When it comes to home theater installation, people tend to sweat all the wrong details. Between tracking down the biggest TV, the best projector, the comfiest seats, the freshest popcorn and the classiest décor, the important components of any theater often seem to get lost in the shuffle.

One of the most predominant factors of any home theater is the sound system. But because it’s not as visible as the TV, chairs, carpet or wall paint, people tend to overlook the importance of choosing and installing a sound system. However, the sound system is one of the most important ingredients when it comes to the quality of your theater.

And, even with the right sound system, many people are unsure of how to install and place the speakers. Putting the right speakers in the right space in your theater can make all the difference between a dinky basement viewing room and a truly theatrical experience.

Check out these few simple speaker placement tips to learn how to make the most of your theater and sound system set up.

5.1 Recommendations

A 5.1 surround sound system is one of the most common types and is any set that comes with a subwoofer and five additional speakers. The receiver will have wiring for a sub, center, front left, front right, rear left and rear right speaker. The speakers themselves will have cords of varying lengths and the center speaker is sometimes larger and flatter.

For a 5.1 system, you should place the subwoofer near the TV, either behind or next to the system’s receiver. The center speaker should be placed front and center, with the front left and right speakers on either side. The size of your space will help dictate how far apart to set the speakers, but you’ll want to keep them relatively close to where you’ll be seated and angle them inward for full effect. Place the left and right rear speakers behind you, and be sure to angle them in as well.

7.1 Recommendations

A 7.1 system includes two additional speakers for a sound that is truly more surrounding. These systems typically feature the center and front left and right speakers as well as side left and right and rear left and right. With a 7.1 system, you have the luxury of having sound coming from all directions, instead of just behind and ahead. Angle the front and back speakers, but keep the middle and center speakers pointed directly at you.

Speaker Height

Depending on your theater setup and available space, you can mount your speakers on the wall or ceiling or use pedestals to give your speakers some height without having to mount them. The rule of thumb is that the sound is best when the speakers are at ear level when you’re seated. Most speaker stands and pedestals are designed to accommodate ear level while wall mounts can be placed at the appropriate height.

With these few tips, you’ll be in a good position to get the maximum out of your surround sound system. If you require hidden wiring, you might want to hire a trained specialist to do the installation in order to avoid any mix-ups or dangerous blunders. Just remember that your sound system is every bit as important as your TV; proper installation and placement will help you enjoy the system for years to come.