Mike, if there're back surround speakers in a 7.1 setup, the side surrounds should be directly to the side of the listening position instead of farther back. The back surrounds should be separated following a similar rule to that applying to the mains: they should be about as far apart as they are behind the listening position. At a minimum they should be outside the couch both to the left and right so as to allow for the possibility of both a left rear and right rear effect for the listeners.

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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.