Expert: Peter G. Lee - 12/7/2006

Question
Hey Peter, what are your thoughts on speakers mounted in the ceiling?

Doug
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Hi Peter, I'm finishing my basement and would like to rewire for surround sound etc.  I'd like to possible hook up my TV to separate speakers say in the ceiling etc. Is it best to have the TV and Stereo together and speakers say in the ceiling?  I don't quit know where to run my wiring and I'd like to get started on this because it's hanging me up.  Also is there any particular wiring for audio I should use?  Thanx for any help or additional ideas.

-----Answer-----
Hi Doug,
Not quite sure how it got into the auto audio category but I am a bit of a home cinema buff and do know a bit about it. (Samsung 47" rear projector, Samsung Home cinema DVD system with Dolby 5:1, Samsung VCR and Pace satellite and Digital terrestrial system).
The best way is to run all systems through a home cinema system (DVD) unit, RCA lead from each unit (TV, Stereo, VCR, TDT etc, to the home cinema system and then you select which 'input' goes out to the speakers.
21 pin scart leads from the DVD, VCR, TDT and HCU go to either the TV if you have enough scart sockets in the back of it or to a four way scart block and then to the TV, you have to switch on each unit to use the single scart in the tv.and off to allow another to use the scart.
In a 5:1 system these should be at ear level, front and rear, usually about 6 to 9 feet apart and about the same at the rear with the woofer/base in the center or as close to as possible (mine is just along side the 47" projector tv).

Answer
Not too good, each speaker really needs an enclosure of it's own to avoid sounding muffled, also as speakers are directional you will not get a clear definition regards direction, O.K. in the kitchen or (waterproof ones) in the bathroom. I have a pair in the kitchen 6' apart bit it's just for 'musake' background stuff, seems daft to spend time and money on a decent system and then blow it all on poor speaker placement. At Disneyland they have speaker in domes and you can only hear them when directly underneath, gives you an idea where I'm saying. If you want that helicopter to circle around the room then stick to ear level.