5.1 speaker placement (PC)
 

I know this isn;t related to DV but you guys are so helpful for everything else I thought I would give it a shot. I just got a set of 5.1 speakers for my PC and was wondering what the best placement for them was. Should they be above my head and farther apart, or on my desk in front of me alot closer together? Same goes for the ones behind me, above my head or right behind my head? How far apart? They are the Creative labs P5800. They can;t really be angled on the walls so keep in mind the ones behind me will have to face forward. Thanks.

The creative lab speakers work well as a computer speaker but won't be worth much as a monitor for DV audio.

Standard placement for 5.1 would be the front and center at ear level and the right and left rear at ear level or slightly above ear and pointed down.

In your case if you could place them at ear level at the side. Either that or just run the left , right and center.

Clint,
2 things, as Bryan mentioned, for monitoring DVDs and such, these small speaks will be great, but placement isn't so critical since it's monitoring prerecorded, compressed dynamics. So, place as Bryan mentioned.
For authoring 5.1, you'll need to have them more specifically placed. Here is a good article with images and measurements.
These little speaks won't do much good for authoring though, beware trying to master with them.
You might also look into "Instant Surround" from VASST/CMP Books.
www.cmpbooks.com

ok I gave these back and got another set due to limitations of mounting. But I still am looking for direction as far as where to put the speakers. I ones on my desk I have set. It's the two that go behind I'm not sure about. Should they go directly behind me head but a bit farther from me, or on the sides above me but a bit closer to me??? That's what I am looking for.

THanks.

It sounds as though you still have the same speaker setup so there would be no difference in the setup. Front left, right and center, right and left rear and a sub. Am I missing something?