and wall mount on the left.

Thanks again. Now I am ready to pull wire.

Mine might as well be ceiling mounted, they work pretty well, at least I think so.