Will 5.1 work in this room layout?

[FRG0]

I'm at bare walls stage in the lounge with the first fix done for the lighting and power, I've also chased in two speaker pairs from the rear of the TV up into the loft (bungalow). My plan is to get a 5.1 setup using two ceiling speakers somewhere over the sofa (the one opposite the TV). Is it worth it or would I be better off just getting a sound bar? Do I need to put in more speaker cable and have another pair of ceiling speaker somewhere?

[Nobody nowhere]

Where would the fronts go? It is an unconventional set up. Would it possible to move the tv to where the sofa is? Might make for a better sound, spatially.

[JEA1K]

In this set up, I would use a sound bar and sub and forget surround speakers.

[FRG0]

Nobody nowhere said:

Where would the fronts go? It is an unconventional set up. Would it possible to move the tv to where the sofa is? Might make for a better sound, spatially.

Either side of the TV was the idea?? We have tried the TV on every wall over the last 18 months and it just works best there, we aren't sat with our backs to the garden and it's not blasted with sunlight (if we get any) all day long.

[FRG0]

JEA1K said:

In this set up, I would use a sound bar and sub and forget surround speakers.

Thanks. I suppose I could always divert the already installed cables to the soffit and have some outdoor speakers, that'd please the wife no end.

[Red 5]

FRG0 said:

Either side of the TV was the idea?? We have tried the TV on every wall over the last 18 months and it just works best there, we aren't sat with our backs to the garden and it's not blasted with sunlight (if we get any) all day long.

If I was to specify a 5.1 system for that room, I would use a cantelever wall mount for the TV for viewing angle flexibility.
I’d hand an LCR on the bottom of the TV, so it turns with the screen.

These come in a wide variety of sizes and prices.
The Monitor Audio SB3 is a good starting point, at £599.

The rear speakers in ceiling will work fine.

As long as the cabinet can house an AV amp and you have considered sub location, then you should be impressed with the results.

No ‘Soundbar’ can produce results of the same quality!

[Nobody nowhere]

FRG0 said:

Nobody nowhere said:

Where would the fronts go? It is an unconventional set up. Would it possible to move the tv to where the sofa is? Might make for a better sound, spatially.

Either side of the TV was the idea?? We have tried the TV on every wall over the last 18 months and it just works best there, we aren't sat with our backs to the garden and it's not blasted with sunlight (if we get any) all day long.

Fair enough. The sound bar option mentioned above is probably your best bet if your heart isn’t too set on a proper 5.1 set up. I had a similar issue when I bought my house. The ( what was meant to be) cinema room had a door in the middle of the wall. In the wince we had other renovations taking place before we moved, I had the door moved to a corner of the room so I could hang the tv where the door used to be.

[normalbloke]

I’d reverse the room, and have the table by the patio doors ( better in the summer) turn the sofa 180 degrees, and have the TV on the wall opposite the patio doors. But then I’m often unconventional....

[hornmeister]

If you have an AV amplifier (or want a better set-up than a soundbar) then a small sub/satellite system might work for you?

I purchased one of these for a back room and for the money and the size of speakers I think it's bloody good value.
Speakers are small enough to be wall mounted out of the way.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canton-Movie-Surround-Sou...

Edited by hornmeister on Monday 12th August 16:06

[MintyScot]

I have a similar situation where my tv is in the corner and my couches are similarly placed. I opted to sacrifice the 2nd couch and focus on the main couch in front of the tv.

Again because of the inability to properly position front speakers I went for a soundbar plus rear speakers.

Sony HT-ZF9 soundbar
Sony SA-Z9R speakers

The sound bar is 3.1 and with the speakers its a simulated 5.1. Also its dolby atmos so attempts to simulate under and overhead sounds.

For what it is I like it.