How to set up 170 surrounds on a stand?

[sygyzy]

Ordering Ascends tomorrow.

Now here is the complicated final part of my setup. I need my rears to be ear level plus 2-3' from what I've read. I have a sofa that faces the display. I also have two end tables on each side. There is some space behind the sofa but not too much since that's where my dining table sits. The end tables are really short, like 17". So what is the best way for me to mount the speakers? If I place them on the end tables alone, half of the surrounds will be blocked by the arm rests of the sofa.

I can place them on stands and squeeze them between the sofa and end tables, which would place them closer to the rear corners of the sofa. That would be a floor stand and it'd have to be pretty secure to support the weight. The downside is that it's more susceptible to getting knocked over as people walk by.

Another solution would be to get small (short) stands that sit on top of the end tables. This could work since the end tables are pretty wide. They should have enough room for both the speaker (stands) plus one lamp on each table.

Also, the surrounds have mounts that can be used to secure them to wall mounting brackets. Do they make free standing (non wall mount) brackets that have the same hole configuration? That way I can get a speaker stand that securely attaches to the speakers. I don't feel comfortable just placing them on top of a stand.

Any help would be appreciated.

[curtis]

in my Parents's setup, they are using stands like these for the surrounds. They seem to be working quite well and sturdy.

I think my Dad got them off of eBay.

http://www.racksandstands.com/prods/...1/0PVI1050.htm

[sygyzy]

And they don't fall over? How do they attach to the speakers?

[curtis]

The speaker platform clamps on the the bottom of the speaker.

Not the most attractive...but they work.

[MikeAndAnnie]

I can place them on stands and squeeze them between the sofa and end tables, which would place them closer to the rear corners of the sofa. That would be a floor stand and it'd have to be pretty secure to support the weight. The downside is that it's more susceptible to getting knocked over as people walk by.

If they are between the sofa and end tables, what are the odds of someone knocking them over? Our sofa is against a wall, so the CBMs have the end table on one side, the sofa on the other, and the wall on another. Folks can't get to them to knock them down.

I use the same type of stand as Curtis' parents, and use blue tack to help secure the CBMs to the stand. If you go this way, I strongly suggest you also get some hose clamps to keep the upper rod of the stand in place -don't trust the set screws to do this! This works pretty good, but again, the stands are not near any traffic paths. Probably would do a wall mount in that case.
- Mike

Hose clamps:
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...339-home_depot

[sygyzy]

Hi MikeAndAnnie - Your link to HD didn't work. I suspect that they don't save searches across sessions. No problem. I know what hose clamps are. Can you remove them though?

I have attached an image so you can see wehat I am talking about regarding the speakers. They would not exactly be in between the end tables and the sofa. They'd be in a corner. Behind the sofa you have the dining area which people will need to get to in order to eat. Also there is a sliding glass door which allows access to the balcony.

Hmm looks like attachments do not work....
Click for image

[BGHD]

Can't wall mount L & R of the couch?

[sygyzy]

Are you asking me if I can wall mount the surrounds ONTO the sofa?

Or just wall mount in general? Wall mount is not an option.

[jeh]

looks like you'll have to try those stands that were mentioned.

[Kurt C.]

Now here is the complicated final part of my setup. I need my rears to be ear level plus 2-3' from what I've read.

I've heard a variety of reasons for why surrounds are best placed 2-3' above ear level, but I'm wondering if this isn't outdated advice. It originated from Dolby Prologic and THX, where the prevailing logic held that it was the best way to make the rear channel sound diffuse and be hard to localize. Keep in mind that it was a single rear channel and was supposed to come from two dipole speakers.

Now we're talking about have two (or more) discreet surround channels coming from direct radiating Ascend speakers. I wonder if it isn't better to use the setup currently recommended for multichannel music ie with the L/R surrounds at ear level, to the side and slightly behind the listener. I read an informal test where most listeners preferred direct over dipoles in a 5.1 setup.

I think Nick Mosher does this. Any comments on how well it works for movies Nick?
here