I'm trying to figure out the better of two location, or more options on placement, for my left and right fronts. I have 3 M22 in-wall's that I'll be using as front LCR speakers. The attached pic shows the location of the L and R speakers in both optional locations: next to the fireplace about listening height or in the sofit near the ceiling angled down toward the listener. I'm planning on putting the center in the sofit as it's the only location it really fits. The only benefit I can see with the L and R int he sofit is I can spread them out farther to help with sound location.

Here is a google sketch-up of the options:



Thanks for the help - Jer

No personal experience with either setups, but if I were in your situation I would opt for the sofit placement angled down towards the seats. I think the soundfield would be more seamless and uniform between the LCR speakers that way.

Placing them beside the fireplace might make the centre speaker stand out too much in relation to the LR because it'd be sitting so much higher. My other concern would be that the LR would be recessed / blocked by the sides of the fireplace (in the picture it looks like the fireplace protrudes out from the wall).

The only argument I can think of for side fireplace placement would be if you use them primarily for stereo / music listening, but I'd still be concerned about the fireplace sides blocking them.

Thanks - yes the fireplace does protrude into the room by 24", and the sound being blocked was my concern as well. I'm not a huge music listener more of a movie/game system. There will be a projector that drops down in front of the fireplace as well - which is why I'm leaning more towards the sofit placement.

Jer

Hi Jerran,

I'd second the sofit placement as well. With the reflections from the ceiling you may get get quite a nice soundstage for movies or music.

Regards,

Third!

make sure to put acoustic panels to tame the ceiling reflections, sorry Alan, had to do it.

Thanks guys!

Having to look up at the TV would worry my neck, but, Hey, I'm just a negative kind of guy.

actually I have that part built and the TV mounted on the fireplace already. My wife and I had the same thought, so we mounted it and wanted to make sure it would be ok. We sit almost 13' back from the fireplace/TV so there is actually no issue with Neck problems, it's actually very natural. When I really want to watch a movie, I pull the 106" projection screen downa nd watch on that.

Jer

I am surprised you are looking to mount M22 side ways like that. I would think VP100 or 150 in walls mounted horizontally would be the preffered choice as the M22s will not have quite the same dispersion when mounted side ways. I will guess you already had the M22 in walls and this is a reno project? Any way be sure to try the M22s with the tweeter's on the outside and then on the inside and go with which ever sounds the best.

Yes, I already had the M22's, planned on them in my previous house but we decided to move before I got too far along. I plan to reuse them for now.

Thanks for the suggestion of trying them both ways I'll have to make sure and do that.

I'll post some pics of the actual space tonight.

Jer

The best setup would be to put everything on the end wall away from the fireplace, but thats probably not an option.

Is there some way you can place your speakers on the sofit temporarily as a test first just to make sure it sounds OK?

Well the location on the tv and projection screen must stay at their current locations, the soft however is not built yet and can be manipulated to a point. That point would be the WAF

Jer

In this case, with the speakers so close the the ceiling, I think you'd want the ceiling reflection intact. There's more issues with reflections when they have more distance to get out-of-phase from the direct sound.