PSB Speakers VS400 - Manual (Page 5)

This is seldom optimum. Unless you sit quite close to the TV then the left and right
speakers should be spaced farther apart than the width of the TV to get to the 30
degree left and right spacing.
With just 2 surround speakers the best location for the surrounds would be to the
side rather than to the back of the listening area. They should be 90 to 100 degrees
around the circle from the front (straight to the sides and just a little back of the
listeners), although there is a little more leeway in where the surrounds can be
placed than with the front loudspeakers.
Other hints:
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 blend seamlessly across. With the VS300, while
setting the center of the system at ear-level is ideal, the response of the system is
usefully wide and some height placement latitude is permissible. The left and right
speakers can be mounted at the same wall height as the television. Ideally for
comfortable viewing, the television will be seated head height or perhaps between
an appropriate seated height and a standing height. 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. In the case of a wall mounted
Television ( such as a Plasma TV) the system will usually be mounted just below the
set. In the case of floor standing rear projection sets the center can sit on top of the
unit, angled slightly downward.
Balance adjustment can compensate for some physical location difference between
left and right. Time-delay adjustment within the surround sound processor (if
present) can more effectively compensate for path length differences between left
and right, or front and rear.
If you sit equally distant from both speakers, angling the speakers inward (“toeing
them in') about 10 to 20 degrees usually produces the best convergence of high
frequencies where you listen. Toe-in will also improve the consistancy of sound
from seat to seat.
All distances are equal
30° 30°
100° 100°
30° 30°
100° 100°
Ideal speaker placement: 5.1 Ideal speaker placement: 7.1
5