How Proper Furniture Placement Can Improve Hi-Fi Sound Quality

View of Home Theater set up with Wireless Speaker Kit

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Having the best hi-fi sound equipment is one thing, but no matter how much you spend and how much you try to position it correctly, without proper placement of your furniture, you simply won’t be able to get the sound quality you may be looking for.

As I previously discussed, room aesthetics is a very important element when looking to make the most out of your hi-fi speaker system. I had to learn this the hard way.

When I first set up a hi-fi sound system in my new house, I placed the speakers on either side of my television. I thought this would be the best way to get “surround sound” and have a more immersive experience when watching movies. However, what I ended up with was a lot of muddled sounds that were bouncing off the walls and getting lost in the room.

After doing some research, I learned that the best way to place speakers is actually at a 45-degree angle from my listening position. This would, in theory, allow the sound to travel directly to my ears before bouncing around the room and getting lost.

However, there was yet another problem; 45 degrees in which direction? I tried a few different angles and finally settled on what sounded best to me. But it wasn’t until I moved my furniture around that I realized that the problem wasn’t the speaker system but the furniture placement itself!

For example, by moving my couch closer to the speakers and angling them just right, I was finally able to get the full effect of my hi-fi sound system.

The sound was clearer and more immersive than it had ever been before. I could actually feel the bass vibrating through the couch and minute instrumental details – and it completely changed my experience.

In this article, I will help you understand the dos and don’ts of furniture placement for the best hi-fi sound quality, why your room may not be cutting it, and more.

SVS Subwoofer face on with grille off
SVS Subwoofer under a shelf – good placement?

Importance of The Room Itself for Better Sound Quality

You may have the best hi-fi sound system money can buy, but if your room isn’t set up correctly, you’re not going to get the full effect of your investment. For the best placement of your speakers and furniture, it’s important to first understand the acoustics of your room.

The size, shape, and layout of your room all play a role in how sound will travel and bounce around. For example, a smaller room will have sound bouncing off the walls more than a larger room.

This can create what’s known as “standing waves,” which are areas of increased or decreased sound pressure. These standing waves can cause certain frequencies to be amplified while others are canceled out, resulting in an uneven sound.

The Ratio of Your Room

To combat this, it’s important to understand the ratio of your room’s length to width as well as the height of your ceilings. This will give you a good starting point for placing your speakers and furniture. You want to avoid having your speakers directly in line with any of the room’s dimensions, as this can cause sound issues.

When I bought my first-ever hi-fi sound system (and a few more after that, in fact), I had NO idea about the importance of room acoustics and how it would play into getting the best sound quality. I just plopped the speakers down in whatever spot seemed convenient at the time and called it a day. As you can probably imagine, the sound wasn’t great.

Fed up and defeated, I set the speakers aside in another room (my brother’s) until I could find someone to buy them off and crush my audiophile dreams. However, out of sheer luck, my brother decided to try the system in his own room (without even asking – the nerve!).

To my surprise, it sounded fantastic! At that moment, I realized that the room itself plays just as big of a role in sound quality as the speakers do.

Now, I’m not saying that you need to have a dedicated home theater or recording studio in order to get great sound. But if you want to get the most out of your hi-fi sound system, it’s important to understand how your room affects the sound and take that into account when setting everything up.

The Material

Another thing to consider is the material your walls, ceiling, and furniture are made of. Hard surfaces such as concrete, brick, tile, or wood will cause sound to bounce around more than softer surfaces like carpets, drapes, or cushioned/covered furniture. This can again lead to standing waves and uneven sound.

In general, you want to avoid having too many hard surfaces in your listening room. If your furniture is made of hard materials, you can try covering it up or putting up acoustic panels in the room to help deaden the sound.

I had a friend who owned a hi-fi sound system that cost him over $10,000. He had it set up in his basement, which was made entirely of concrete and had a bar, snooker table, and foosball in there. All of these have more hard surfaces than softer ones.

View of Home Theater set up with Wireless Speaker Kit
Image: Make Life Click

Needless to say, the sound quality was terrible. The bass was overwhelming, and the highs were completely tinny. It sounded like he was listening to music inside a metal drum.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, there are things you can do to help improve the sound.

For example, you could put rugs on the floor and hang blankets (yeah, that won’t be very aesthetic) and curtains on the walls, or go for cushioned/upholstered furniture Anything that can help soak up some of the sounds will make a big difference.

Interior Furniture Placement Tips for Better Hi-Fi Sound Quality

Based on my experience, here are some furniture placements for better room acoustics and sound quality.

The Couch

One piece of furniture that often gets overlooked is the couch. Believe it or not, where you place your couch can have a big impact on sound quality.

Ideally, you want to have your couch facing the speakers. This will help create an “imaginary triangle” between the speakers and your listening position. The sweet spot is usually about two-thirds of the way back from the speakers.

Of course, this isn’t always possible or practical. If you can’t have your couch facing the speakers, try to angle it so that it’s at least pointing in their general direction.

Another thing to consider is the height of your couch. If it’s too low, you may have trouble getting a good listening angle. On the other hand, if it’s too high, it can block the sound from reaching you. The best way to find the perfect height is to experiment and see what sounds best to you.

Coffee Table

The coffee table is another piece of furniture that can have a big impact on sound quality. Like the couch, you want to try and have it be at the same level as the tweeters. Having it any lower will mean that it will bounce the sound off upwards, while one that is too large will block the sound from reaching you.

Your Bed

The bed is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your bedroom, and it can also have a big impact on sound quality. Ideally, you want to have the headboard against a wall. This will help reflect sound waves back into the room and create a more immersive listening experience.

This is particularly true if your bed has a hard headboard (metal or wood). Mine is cushioned and therefore helps me control the sound quality better. If you can’t have the headboard against a wall, try to at least have it close to one. This will help minimize sound reflections and reduce unwanted echo.

Another thing to keep in mind is that you don’t want the bed to be too close to the speakers. Otherwise, the sound may be too direct and harsh. A good rule of thumb is to have the bed at least two feet away from the speakers.

This will ensure that the sound is well-balanced and not too overwhelming.

Furniture Placement - bedroom
Image: JumpStory

Dresser

Like the bed, you want to try and have your dresser against a wall. The mirror should be parallel to the sound-flow direction, while the surface should be the same level as the speakers – or slightly lower. This will help minimize sound reflections and direct said reflected towards you instead of sending it away.

Do’s and Don’ts of Furniture Placement for Hi-Fi Sound Quality

Here is a checklist for you to follow regarding the dos and don’ts to ensure the best possible sound quality in your home.

Do:

  • Try to have your couch, sofas, and beanbags facing the speakers.
  • Angle your couch towards the speakers if you can’t have it facing them.
  • Experiment with different heights of the speakers to find the perfect listening angle.
  • Place the coffee table in front of the couch, but not between yourself and the speakers.
  • Keep the coffee table close to the couch for a more immersive experience.
  • Make sure the bed is against a wall.
  • Place the dresser at the same level as the speakers.
  • Keep the dresser close to the bed for a more immersive experience.
  • Place the speakers at least two feet away from the bed.

Don’t:

  • Have the couch too close to the speakers.
  • Have the coffee table too big.
  • Have any furniture too close to the speakers.
  • Place the speakers in the corners of the room – preferably at a height.
  • Place your speakers directly on your carpet
  • Block the speakers with furniture.
  • Have too much furniture in the room.
  • If you have a carpet, make sure it’s not too thick. Otherwise, it will absorb too much sound.
  • If you have a hardwood floor, make sure it’s not too shiny. Otherwise, it will reflect all of the sound (yes, that’s a thing!)
  • Windows and doors can be a problem because they reflect sound. If you have a window in your room, try to cover it with a curtain. Keep your door closed when listening to music for a better “boombox” experience.

Following these simple tips will help improve the sound quality in your home. By paying attention to room acoustics and furniture placement, you can create a more enjoyable listening experience for yourself and your family.

I had to spend hours on end trying to find the perfect spot for my speakers. I would move them around the room, trying to get the best sound possible. But no matter what I did, the sound just wasn’t right.

I hope this guide helps you avoid this hassle and make informed decisions from the start. With a little bit of knowledge and effort, you can create a listening environment that is second to none!

Slava is a man of mystery and no-one seems to know exactly where he is at any point in time. When he isn't enjoying writing about all things audio and technical he can be found researching his next project of interest. The man never rests.


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