Aperion Audio Intimus Series - Manual (Page 6)

Multi-channel Music & Home Theater Placement
Optimizing A Multi-channel Set-Up For Surround Sound
Home theater and multi-channel music has introduced a new speaker
configuration to home audio. Instead of the large floor mounted stereo
speakers of the 70’s and 80’s, your Aperion Audio sound system is comprised
of a combination of small, easy to locate speakers to carry the mid and high
frequencies and a powered subwoofer for the low bass. You may also choose
powered towers with built-in powered subwoofers. These speakers are
arranged around the listener in an array with 3 speakers in the front, two
surrounds and in some cases one or two back surround speakers.
Each room is unique and unless the room was specifically designed to be
a home theater, the acoustic properties are not perfect. You can start with
the following guidelines for setting up your speakers, but don’t be afraid to
experiment. Often a small difference in placement can yield a big improvement
in sound.
· Be aware that many bare surfaces in a room can add harshness to the
sound or muddy the dialogue. Sound absorbing surfaces like carpeting
and drapes will help.
· Perfectly square rooms, or rooms where one dimension is close to twice
another are problematic and may need more sound absorption.
· If possible, the seating area should be centered between the sidewalls.
· For the best bass, try not to place your seating area so that it is against
a wall or at a position that is 1/2 or 1/4 the room's width or length.
· A speaker’s bass output grows stronger as it is moved closer to the
corners. If a speaker is placed too close to a corner it can sound muddy
or boomy.
· Speakers can create a “soundstage”, an illusion of instuments and
voices with precise locations in 3-dimensional space between and behind
the speakers. Excess room reflections and speaker locations on or close
to walls, will compromise this effect.
4