I just ordered a 5.1 setup with a VP150, M22s, and QP8s, plus a 20-39PC+. I plan on upgrading to 7.1 later, but will have to do with this until I can justify more for a new receiver and more QP8s. I posted this question to avsforum and didn't get much of a response, but I'm hoping that now that I've picked and ordered axiom speakers, people familiar with these speakers might be able to help.

The problem is with the room arrangement. As seen below, the room is long and narrow. The right end is open and the left end has a fireplace. There are a pair of doors at the bottom. The result is that the TV has to go in the corner, with the couch and loveseat (primary viewing position) angled so all seats have decent tv/fireplace/conversation potential.



The image has labels with my ideas for eventual placement of the 7.1 speakers. My idea is to use the SL and RR positions with the 5.1 system (not as good for the couch, but I'm more concerned about the loveseat).

I have a couple of concerns:
- Assuming I calibrate the levels right for the loveseat, should I have much of a problem with the RR (temporary RR) being so much closer? I know the levels could never be perfect at both the nearest seat and furthest seat.

- In the 7.1 arrangement, I'm a bit concerned that both sides are in front of the main seating area. I'm assuming that any general ambience sounds will be in boths sides and rears, so the loveseat won't just get sound from the front. Is this true?

My goal is to set up the loveseat as the primary position, but not give bad sound to any seats. Any comments or suggestions for improvements would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bruce

that's just wierd

best thing to do is try it out and see what happens...

can you put the TV and front speakers on a wall instead of a corner? that might get you better sound if your current idea doesn't turn out nice.

Take a look here:


http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/oldskoolboarder2001/detail?.dir=/Home+Theatre&.dnm=PB060046.jpg

I have a corner placement w/ a 5.1 system and works fine. Room is 18' x 27'

Any chance of ceiling mounting the RL to just about the same distance from the loveseat as the RR to give you a better rear center? Other than that the set up will still sound great. My pics of a 6.1 from a corner TV are at www3.telus.net/public/jklasher/

Bruce, I have corner placement somewhat similar to you, and have had no problems. M22's, VP150, QS8's and SVS sub.

The QS8's are very forgiving to placement, and they sound great in my room despite the imperfect placement on the back wall with a TV in the corner. And I have experienced no problems with my M22's in the corner, despite the conventional wisdom that speakers should not be in the corner. Just go with what works best and try it out.

Bruce, I have the same setup and room layout that you have.
Except my surrounds are M2s.. After much experimentation,
I put the M22s in the corners and the V150 above the fireplace. My surrounds are against the walls in the back.
I find increasing the distance between the front speakers
enhances the soundstage.

Thanks everyone for the comments and pictures. I hadn't even thought about the ceiling mount for RL, but that might be an interesting option. I'm afraid the WAF might rule that one out, though.

I hadn't considered widening the front three speakers, either. With the current speakers, I find they need to be close, but I may try out a wider soundstage with the better speakers to see how it works.

I ordered from the outlet, but they're beech speakers, and are estimated to ship in a week. Hopefully I'll be able to experiment with placement soon.

Thanks,
Bruce