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How bad is it to place 5.1 rears from behind rather than on the sides?

I’m building a new setup and planned placing my 5.1 rears in-wall directly on the sides and perhaps pushing the sofa forward a bit while watching a movie. I especially wanted inwalls to avoid my youngsters messing with them and bought the Morel xbw600 two days ago for that. But renovating now, I see the only option to make them in-wall is behind me in 90 degrees (separated up to 3 meters apart).

So I’m facing a dilemma: do I place them behind or do I return them and get satellites instead that I’ll place on the sides (1.5 meters from me in each direction)? What do you smart people advise?

Illustration: https://ibb.co/86wc61J
thenoob1
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
How bad is it? ..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5pZoxH1lSI
thenoob1 OP
3 posts
 
@auxinput You raised a very good point. After your comment I now watched a couple of YouTube videos and became aware of the dipole idea. Looks like dipoles on the sides can actually be good for two reasons: the ears of those setting on one of the sides of the sofa will be in its “null” area. Second, the sounds effect will be more immersive. What do you think?

Also, I realized that my rear in-walls pose a problem on their own so I’ll return them anyway.
soix
9,591 posts
 
My friend had a setup where his surrounds were in-ceiling speakers behind the listening position and it worked really well, so that might be another placement option if the ceiling is workable.
raysmtb1's avatar
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raysmtb1
800 posts
 
I have my sorrows sitting on the floor pointing up at the ceiling behind the sofa. I had to raise the volume some but during the movie you can’t really tell where the sound is coming from anyways. I think it actually has a better effect because the sound comes from behind the furniture I’m kind of spooks you
erik_squires
16,138 posts
 
My experience is that for 5.1, the sides are the right place for them.  If you are having trouble deciding, find a cheap pair and try them out, I think it will convince you. :)
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