Placing speakers can be a difficult task. Not only do you need to balance visual aesthetics with optimal sound performance, but there are different guidelines for placing each speaker in a surround sound set up. This article will compare the benefits of speaker stands vs. wall mounts and also provide some general rules of thumb for speaker placement.
The Front Channel Speakers
The most important speakers in your setup for listening to music are the front speakers. The speakers should be as far apart as your are from them to form a triangle. The ideal height is ear level - or for a video set-up - aligned with the screen.
While a pair of Floor Standing are desirable, the Tribe III offers an elegant solution that will free up floorspace.
The Center-Channel Speaker
In a home theater setup the most essential speaker is the center channel as 60-70% of the soundtrack and almost all of the dialogue will be directed to this one speaker. Consequently, proper placement of this speaker is critical for an enjoyable movie watching experience.
Many people will want to sidestep the whole stands vs. mounts question and just place the center channel speaker inside a cabinet - this could end up sounding too muddy.
The Tribe III can be wall mounted or placed on a console Cabinet.
The Rear Speakers
In a home theater setup the rear speakers are essential for the 3D experience and atmospheric effects in the soundtrack. The Tribe III is a practical alternative in that it can be placed high up on the side or real walls exactly where you want, and its minimal depth (3 1/2") does not protrude into the room much.
