diagram courtesy of Telarc
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ITU loudspeaker setup for multi-channel music
In 1994, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) issued their recommendation for loudspeaker placement in a multi-channel audio system. Most recording labels releasing multi-channel Super Audio CD (SACD) and DVD-Audio use this speaker setup standard for monitoring of recording sessions. To get the most out of your listening experience at home, you should setup up your own multi-channel music system with the following ITU guidelines:
diagram courtesy of Telarc
Left and right main speakers: should be placed to form an equilateral triangle with the primary listening position. In other words, the distance between the listener and each of the speakers, and the distance between the left and right speakers themselves should be equal. All angles inside the triangle should be 60 degrees.
Center Channel speaker: should be placed directly in front of the primary listening location, and at the same distance as from the left/right main speakers to the primary listening position. The center and left and right main speakers should sweep out an arc with the center situated at the primary listening location. For home setups doubling as a home theater system, the center channel will be placed above or below the TV.
Surround speakers: should also be placed at the same distance from the primary listening position as the front speakers, but at 110 degrees measured from the location of the front speaker.
Loudspeaker type: all loudspeakers, including those for the surround channels, should be front-firing (uni-directional) loudspeakers (also known as direct radiating).
Most recording studios will stay fairly close to the setup described above for monitoring of multi-channel recordings, but slight deviations from this guidance will occur due to certain constraints in the studio monitoring room. Likewise, your own listening room will impose some real-world constraints, resulting in some compromises. Home theater enthusiasts will recognize that this setup contradicts what Dolby Laboratories says for the surround speakers. While that is true, you will have to ask yourself what is more important to you: home theater of multi-channel music. And as with all things regarding acoustics, experiment and see what is best for your situation. TimeForDVD.com's reference home theater is currently very close to this ITU loudspeaker setup. This configuration works well for us for with Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks, and particularly with the THX Surround EX and DTS-ES soundtracks using our A/V receiver's "virtual 6.1" mode.
For more information, read:
Telarc's description of ITU speaker placement for multi-channel music
Dolby Laboratories guidance for home theater speaker placement
Acknowledgement: ITU
loudspeaker setup diagram is courtesy of Telarc
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