Meridian Audio 565 - Manual (Page 6)

2
Introduction
Planning a system
Before unpacking and setting up your digital surround processor
it is worth spending a little time planning how to set up the
speakers, and the other components of your hi-fi system, so that
they will give the best results when used in conjunction with the
565.
The digital surround processor can be configured to work with a
wide range of different speaker layouts. These include
combinations of a centre speaker, up to four surround speakers,
and up to three subwoofers, with the main left and right
speakers.
The following pages show some of the speaker layouts
particularly recommended for use with the digital surround
processor. For more information about these and the other
layout options see Specifying the speaker layout, page 22.
When you are playing a 5.1 source the digital surround
processor will choose the appropriate decoding for the layout
you are using.
Three-channel surround system
(Layout G or L, No Surrounds)
Adding a centre speaker is the most significant step you can
take to upgrade a two-speaker system, whether you are using
the system for cinema, music, or a combination of the two. It
reinforces the central image, and allows the left and right
speakers to be further apart for a wider soundstage. This gives a
more realistic and stable three-dimensional image of the original
recorded sound, for outstanding music and cinema
reproduction.
The centre speaker needs to be of equivalent quality, and tonally
matched, to the main left and right speakers. It should also have
good power handling as it regularly plays louder than the left
and right speakers. The ideal position is at the same height as
the left and right speakers, and above the TV in a home cinema
system.