Question: How Do I Properly Position my Surround Speakers?
The way your PSB surround speakers are positioned will determine the sonic realism of movies and multi-channel audio.
Most surround sound is meant to create greater depth and overall ambiance, rather than localize effects that are coming from a particular spot. You can locate and aim your surround speakers to produce the effects you prefer whether precisely pinpointed or pleasantly diffused. Although some people prefer to have their surround speakers behind them on stands at ear height, most find it easiest and best to mount compact monitors on the walls, at least two feet above your ear height when you are seated.
If your listening room is small, aiming the speakers to diffuse their sound somewhat may produce the best overall surround illusion. They can be mounted, for instance, on the sidewalls and aimed to bounce sound off the rear walls, or vice versa. If you opt for localization of sound from the surrounds, the speakers should face your listening spot, aimed at or slightly above your seated position. Speakers mounted on the sidewalls will generally sound best when placed a foot or two behind your seating area.
Try listening to the same source material (a few songs that you know how they sound) and try different speaker placements and see which one sounds the best to you.