5.1 Speakers

[PotatoSandWitch]

I was thinking of getting some better speakers, and looked at the Logitech X-530's. They're 5.1 and have many pieces, so you have to place them all around you correct? What is the ideal placement for speakers like that? Do they have to be in a perfect circle for the best experience?

 

[Smartazz]

My Z5500's aren't in a perfect circle and they sound fine. I would try to make it the best circle you can possibly make it, there should be some program that comes with it that should tell you how to do it the best way possible.

 

[PotatoSandWitch]

ah.. ok. how far away can they be behind you or to the side? do they all have to connect to each other with wires?

 

[Smartazz]

Originally posted by: PotatoSandWitch
ah.. ok. how far away can they be behind you or to the side? do they all have to connect to each other with wires?

No, in my system each speaker connects to the subwoofer which is connected to another module which is connected to the sound card. I keep them really close by, but the application lets you decide how you want it to sound depending on whether the speakers are close to you or far away. This is the case with the Z5500's and I hope it's the case with these.

 

[imported_Imp]

Placement Diagram

That's the ideal placement that most recommend. Apparently the rears are actually surrounds, so they should be to your left and right, as opposed to behind (I found this out recently). Anyways, there's no rules, just put them where you have space and orient them accordingly (i.e. Front, Center and Rears). Some people just put all 5 infront of them, which is retarded, but whatever floats their boat.

 

[corkyg]

Normal surround sound is three in front and two behind.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: Imp
Placement Diagram

That's the ideal placement that most recommend. Apparently the rears are actually surrounds, so they should be to your left and right, as opposed to behind (I found this out recently). Anyways, there's no rules, just put them where you have space and orient them accordingly (i.e. Front, Center and Rears). Some people just put all 5 infront of them, which is retarded, but whatever floats their boat.

Yeah, that's good for movies.
I honesly didn't read through that one, but the diagrams look a heck of a lot like Dolby's own suggestions
http://www.dolby.com/consumer/home_entertainment/roomlayout.html

I don't think there's something that standardized for "gaming" though. I honestly don't game that much and haven't researched if there's some better suggestions out there for optimizing gaming placement. Having the surrounds more behind you than to the side might be a better setup for games.

As long as you get them at least to the side of you, you're going to be in much better shape than a lot of people out there that have 5 speakers all lined up in front of them on their desk

 

[mgacam2]

well i have the logitech x-530's and i use a corner desk. I have my center channel and 2 fronts in front of me, my sub is underneath the desk and my 2 rears i set up on the very edges of my corner desk and mounted on the wall. I tested it with my 3d realtek sound setup and it works very well. I havnt even made half a circle and the effect is very much there

 

[mgacam2]

by the way i suggest getting the > Logitech Z-5300e speakers instead. I know at factory direct they come refurbished for around 70 dollors which is a hell of a deal for some thx certified speakers. the 530's arent bad at all but the sub isnt good enough for the types of things i do...movie playback and such at extreme levels just dont work for this system. Of course the system wasnt designed to be used at max like i have it. The sub does amaze you the first time and the sound quality is extremely crisp and clear. The sub just doesnt go low enough and seems to have a bit of trouble handling fast sounds so to speak