I know I'm not the only one who has wondered about this... I just got a new 32" tv and a 400-watt DVD/Surround system, and I've set it up with the "front" speaker just sitting on top of the tv. My question is, do the various electrical charges and magical radio wave fields from these two devices screw each other up? Will the speaker damage my tv's picture or will the tv's deadly radiation warp the sound from the speaker because they're touching? Or is it okay to just set the speaker up top like that?
Your biggest fear is having both components explode in the middle of the night after you've shut them off.... Oh, wait. That's Ford trucks..... I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as that center speaker is shielded. If it's not it will distort (and eventually ruin) your tv, however, if it's a center speaker for a home theater it should be sheilded, not to mention that you could tell right away by a distorted picture if it wasn't. It's the magnets in the speakers that do the damage to a normal picture tube. I have no idea how they affect (or if they affect at all) plasma or LCD screens.
The speaker, since it is a home theatre model, SHOULD be shielded. Besides, they are of a small enough size that they don't have the gigantic magnets of your old-school 70's high-fi system from your Boogie Night's era. If it were interferring with your TV, you would see radiated dicolorations from the speakers on the TV screen.
*FOLLOW-UP* If you want the best sound quality and experience, TRY and keep all of your speakers at about ear level when sitting. Fight the urge to mount way up on the celling or wall becauses the Mrs. doesn't want speakers or wires in sight--you will negate the purppose of the surrond speakers which are not as lound as your front and center channels. Just my .02, but I have sold/installed numerous systems.
Thanks for the advice, dudes. I haven't noticed any distortion on my picture so I guess it's cool. We're not talking about a huge, high-end system here so I can't see it having incredibly powerful magnets inside. Cool tip about the ear-level, woulda. Right now my speakers are at about elbow level while seated, except for the "front" speaker with is on top of the TV... think it's worth adjusting them?
Nah--you're gravy dude, as long as the speakers are closer to ear level than, lets say the celling, you will get a good level of sound. Also, play with the location of your sub--it's powered I assume? Try it behind your couch, under a table, over a hard surface or over carpet and see what gives you the best "punch" and sound quality that YOU prefer. Personally, I like a BOOMING sub in my home theatre sys.
According to Dolby's specs the best placement for front speakers in a 5.1 system is at ear level, but the surrounds should be placed above ear level.
Specs--schmecs! Yes, Mr Dolby is the originator of the genre and is an excellent resource, keep it close to ear level and you are golden
Like the previous poster said, if your speakers are shielded correctly, you should have no problem with them close to the tv. If you start seeing any color changes like a green tint in your picture, move the speakers further away.
