Placement of the right sound system in a home theater (family theater) is the secret to help you feel like that you are actually participating in events when watching movies.

Today, audio-visual system has from two loudspeakers to more. A home theater usually involves multiple loudspeakers to create a surround sound. It was from renewable sources such as DVD. The surround sound of DVD has multichannel, each channel controls a loudspeaker and it is completely independent of each other.

What System 5.1, 6.1, 7.1 is?

System 5.1 is the fundamental system of the modern "family theater". System 5.1 includes: the center loudspeaker, are usually placed above or below the screen, mainly to play the voice of characters in the movie; two main loudspeakers (front or main) are placed at two sides of screen to create most of sounds in the movie; and two surround loudspeakers are arranged at two sides, behind the viewer, to play the background and echo sound.

In addition to the 5 above, there is also a subwoofer loudspeaker specializing in creating super-quite sound. As a result, the sound effects will make us feel like that we are entering into extremely attractive scenes in the movie playing on the screen. The Dolby Digital and DTS system are usually designed on the basis of this 5.1.

System 6.1 and 7.1 was developed on the basis of 5.1 by adding one or two surround loudspeakers placing behind the listener, thus surround sound effect is improved much better. However, to use system 6.1 or 7.1 you need to have ampli which support those standards. System 6.1 or 7.1 is also known as Surround EX system or DTS-ES. They are fully compatible with the standard of Dolby Digital 5.1 (if you do not have loudspeaker placed behind, please pass this channel).

Should buy a single or a set?

Most loudspeaker manufacturers are selling their products at a set, usually according to a set of subwoofer and some small satellite loudspeakers. That makes choice of buying and installing the loudspeaker is more simplified, and also helps you save a lot of money compared with buying each of single loudspeakers.

Because the "family theater" system in need of baritone very much, sets of loudspeaker often have a separate set of subwoofer to recreate the baritone. Subwoofer loudspeaker box often has a size large and capacity amplification in the inside. On the other hand, due to baritone does not be orientated clearly; the rough subwoofer loudspeaker is usually set at dark places in the room (for example, behind the blind, under the sofa or the corner) to not affect on the general beautiful view. The satellite loudspeakers are usually formed by small structure because it does not have baritone, so it is more easily to install.

Many manufacturers use the same type for all satellite loudspeakers, so they have the same sound and the acoustic character. Some systems will be used same loudspeakers for the position of right, left and center, but the surround loudspeaker in two sides and behind have a little different to match the sound broadcast characteristic in these positions. However, for small or medium spaces, you should use the same satellite loudspeakers.

Of course, to achieve the best sound quality, you can buy separately big loudspeaker boxes having ability to recreate the entire sound to replace on the position of left and right loudspeakers. The manufacturers of this type usually provide both center and surround loudspeakers in two sides for customers to choose. Some types of standing loudspeaker with column format also include a subwoofer loudspeaker, which is suitable for home theater systems.

If you decide to buy the high-quality single loudspeakers, you should choose loudspeakers from the same manufacturer. However, the best way is to choose loudspeakers from the same technology line to ensure the sync about sound and acoustic character of loudspeakers, at the same time you should follow the instructions of the manufacturer on installation and coordination between the loudspeakers. You should also pay attention to buy loudspeakers having magnetic shielding to avoid affecting other devices.

Layout front loudspeakers

Three loudspeakers in front (one center and two main loudspeakers) must be placed into a line. If you plan to watch movie or listen to music alone is the main, you can layout loudspeakers on a circle with the center being at watching position. On the contrast, if your system is for the whole family enjoy together, you should put loudspeakers in row of television’s plane. Note: never arrange loudspeakers are out of line.

You should choose the narrow angle for watching movie, and wide angle for enjoying music. Loudspeaker on the right and the left corner must be put at near 45 to 60 degrees compared with the center position. A 45 degrees angle is most appropriate for watching movie because people also use such a corner when dubbing for the movie. On the contrast, if you use the system for listening music is the primary, you should choose a wider angle.

Finally, all three front loudspeakers should be placed in the height as similar as possible, and the best is the same height with listener’s ear. The center loudspeaker is often placed directly on top of television, thus you should use platform having an adjustable height is to cover both right and left loudspeaker.

Layout surround loudspeakers

In system 5.1, the surround loudspeakers should be placed in matching at both sides of listener, go slightly to behind the back a little (but not in the back) and set a higher position than listener’s ear, and should be vertical way instead of going down slightly to listener’s position to avoid repositioning effect.

In general, you should not attach surround loudspeakers on the behind wall. However, it is not sure that all rooms also allow layout them at the two side walls. Meanwhile, you can also use the shelf or platform by wood or iron for these. With an appropriate height, platform also works well no less than the circumstance attaching loudspeakers on the side wall of the room. One of things you need to note is to choose wire-connector in this system. It is very important. You should choose a good type; especially the line connecting to the surround loudspeaker is fairly large on distance. If you choose the small or poor quality wire, it will decline signals and cause the phenomenon of deformed and incorrect language.

Gradually, step by step, you sort out and try listening after a few times adjusting the position of the loudspeakers you'll find the best solution for the home theater sound system. Thanks to the perfect selection and arrangement of the sound system, the image becomes more attractive and your family will have minutes enjoying films with full of fun at your dear home.

(According to Audio-Visual)