Surround speakers reproduce the side and rear information in a multichannel soundtrack, helping create an immersive sound field around the listening position. Choosing and positioning them correctly is important for convincing spatial effects and a coherent home cinema system.
Matching your speaker system
Whenever possible, surround speakers should complement the tonal character of the main speakers. Using models from the same manufacturer or speaker series can help maintain consistent voicing as sounds move around the room.
Dedicated surround designs can also use different dispersion characteristics from conventional front speakers to create a broader and more enveloping sound field.
Speaker position
The appropriate position depends on the home cinema configuration, room layout and number of channels. Surround speakers are typically positioned beside or behind the listening area rather than at the front of the room.
Always consider the recommendations for your AV processor or receiver and the intended channel layout when planning their position.
Direct or wide-dispersion surrounds
Conventional direct-radiating speakers produce a more precisely localised sound, while dedicated wide-dispersion surround speakers are designed to spread sound over a broader listening area.
Neither approach is universally preferable. The room, seating arrangement and intended system configuration determine which solution is most appropriate.
Installation height
Surround speakers should be positioned so that effects integrate naturally with the rest of the sound field without drawing excessive attention to the individual speaker.
The optimum mounting height depends on the speaker design, seating arrangement and system layout, so the manufacturer's installation recommendations should be considered before mounting the speakers permanently.
Planning the complete system
Surround speakers should be selected as part of the complete home cinema system rather than in isolation. Consider your front speakers, center channel, subwoofer, AV receiver or processor, amplification and intended channel configuration when planning the system.
