Speaker Locations - PSB the CustomSound Series Installation Manual

B. Speaker Locations
Here are three simple ideals, which are never fully satisfied:
1. Locate speakers equidistant to listeners, preferably at ear level.
2. Locate speakers closer to each other than their distance from listeners.
3. Locate speakers symmetrically to each other and to their physical
surroundings.
Ideally, listeners will be equidistant from front right and left and center channel
speakers and from rear (or side) left and right surround channels for most
accurate spatial imaging. If listeners are too close to front or to rear channel
speakers the image cannot come together and flow seamlessly across. While
ear-level mounting is ideal, the swivel tweeters can be aimed towards the
listeners, increasing the accuracy of frequency response when speakers are
located further off axis from listeners' ears. Most importantly, a center channel
speaker should be located centered on the TV screen—to keep center channel
sound coming from the center of the screen.
Balance adjustment can compensate for some physical location difference between
left and right. Time-delay adjustment of surround sound can compensate for some
physical location difference between front and rear. With mono signals equidistant,
symmetrical location is still desired to minimize balancing requirements. Proximity to
additional side wall, ceiling or floor surfaces will cause increases and decreases in
frequency response which are very difficult to electronically equalize for smooth
response overall—particularly when only some of the speakers are affected.
Ceiling locations are generally good locations, particularly for rear channel and
secondary listening, allowing symmetrical layouts and the increased volume
between floor joists for improved bass response. Some sound output will transmit
through the wall behind (or floor above) a speaker; and, while this can be lessened
with insulation and other installation techniques, it should be considered in finalizing
locations.
All CustomSound models are designed to maintain the same tonal balance when
different models are mixed in a system. The same model should be used in
symmetrical listening locations in a system—front left and front right; rear left and
rear right.
Any of the PSB in-wall systems can be used as surround speakers. We also offer
dedicated surround systems with special radiation patterns optimized for use as a
surrounds, such as the CW260.
Surround systems should be located via the following guidelines. If you are using
one pair of surround speakers (a 5.1 system) the optimum location would be directly
to the sides or to the sides and slightly back of the primary listening area. This will
create the most enveloping surround field. Using 2 pair of surrounds (a 7.1 system)
is recommended as it both creates a more diffuse and a more even sound field.
There will be less variation for multiple seating positions. If your system has four
surround speakers then one pair should be mounted to the left and right sides of the
listener (connected as "sides") and the second pair mounted to the rear (connected
as "rears"). If you could view your room layout from above the best surround
speaker location would have each speaker a fairly even angle removed from its
adjacent surround, that is, dispersed at equal angles around the listening area.
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