How to Adjust Surround Sound Speakers
- 1). Separate the front left and right speakers by 5 to 8 feet, with the television between them. The front speakers should be far enough apart so a clear stereo separation can be heard between each channel. Separate them too far, however, and gaps in the sound stage may be heard.
- 2). Place the center channel above or below the TV screen. The center channel supplies most of the dialogue, so it needs to be anchored to the picture for realism. Use the AV receiver remote control to adjust the center channel volume by pressing the "Surround" button and using the left and right arrow keys to select "Center." The center channel may sound better at a moderate to low volume when enjoying dramas and dialog-intensive TV shows. Turning up the center-channel volume during action movies can make dialog easier to follow.
- 3). Place the rear surround speakers behind and slightly above the main seating area in the room. Turn each speaker about 45 degrees inward toward the seating area. The rear speakers provide mostly sound effects to create the sensation of movement, such as an airplane flying overhead. This means the speakers need to be set on a delay from the front-channel speakers to create the effect. Use the AV receiver remote control to adjust the delay setting. A setting of 1 is typically the shortest delay, with 4 being the longest.
- 4). Install the subwoofer anywhere in the room where the big cabinet won't get in the way. Subs produce a low-frequency omnidirectional sound, meaning that the signal appears to be everywhere in the room, so subwoofer placement is not as crucial as the other speakers. Move the sub out from the wall at least 6 inches to prevent the walls from absorbing the bass, which will diminish the impact. Adjust the volume knob on the back of the sub to the desired level. Increasing the sub volume for action movies creates deep, satisfying bass, although heavy bass in quiet dramas may sound annoying.
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