7.1 Side Surrounds with Two Rows of Seating?

[Samurai Jack]

What's recommended in a 7.1 setup in terms of side-surround placement when you have two rows of seating? (I plan to buy CBM-340 L/R/C and HTM-200 surrounds...I have a pair of STF-2 subs). My listening space is about 10' x 18' (yes, it's narrow with walls pretty much immediately bounding the sides of the seating).

As I understand it, the sides go directly to the left and right of the "sweet spot."

So what do I do:

(a) Sides placed in line with the 1st row (1st row sweet spot)

(b) Sides placed in line with the 2nd row (2nd row sweet spot)

(c) Sides places in between the rows (shared no-man's land sweet spot)

(d) Two sets of side surrounds, one for each row


(a) and (b) seem like it's always going to be somewhat lousy for someone, though (b) seems to make more sense since it'd be better if someone got stuck with the sides a bit behind them rather than in front!

(c) sounds like it's always going to be lousy for everyone.

(d) sounds overly complex and expensive for my small (and narrow) 10' x 18' listening space (which also makes it temptingly nerdy and eccentric).

So what do people generally do with this? Mounted high enough, I guess (b) is what you'd generally do, yes? Any other advice on what'll sound good? Thanks!