The quality of the sound in a stereo system depends, in the first instance, on the quality of the speakers and, secondly, on the use made of them and, therefore, on their placement in a given space. Its correct arrangement can make the difference between an average listening experience and an exceptional one.
For this reason, the experts at Teufel, a Berlin sound company with more than 40 years of experience, have prepared a guide with practical advice and considerations for the optimal speaker placement in different configurations, from basic stereo systems to advanced home theater systems with Dolby Atmos technology.
“Proper speaker placement is essential to get the most out of any sound system. By adapting to the dimensions and acoustic characteristics of each home, you can create an immersive and captivating listening experience to enjoy your favorite movies, music and games like never before. before,” say the specialists.
THE BASIC SYSTEM: STEREO TRIANGLE
In a basic stereo system, where there are only two main speakers, it is essential create a “stereo triangle” between the speakers and the listening area. This applies to all multichannel configurations with front speakers.
It consists of the two main direct speakers and the listener’s position forming an equilateral or isosceles triangle, with the speakers tilted slightly inward at about 60 degrees. The area where the lines of sight between the speakers overlap is known as the “sweet spot”, where you get the best sound quality.
A ‘subwoofer’ can be added to this type of sound system, an element independent of the speaker configuration chosen, since the low frequencies it emits are slightly captured by our ear. In any case, care must be taken to ensure that the bass spreads around the room adequately. Therefore, it is very important that the device is not covered by cabinets or other furniture.
“When sounds bounce repeatedly they can become distorted, creating what is called ‘room modes’, which negatively affect listening quality. For this reason it is advisable to place our subwoofer centered or in a slightly offset position between the main speakers and thus enjoy a clearer and more balanced sound.
SETUP FOR THE ‘HOME CINEMA’
In a 5.1 home theater system that consists of six speakers (two front, one center, two rear and a subwoofer), specific guidelines must be followed to ensure an optimal surround sound experience: the front speakers, which reproduce music and sound effects, must be placed at the same distance creating a triangle with the listening point. The ideal would be one on each side of the screen, to further enhance the listening experience, both with a 5.1 and 7.1 system.
As for the center speaker, it would be best to place it at the bottom of the screen, for accurate reproduction of dialogues. Bass comes from the subwoofer and the rear speakers are positioned behind the listening area to create an immersive surround effect.
To complete the cinema sound experience in your living room, there are rear speakers called dipoles, They have a screw integrated into the base to hold the wall support, making them much more practical and comfortable when installing them.
“You can rotate them at an angle of 45 degrees, so that one side emits sound towards the back wall and the other towards the side wall, always at least 10 centimeters away from each other, to create a perfect surround sound effect. The distance between the rear speakers and the listening position should be at least one meter,” detail the Teufel experts.
THE PERFECT SYSTEM FOR SPACIOUS ROOMS
For their part, the specialists They recommend more advanced systems, such as 7.1, for rooms larger than 30m2. In these cases, the placement of the devices becomes even more crucial, as they bring with them additional speakers for greater immersion. In addition to the front, center and rear speakers, two additional speakers are incorporated behind the listening area for an even more immersive sound experience.
Ideally, the dipoles should be mounted to one side of the listening position, at a height of 1.40 to 2.10 meters, so that they radiate sound forward and backward, never directly towards the listening position. Attention should be paid to the alignment and distance of these speakers to achieve sound symmetry.
Teufel recommends some of their rear speakers, such as their EFFEKT 2 speakers, for the side wall next to the listener’s seat, which would follow the same detailed placement instructions. There is also the possibility of configuring the sound system with four direct projection speakers in the rear area, in the same arrangement mentioned above.
DOLBY ATMOS: A STEP BEYOND SURROUND SOUND
He Dolby Atmos system introduces a vertical dimension to surround sound, using overhead speakers to create a three-dimensional listening experience. In a Dolby Atmos, the top speakers are ideally installed above the front speakers to deliver sound that moves both horizontally and vertically around the listener.
In this system, the number of speakers necessary to achieve Atmos sound varies from 8 to 32 devices, which can be controlled flexibly. It is important to keep in mind that it requires at least two top speakers, although four would be ideal. It is possible to obtain the complete Dolby Atmos sound experience through speakers such as the Teufel Reflekt, which incorporate this technology into a cinema system and expand its features by adding 3D sound that also comes from above.