I have an L-shaped living/dining room area for which I'd like to set
up my stereo speaker system.  What is the "ideal" placement for
speakers in this configuration?  My only limitation is that the
upper-end of the vertical part of the'L' is a fireplace wall against
which I cannot place speakers.

Can you direct to resources or -- ideally -- speaker layout plans for
such a configuration?

Hi prpro,

As you might imagine, there are indeed correct placements for
speakers. Yahoo shop's has a page devoted to layout of stereo and
surround sound speakers at:
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/htd/roomlayout.html

Basically, that site recommends that, "...the speakers [should be
placed] at a 45 degree angle to mimic the conditions set by the mixer
at the film studio. For many rooms, the combination of the screen
placement rule with this 45 degree rule means spreading the front left
and front right speakers as far apart as the room will allow."

Another site I've found offers some HOW-TO advice on stereo speaker
placement and also on alternative speaker layout.
http://www.hometime.com/Howto/projects/theater/thtr_5.htm#layout

Rear speakers should idealy be placed, "...2'-3' above the viewing
area and directly to either side of it."

Both sites have some graphics that show how to layout speakers for
your listening enjoyment. One issue that you may encounter is that
given the layout of the room, you may need to purchase speaker-stands
for the rear speakers (and have them sit behind the sofa on the floor
(raised up by the speaker stands of course). Therefore, you will most
likely have to have either wires running along/under the baseboards,
or, consider drilling a hole and running the wires under the floor
(through the basement ceiling if that is possible in your home).

Another possibility for the rear-speaker wires is to place the wires
under the carpet (if applicable) or, use a small plastic wire-guide
(available at most Home Repair and Improvement stores).

I hope this helps in your quest for the perfect speaker layout. If you
require any clarification to this answer, please feel free to ask
prior to rating this answer.

Thanks again for using Google Answers!

Search terms used:

speaker layout room
stereo speaker ideal layout

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Request for Answer Clarification by prpro-ga on 13 Nov 2002 09:57 PST

Legolas, I'm sorry, but didn't read everything through completely. 
This is good info for home theater systems, but what about ordinary
speaker layout, such as for a stereo system? Can you help with
something more specific?

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Clarification of Answer by legolas-ga on 13 Nov 2002 10:03 PST

Just use the first part of the answer: that is, make the front
speakers about 45 Degrees from the listening area: and as far apart
from each other as possible.
 
Hope this helps! 
 
Thanks for the positive feedback!

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Request for Answer Clarification by prpro-ga on 14 Nov 2002 14:07 PST

Thanks, vinods!  I tell y'all, I really appreciate how kind everyone
is on this system to help each other out with good advice.

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Clarification of Answer by legolas-ga on 14 Nov 2002 14:19 PST

Thanks so much for using Google Answers! And, thanks so much for the
kind words! It's *always* appreciated!

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Clarification of Answer by legolas-ga on 22 Nov 2002 18:22 PST

Thanks for the 5-stars! I'm just glad I could be of help!

Excellent answer!  Thanks for being so quick and clear -- I really needed this help!

Just use the first part of the answer: that is, make the front
speakers about 45 Degrees from the listening area: and as far apart
from each other as possible.

Hope this helps!

Thanks for the positive feedback!

It completely depends on what is your seating position. The best
configuration is an equilateral triangle between yourself and the two
speakers. Also, take care to palce the speakers well away from
corners, this will avoid unnecessary and artificial bass booming from
multiple reflections off the walls. Also, the speakers should be at
about head level.

warm regards
vinods-ga

There is really no need to turn the speakers away or closer to your
listening position. The 45 degree idea is not so good. Stereo images
work on the principle that you are positioned head-on in front of
speakers and turning them to 45 degrees will muddle the actual stereo
image at the listening position.

regards
vinods-ga