| Planning a Home Theater |
From "Home Tech"
episode HTC-101 |
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Planning a home theater will require committing a considerable amount of space in your home (perhaps a whole room) for a dedicated viewing and listening environment. Because of the equipment that will be necessary, and the optimal placement of components, the room that will house the home theater may need to be altered somewhat. At the very least, it's likely that you'll need to need to change the placement of some of the furniture in the room. Assuming that you're willing to make the financial investment in a home theater system (and that investment can be considerable), one of the most critical elements for designing a listening room is advance planning. Home theaters and listening rooms that are designed properly are all built around the creation of a sonic "sweet spot" -- the position in the room that allows for the listener(s) to hear each speaker optimally, from the ideal orientation and distance. When high-quality components and speakers are properly balanced, the sweet spot can create some dramatic sonic effects. Not only does it allow the listener to hear the subtleties and nuances in the recorded sound, it can also create the sonic illusion of space, direction and environmental acoustics. As an example, a good-quality recording of a choir recorded in a cathedral and played back through a high-quality system that is properly arranged can create for the listener the sonic illusion of being in the space where the recording was made. With the listener's eyes closed, the reproduced sound of the choir may actually sound as if it is being heard in the cathedral -- rather than in a 15-by-20-foot room in someone's home. The same principles of physics come into play with the soundtrack to your favorite film. Though sound reproduction can be an esoteric and inexact science, here are some general guidelines for setting up the elements in your home theater to enhance your listening enjoyment: - Once you've decided on the placement of your TV screen, begin "building" your sweet spot by visualizing an imaginary triangle based on the placement of the two front speakers. The front-channel speakers should be placed on either side of the TV, equidistant from it and, in most cases, 8 to 12 feet apart. The imaginary line between the speakers forms the base of the triangle. With the speakers angled or "toed in" slightly, find the imaginary point where the imaginary lines converge to form the triangle. The main viewing area should be within the triangle-shaped area. The exact sweet spot will be the apex of the triangle where the imaginary lines, extending out from the front planes of the speakers, intersect. If the speakers are placed properly, you should be able to get good dispersion and enjoy the full benefit of the sound coming from those speakers (figure A).
- The rear speakers are ideally located at ear level, directly behind the sweet spot and equidistanf from it (figure B). In some cases rear-channel speakers are ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted for reasons of aesthetics.
- The TV screen should be directly in front of the sweet spot. The height of the screen should be based on the viewers' eye-level while seated in the chairs or sofa that will be used in the viewing area. The center-channel speaker is usually placed directly above the TV screen. The front speakers, rear speakers, center channel and TV screen form the foundation of your audio/video room and home theater system (figure C).
- Though opinions differ on this matter, it's usually advisable to place the control center of your a/v system (figure D) behind the viewing area to help minimize visual distractions. Some people find the aesthetics of their electronics equipment pleasing. Much modern audio and video equipment (especially in the higher price ranges) is now designed with aesthetics in mind, with simple and sleek lines. Such pieces can be especially eye-pleasing if housed in an attractive piece of a/v furniture or a rack system. For home theater and movie-watching, however, it's generally best to have the glowing panels and flashing indicator lights of receivers and VCRs behind you. This allows you to focus more completely on the screen and the action and dialog of the program you're watching.
- When furnishing a home theater, the furnishings and the types of wall and floor coverings should be taken into consideration. The reflectivity of various surfaces does have a significant impact on acoustics. Soft furniture (figure E) and fabric drapes (figure F) are preferable as they absorb sound and create a less harsh, more sonically dead room. On the other hand, glass and marble surfaces should be avoided or kept to a minimum since they reflect sound and can cause distortion.
- If you have hardwood floors, consider using area rugs to help soften the sound (figure G).
Important: The ideal arrangement of your listening room or home theater will depend, to some degree, on the equipment you're using. Large, floor-standing speakers and more powerful amplifiers may require a somewhat different set-up than bookshelf-sized speakers and a less powerful receiver. Although the general principles remain constant, check the owners manual that comes with your equipment to see if there are recommendations about room configuration, speaker placement, etc.
RESOURCES :
Ultimate Electronics
Ultimate Electronics was featured in the DIY Home Technology workshop.
Ultimate Electronics
Thornton, CO 80260
Phone: 303-412-2500
Website: www.ultimateelectronics.com
Crutchfield home audio and video
Crutchfield is not only a catalog retailer specializing in a wide array of popular audio and video equipment, they excel at providing information and resources for audio-system installation. Their free catalog offers advice on selecting the best type of system for your tastes and the most suitable equipment for your audio and home-theater needs.
Stereo Review's Sound and Vision magazine
Stereo Review's Sound and Vision is a magazine dedicated to home audio and video equipment and home-theater entertainment.
Web site: www.soundandvisionmag.com
The Sensible Sound magazine
The Sensible Sound is a magazine devoted to helping audiophiles and home-theater enthusiasts find the best bargains in high-end audio and video equipment.
Web site: www.sensiblesound.com
The Perfect Vision magazine
The Perfect Vision is a magazine devoted to high-performance and audiophile level equipment used in home theater systems.
Web site: www.theperfectvision.com
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