You should measure to the wall and ceiling if you have in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. If you have box speakers (bookshelf, tower etc) then you should measure to the front of the speaker.
Hey George, just to confirm. Since I will be using bookshelfs and the same mounts you use, that will drop the tweeter and speaker lower than the ceiling. In this case I should measure the distance from my ear height to where the speaker will be "dropped down" to and not to the ceiling itself. My stats would be: 36" ear level - 108" ceiling height = 72" x .7 = 50.4" from the ceiling. Or should I take into account the speaker being lower than ceiling by 12 inches or so. Since Im using q150s and the same mounts as you, any idea what the measurement is from the ceiling to where the speaker/tweeter lies? Appreciate you, your videos, and the help.
That is all correct. The speakers will sit about 12 inches lower than the ceiling, so you can subtract 12” from the measurement from the ceiling to ear level.
@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Thanks George. Im all set. Now all I have to do is get the speaker wires in the ceiling and to the right locations. Haha. Thanks again.
The problem with all these formulae and angle calculations is that the room dimensions and seating location often prevent their application. For example, there isn't enough space behind the seating to locate the rear surrounds where the formula specifies or the ceiling is too low to support the recommended angle. Unless one designs the "perfect" media room from scratch, before the house is built, everything is a compromise. I don't get too bogged down in this stuff anymore. My mantra is "do the best you can with the room and budget you have".
You dropped this at tge right time, im doing my measurements for 5.1.2 and online results were confusing me bad. This is super clear. My right side wall is farther for surrounds and you explained with an exact example. Its like you read my mind or heard my cry lol Thank you so much
This and the 9 setup are very helpful! I’m trying to setup a 7.1.4 setup and have the measurements for the 5.1.4 but unsure I understand the suggestion on the two side speakers? I remember the 30degree discussion on the 9.1.4 setup, so I’m not sure which multiplier to use, would love your guidance if possible! Thanks again
For a 7.1.4, follow the 9.1.4 setup and skip the Wide speaker placement (the speakers on the side walls, slightly forward of the main listening position). All the other speakers are identical.
Hi I have a 7.2.4 setup and I’ve recently had to rearrange the sofa MLP position due to furniture changes. I used the Dolby recommendations to setup angles for the rear heights and the front heights but due to the changed MLP my surround left and rights are now directly below the front heights. I’m fairly restricted in moving the rear heights which are now further back by 600mm but the front heights can be moved forward a bit. Does it matter where the bed layer rear and side speakers are located because if I use your recommended 0.7 factor calculation for the heights the surrounds will be outside the heights rectangle or do they all have to be in line? Or should I just leave the front heights where they are to save me cutting more holes in the ceiling and live with it? Hope you can advise please.
You can use these same calculations for a 7 bed-layer configuration, everything is the same but no Wides are installed. For 2 Height speakers, use the formula in this video. I’m not sure about voice of god. ua-cam.com/video/vuZ56_zHLTI/v-deo.html
Hi I have a 7.2.4 setup and I’ve recently had to rearrange the sofa MLP position due to furniture changes. I used the Dolby recommendations to setup angles for the rear heights and the front heights but due to the changed MLP my surround left and rights are now directly below the front heights. I’m fairly restricted in moving the rear heights which are now further back by 600mm but the front heights can be moved forward a bit. Does it matter where the bed layer rear and side speakers are located because if I use your recommended 0.7 factor calculation for the heights the surrounds will be outside the heights rectangle or do they all have to be in line? Or should I just leave the front heights where they are to save me cutting more holes in the ceiling and live with it? Hope you can advise please.
Really appreciate the guidance. Thanks! Question: doesn’t room correction software, such as Audyssey or Dirac, compensate for less than ideal physical placement?
Very close to how I have mine wired. I think I used Home Theatre Guru’s guide. So many people just line up the ceiling speakers with the main l/r bc of Dolby’s confusing/contradictory instructions and diagrams. Anthony Grimani has very interesting methods for ceiling speaker placement too. Iirc, he prefers the heights to be more inboard
Thanks for sharing this. I will use this video in my new home with hopefully a proper 5.1.2 setup. Surround right speaker will be on the wall next to the kitchen. 49 inches from my MLP
Hello hello! watching your setup videos made me easily understand how to set up averything. But in cases that it's a living room with a big window on one side and a built in library just behind the sofa, how do we set up anything??? haha difficult task I think
Love your channel brother, your last video on this revolutionized my sound. I also angled in my left and right speaker toward the mlp instead of straight ahead like they’ve been and that combined with the new placement of the speakers has made atmos way more convincing, the sound bubble is real!! Angling the speakers also didn’t negatively affect the sound from the side listening positions, in fact I’d say they are improved since they aren’t getting blasted with the left or right speaker by sitting in front of it. One thing people should mention is your surrounds should be above ear level (even with atmos speakers) so the sound isnt so easily locatable and those sitting on the sides aren’t getting just that surround blasting in their ear and blocking it somewhat for the person sitting in the opposite seating position. All these things combined has made my same system sound way better with the same movies from all the seats in the house, especially the center seat. It all started because you sent me down the rabbit hole with your last video talking about speaker position. It’s easy to get crazy about this stuff!
I'm confused by why the spacing/placement has to be so specific, would the sound be so dramatically different if the rear surround speakers are not placed exactly where these recommendations are?
Dolby offers a range of angles. I set these formulas to the middle of those ranges. That way there is some wiggle room if you’re unable to place the speakers at the exact location.
Hey George, installing the Q150s on the same adjustable mounts. Random question which way did you face the speaker. Top Kef logo towards the MLP / center of the room. Or the Kef logo top of the speaker pointed away from the MLP and away from the center of the room? Does it even matter?
Not sure if you remember our conversation but I got my Valencia seats and bass shakers. So much emersion and I also went with the amp you suggested… super nice!!
Its a very good video but it doesn't work in every room. For right and left speakers one needs a very wide room. In my room no matter where I had the MLP the calculations were just to wide to fit into my room. For the calculation to fit I would have to be sitting very close to the screen. I wonder if there is a work around.
Thanks mate for the clear instructions. I'm literally about to mount the speakers to the ceiling. ( Surface touched not inceiling) I'm a bit confused though then I tought with only two overhead speakers I should place them around halway the tv and the sitting position. I will use a bracket that enables to angle the speakers at the listener's ears. Can you confirm that its better to place them just slightly above you with the 10 degrees angle?
If you have 2 ceiling speakers, not 4, then the two speakers should be mounted above your head 10 degrees forward. Use the .18 multiplier to find the 10 degree location. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Just one more question mate. When you calculated the correct distance for the overhead speakers in a 5.1.2 setup do you start to measure from the front side of the speaker or more like from the middle of it ?
In my bedroom I only have a 5.1 system I don’t think I will do dolby atmos in my bedroom for awhile but I do have a 5.2.2 atmos setup it would be interesting to see a tutorial about 5.1
Measure in cm and then multiply the distance by the multiplier I give in the video. For instance, if the distance from the MLP to the wall is 100 cm, multiply by .58. That means you set the speaker over 58 cm.
Doesn't work for all rooms though. My screen is similarly large, but I can't place speakers behind it unfortunately, so I've had to place my centre speaker above the screen, as it'd be within reach of children if placed under the screen, and front sides have had to go on the edge of the screen. My rear heights have also had to go right above the listening position as my room is too narrow from front to back unfortunately, nor do I have side walls, so I have had to put surrounds on the back wall... Have had to make a lot of compromises, only the center heights are able to be placed correctly.... All my speakers are adjustable in angle though, so I'm hoping once everything is finished it'll still sound good.
Some rooms are very challenging and we just have to do the best we can. Sounds like have done a good job of figuring out how to make it work. Thanks for watching!
This only works if you are planning to mount the ATMOS height speakers on the ceiling facing down and at the MLP. In my case I have my ATMOS on the Side walls and Front Wall as I have a vaulted ceiling that is also at an angle on one side.
You should measure to the wall and ceiling if you have in-wall/in-ceiling speakers. If you have box speakers (bookshelf, tower etc) then you should measure to the front of the speaker.
Hey George, just to confirm. Since I will be using bookshelfs and the same mounts you use, that will drop the tweeter and speaker lower than the ceiling. In this case I should measure the distance from my ear height to where the speaker will be "dropped down" to and not to the ceiling itself. My stats would be: 36" ear level - 108" ceiling height = 72" x .7 = 50.4" from the ceiling. Or should I take into account the speaker being lower than ceiling by 12 inches or so. Since Im using q150s and the same mounts as you, any idea what the measurement is from the ceiling to where the speaker/tweeter lies? Appreciate you, your videos, and the help.
That is all correct. The speakers will sit about 12 inches lower than the ceiling, so you can subtract 12” from the measurement from the ceiling to ear level.
@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Thanks George. Im all set. Now all I have to do is get the speaker wires in the ceiling and to the right locations. Haha. Thanks again.
This was so incredibly helpful for figuring out 5.1.2 placement in my weird living/theater area. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome! Glad to hear it was helpful.
The problem with all these formulae and angle calculations is that the room dimensions and seating location often prevent their application. For example, there isn't enough space behind the seating to locate the rear surrounds where the formula specifies or the ceiling is too low to support the recommended angle.
Unless one designs the "perfect" media room from scratch, before the house is built, everything is a compromise.
I don't get too bogged down in this stuff anymore. My mantra is "do the best you can with the room and budget you have".
You dropped this at tge right time, im doing my measurements for 5.1.2 and online results were confusing me bad. This is super clear.
My right side wall is farther for surrounds and you explained with an exact example. Its like you read my mind or heard my cry lol
Thank you so much
So glad I could help! And good luck with your build!
This and the 9 setup are very helpful! I’m trying to setup a 7.1.4 setup and have the measurements for the 5.1.4 but unsure I understand the suggestion on the two side speakers? I remember the 30degree discussion on the 9.1.4 setup, so I’m not sure which multiplier to use, would love your guidance if possible! Thanks again
For a 7.1.4, follow the 9.1.4 setup and skip the Wide speaker placement (the speakers on the side walls, slightly forward of the main listening position). All the other speakers are identical.
@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome ahh! Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!
Hi I have a 7.2.4 setup and I’ve recently had to rearrange the sofa MLP position due to furniture changes. I used the Dolby recommendations to setup angles for the rear heights and the front heights but due to the changed MLP my surround left and rights are now directly below the front heights. I’m fairly restricted in moving the rear heights which are now further back by 600mm but the front heights can be moved forward a bit. Does it matter where the bed layer rear and side speakers are located because if I use your recommended 0.7 factor calculation for the heights the surrounds will be outside the heights rectangle or do they all have to be in line? Or should I just leave the front heights where they are to save me cutting more holes in the ceiling and live with it? Hope you can advise please.
Thanks for keeping it simple love it how about 7.4.2 system also Would it work for the voice of god set up?
You can use these same calculations for a 7 bed-layer configuration, everything is the same but no Wides are installed. For 2 Height speakers, use the formula in this video. I’m not sure about voice of god.
ua-cam.com/video/vuZ56_zHLTI/v-deo.html
Hi I have a 7.2.4 setup and I’ve recently had to rearrange the sofa MLP position due to furniture changes. I used the Dolby recommendations to setup angles for the rear heights and the front heights but due to the changed MLP my surround left and rights are now directly below the front heights. I’m fairly restricted in moving the rear heights which are now further back by 600mm but the front heights can be moved forward a bit. Does it matter where the bed layer rear and side speakers are located because if I use your recommended 0.7 factor calculation for the heights the surrounds will be outside the heights rectangle or do they all have to be in line? Or should I just leave the front heights where they are to save me cutting more holes in the ceiling and live with it? Hope you can advise please.
Great! Now what if you have a 7.2 system with all in-ceiling speakers BUT want atmos 7.2.4 with in-wall speakers. Thanks.
Really appreciate the guidance. Thanks! Question: doesn’t room correction software, such as Audyssey or Dirac, compensate for less than ideal physical placement?
Thanks! Room correction software doesn’t really correct for poor speaker placement. The speakers need to be placed well to begin with.
You make it very easy to understand. Today I will be setting up my 5.1.4 system and this video just shows up
Very close to how I have mine wired. I think I used Home Theatre Guru’s guide. So many people just line up the ceiling speakers with the main l/r bc of Dolby’s confusing/contradictory instructions and diagrams. Anthony Grimani has very interesting methods for ceiling speaker placement too. Iirc, he prefers the heights to be more inboard
Thanks for sharing this. I will use this video in my new home with hopefully a proper 5.1.2 setup. Surround right speaker will be on the wall next to the kitchen. 49 inches from my MLP
Hello hello!
watching your setup videos made me easily understand how to set up averything. But in cases that it's a living room with a big window on one side and a built in library just behind the sofa, how do we set up anything??? haha difficult task I think
You can set the surround speakers on stands and place them to either side of the couch. Good luck!
Love your channel brother, your last video on this revolutionized my sound. I also angled in my left and right speaker toward the mlp instead of straight ahead like they’ve been and that combined with the new placement of the speakers has made atmos way more convincing, the sound bubble is real!! Angling the speakers also didn’t negatively affect the sound from the side listening positions, in fact I’d say they are improved since they aren’t getting blasted with the left or right speaker by sitting in front of it. One thing people should mention is your surrounds should be above ear level (even with atmos speakers) so the sound isnt so easily locatable and those sitting on the sides aren’t getting just that surround blasting in their ear and blocking it somewhat for the person sitting in the opposite seating position. All these things combined has made my same system sound way better with the same movies from all the seats in the house, especially the center seat. It all started because you sent me down the rabbit hole with your last video talking about speaker position. It’s easy to get crazy about this stuff!
So glad to hear it! Sometimes just little changes can make a big difference. All the best to you and thanks for watching!
One thing I had to get out my head while placing my speakers was "distances" and replace it in my head with angles. Thanks for sharing.
I'm confused by why the spacing/placement has to be so specific, would the sound be so dramatically different if the rear surround speakers are not placed exactly where these recommendations are?
Dolby offers a range of angles. I set these formulas to the middle of those ranges. That way there is some wiggle room if you’re unable to place the speakers at the exact location.
Hey George, installing the Q150s on the same adjustable mounts. Random question which way did you face the speaker. Top Kef logo towards the MLP / center of the room. Or the Kef logo top of the speaker pointed away from the MLP and away from the center of the room? Does it even matter?
I don’t think it makes a difference
Not sure if you remember our conversation but I got my Valencia seats and bass shakers. So much emersion and I also went with the amp you suggested… super nice!!
I do remember! Great to hear you got them and like them!
Its a very good video but it doesn't work in every room. For right and left speakers one needs a very wide room. In my room no matter where I had the MLP the calculations were just to wide to fit into my room. For the calculation to fit I would have to be sitting very close to the screen. I wonder if there is a work around.
Easy to understand & of great value, thanks
What about the front heights or on top speaker options?
I haven’t used those personally. But if there is enough interest I could research them out and make a video.
Very helpful.
Excellent video!!! Thank you for the information. Any chance you could do a video on speaker toe in at some point in the future?
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it! I will add that idea to my queue. Thanks for the suggestion.
Thanks mate for the clear instructions. I'm literally about to mount the speakers to the ceiling. ( Surface touched not inceiling) I'm a bit confused though then I tought with only two overhead speakers I should place them around halway the tv and the sitting position. I will use a bracket that enables to angle the speakers at the listener's ears. Can you confirm that its better to place them just slightly above you with the 10 degrees angle?
If you have 2 ceiling speakers, not 4, then the two speakers should be mounted above your head 10 degrees forward. Use the .18 multiplier to find the 10 degree location. Good luck and thanks for watching.
@GeorgeTheaterAtHome Just one more question mate. When you calculated the correct distance for the overhead speakers in a 5.1.2 setup do you start to measure from the front side of the speaker or more like from the middle of it ?
Amazing
In my bedroom I only have a 5.1 system I don’t think I will do dolby atmos in my bedroom for awhile but I do have a 5.2.2 atmos setup it would be interesting to see a tutorial about 5.1
Where do these multiplier numbers come from?
They are the multipliers that set the speakers at the recommended angles per Dolby
Can you do this in cm not inches for us non Americans... LOL
Measure in cm and then multiply the distance by the multiplier I give in the video. For instance, if the distance from the MLP to the wall is 100 cm, multiply by .58. That means you set the speaker over 58 cm.
Doesn't work for all rooms though. My screen is similarly large, but I can't place speakers behind it unfortunately, so I've had to place my centre speaker above the screen, as it'd be within reach of children if placed under the screen, and front sides have had to go on the edge of the screen. My rear heights have also had to go right above the listening position as my room is too narrow from front to back unfortunately, nor do I have side walls, so I have had to put surrounds on the back wall... Have had to make a lot of compromises, only the center heights are able to be placed correctly.... All my speakers are adjustable in angle though, so I'm hoping once everything is finished it'll still sound good.
Some rooms are very challenging and we just have to do the best we can. Sounds like have done a good job of figuring out how to make it work. Thanks for watching!
This only works if you are planning to mount the ATMOS height speakers on the ceiling facing down and at the MLP. In my case I have my ATMOS on the Side walls and Front Wall as I have a vaulted ceiling that is also at an angle on one side.
You make it very easy to understand. Today I will be setting up my 5.1.4 system and this video just shows up
Thanks! Glad to help out. Good luck with your build!
@@GeorgeTheaterAtHome I just installed the 5 bed layer one and sound amazing, now I want to go 7 😂😂😂… thanks so much