Diagram Definitions:

a. The main front speakers of the configuration; more often than not the main fronts would be of the highest caliber in comparison to the rest of the speakers in the system. Firstly, because they will typically see the most action in many of today's 5.1 recordings. And secondly, because, especially with quality amplification driving the main fronts, many people will appreciate music in stereo through these speakers.

b. The system's subwoofer; this is highly recommended placement for a sub, especially if it's a forward firing model: in the front of the room, aimed at the audience. In this particular setup, we've put the sub right beside the television; if this was instead a screen for a projector, centering the subwoofer beneath the screen might be optimum placement. However subwoofers only emit very low frequencies, which aren't very directional at all; this allows us a good deal of liberty when positioning them. Down-firing subwoofers offer even more liberal placement with this idea of bass frequency propagation in mind.

c. The center channel- directly on top of the television is probably the most common place for a center channel to go; either that, or directly beneath it. Either way, the center channel will almost always be centered in accordance with the visual display. If your system uses a projector, acoustically transparent screens are available so that you may place the center channel right behind the screen, leaving it completely out of sight, without diminishing the quality of sound that it provides.

d. The T.V.- this happens to be a rear projection television that we have illustrated here. There's a wide variety of displays that your system could utilize: Plasma, a standard tube television, a projector (LCD or DLP) and screen, flat panel LCD display, etc. It will ultimately be up to you to decide what would be the most appropriate for your situation.

e. Equipment rack- most systems will include a number of components that will all need some place to go. An equipment rack with at least 4 shelves is usually recommended; figuring that you'll have at least a receiver or preamp/processor and amp, a DVD player, VCR, or maybe a hard disk recorder. Your system could include far more.

f. Sound absorbers- these flat panels are usually nothing more than a foam panel within a light weight frame that's then upholstered. They do offer quite a lot in terms of dampening reflection, toning down the brightness of a space.

g. Dipolar surrounds- these trapezoidal cabinets house 2 bass/mid-range drivers, as well as 2 tweeters. This is why these speakers tend to be more expensive than a similarly sized bookshelf; because they've got twice the drivers built into them. Their design is meant to maximize the dispersion of sound in order to fill the room better. Dipolar speakers can act as the rear channels in a 5.1 configuration, though they might be better used as the true side channels in a 7.1 configuration, at which point, they'd be moved towards the front of the room.

h. Sweet spot- could be a love seat, a single seat chair, several rows of seating, etc.; wherever the audience will sit during movies. But, the term "sweet spot" actually refers to the point of optimum sonic perception. Typically, ideal placement of the main front speakers with respect to the sweet spot, would form an equilateral triangle. This just means that the distance between the two front speakers would be equal to the distance that each of them are from the sweet spot.

i. Rear effects channels- usually bookshelf speakers on stands or even bracket mounted satellites, but often times will be floorstanding speakers; whatever the speaker design, they'll most likely be placed towards the back corners of the room. In a 7.1 configuration, the rear channels will be moved in toward the center of the back wall slightly; and in a 5.1 situation, they would be spread apart from one another a bit more.

j. Barrel diffusors- similar to the flat panel absorbers (f.), these barrel diffusors feature an added geometric element to their design. The rounded shape not only gives them the name "barrel diffuser", but it also refracts sound waves with a greater rate of dispursion.