Preparation / Speaker Placement - Russound Acclaim 7 Series Installation Manual

PrePArAtIon / SPeAker PlAcement

Speaker Placement and Use
Placement can make all the difference in how your Russound speaker system
sounds. All rooms have different sound characteristics. Speaker location,
listening location, reflective and absorbing surfaces all have a dramatic effect
on the sound you hear. There are at least four related considerations that factor
into the speaker layout:
• The intended use: critical listening, home theater, or background music
• The room's physical characteristics: hard, reflective surfaces or soft, absorbent
textures
• The listening locations: a desired prime listening spot or a need for sound
throughout the room
• The available locations: unobstructed wall and ceiling surfaces
It may happen that the ideal or desired locations for the speakers may have to
be modified for feasibility.
4 Russound In-wall LCR Loudspeaker Installation Manual
Determine the intended use of the speakers in the room. If they are going to
be your primary listening source in a room, you need to consider some other
factors to insure proper imaging. The term "stereo imaging" refers to a speaker
system's ability to project music so that it sounds like the performers are in a
three-dimensional space between the speakers.
There are several factors to keep in mind before you begin actual installation.
In general, the best acoustic performance will result if both speakers face
a similar type of surface, are placed in similar positions on the same wall or
ceiling, and are mounted to the same type of material with equal cavity
volume.
Bass frequencies are emphasized when an In-wall speaker is placed close to
a corner. This tends to make male voices sound deeper and may muddy some
sounds such as sound track dialogue. Avoid placing just one speaker in a corner
and another on a long flat wall.
Treble is emphasized when it bounces back from reflective surfaces such
as large windows. Conversely, highs tend to be muffled by soft surfaces
such as drapes, rugs, upholstered furniture, etc. The best situation is a mix of
absorptive and reflective surfaces, which can be achieved by adding throw
rugs or insulated drapes to a reflective room.
The tweeters should be placed at ear level of the intended user. In a horizontal
orientation, the speaker can be mounted with the tweeter at the top or bottom.
In a vertical orientation the speakers should be mounted with the tweeters
positioned to the outside and aimed toward the listener.