Well, I took the plunge and ordered my 5.1 system as described in this post.

 

A/V Receiver: Outlaw 1070

DVD Player: Oppo DV-970HD

TV: Sony KD-XBR970

Speakers: front: 532-LR, center: 533-VAC, surround, 422-LR, Sub: S-8

Remote: Harmony 880

Everything else: nearly a thousand bucks worth of interconnects stands, antennas, power conditioners. (Psychotherapy not included)

This is all fitting into a very small space with the viewing position just 85" from the screen.

The surround speakers will be placed a bit further back than shown in the picture. The big question for me is how high the surrounds should be mounted. For movies, I know various sites recommend they be placed anywhere from 1 to 4 feet above the ear, but for music, it is suggested that all speakers be placed at ear level.

Since one of my prerequisites for this system is good stereo sound and SACD and DVD-A capability, I am inclined to stay with the ear level placement. How much would this alter the movie experience? Surround sound is important to many of the movies I'd be viewing, and I'd be prepared reluctantly to apply my engineering skills to providing a variable height mount for the surrounds.

I realize that in the end, I'm just going to have to experiment and decide for myself, but I'd like to hear about your experiences and opinions.

I would recommend approximately 2 feet above ear level. You will get a well enveloping sound in both formats. Point the rears directly forward to avoid directional sound in 5.1. This will not drastically hinder your stereo listening requirements, especially since the 422s are a bit smaller than your fronts anyway.

Thanks Dane,

I expected as much. Unfortunately that puts the right surround in a window. I figured I might have to create a solution in the wood shop and that seems to be the case.

Be sure to post up some pics once you've assembled a solution!

It looks as if my speakers are going to be here (today), well before the receiver (Outlaw hasn't even shipped yet), so I will have time to experiment with mounting.

So here is a follow up question. How rigid do you reckon a wall mount should be? I have sketched out a rather elegant looking sliding car that would slide on a one inch hardwood dowel, but I fear that would be a bit too springy at audio frequencies. Perhaps a slab of a denser material is needed.

 

As rigid as you can make. The 422s won't be too overwhelming, but there are a lot of audiophiles out there that fill their bookshelf stands with fine-grain sand to keep resonance from running through the stand. The sturdier the better. And sorry for the late followup! Hope you got things figured out okay!