Rear Speaker placement?

[Deep]

You may have seen this structural plan from my previous posts on this forum.
I've already got a set of Monitor Audio Bronze 500 and a Marantz NR1608 (I think it was) AV receiver.
I want to use a 5.1 system in my lounge but not sure where to put the rear speakers.

The TV, centre, fronts and sub will all go along the exterior wall (above the word lounge) and my sofa will be against the wall with the door.
Can the rear speakers be facing downwards or should they be at "ear level"? If so I would probably have to get some stands but can plan around that

 

[Deep]

Since you have Monitor Audio speakers

Bronze FX | Monitor Audio

The Monitor Audio Bronze FX rear speaker delivers a true home cinema experience and will surround you in sound.

www.monitoraudio.com

Yeah I'll be looking at which ones to get, but will stick with MA as they've done me well

I'd put them above the wall where it says "hall" also look into wall mount bipole speakers

That was my initial thought as well, I'll probably wall mount them but will look into stands just in case

The ideal placement is either side or slightly behind the listening position, and about 12" (30cm) above ear height when seated. However, in your case that won't be possible. With the couch close to the back wall, the potential left speaker position by the window is sitting behind the outcrop of the corner return that is the cloakroom. This rules out the mirror position on the right just past where the door opens out. This is before considering practicality such as drape positions and a speaker being in the way as someone enters/exits the room.

I think high up, facing down is your most practical solution. Look at MA Radius 45. The tweeter faces backwards so it diffuses rather than drawing attention to itself at such a short throw distance. This, or in-ceilings, but you'll have to think about how to stop the sound leaking up into the rooms above. You can end up spending as much or more on a fire hood with acoustic damping as you would a speaker.

I'm definitely interested in the MA Radius 45 as they come in walnut as well.
I am thinking to put the speakers either side of where the sofa will be, so next to the door and on the other side of the cloakroom midway up the wall.
I can but don't want to do ceiling speakers, on the upper floor I'm going to be having underfloor heating and while it'll have acoustic matting I don't want my speakers getting hot so just to be careful.

 

[Deep]

That's info you didn't give in the OP. We can only advise on the basis of what you tell us. If there's something that's going to affect equipment choices or how you use the gear then you need to include that stuff in your opening post.



Since you'll have underfloor heating upstairs, then that also rules out in-ceilings for Atmos (since your 1608 is 5.1.2 capable), but not upfirers. Your speaker choice for the ground level surrounds does depend to a degree on whether you plan to go Atmos sometime in the future. With a major rebuild/refurbishment job then it's prudent to include wiring now for what might reasonably progress to in the future. The argument here is simple. Opening up walls and ceilings just to run speaker wire is expensive, messy and disruptive. The cost of adding that wiring now while you have all the mess going on - even if it never gets used - is a drop in the ocean.

If Atmos will never ever happen, then you can choose diffuse surrounds. The Bronze FX are a good choice.

Good point, I completely forgot about UFH having an impact on this.
Honestly I'm not an audiophile in the sense I want the latest and greatest, I've never had a proper 5.1 so this will be a big step up. I've only ever had a 3.0!

The I will probably get the Bronze FX speakers as they'll fit in and will just need to research how high I need to put them.

Edit
Hold the phone I just read on the MA site that I can put the dolby speakers on top of my normal speakers?

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What do you all think of this concept?

 

[Deep]

Dolby upfirers aren't as good as ceiling or height speakers, angled down and placed a high as possible on the wall

Oh that's good to hear, then I'll stick with the Bronze FX as mentioned earlier.
I tried to find out how high to place them on the wall but was struggling to find an answer

 

[Deep]

Thanks so much!

Just to give you a updated view of what I'm working with!

Side view of the room

TV wall

Sofa and door wall

 

[Deep]

Ore wire system to 7.2.4 or whatever you think you may need.

Lay trunking for hdmi cables where you can replace whenever needed. Lay one in for projector as well

I'd love to eventually plan for a surround system like that but I feel with the sofa being against the wall I'll lose a lot of the impact, which then makes me reconsider whether it's worth it.

I want to eventually get a projector and will be planning some conduit for a projector above the sofa area.

 

[Deep]

Seeing at that room is pretty much as bare bones as possible you've got a lot of options. I don't see what the issue would be with ufh and atmosphere, is it the heat as surely there would be some form of insulation to prevent it cooking the speakers.
Not sure if I missed it, but I assume you will run speaker cables before plastering?

Yep, in a few weeks I'll be planning out plugs, ethernet, speaker locations etc.
I'm going to go for a standard 5.1 setup as recommended, but just need to figure out what furniture to buy