There are speakers for many outputs and their placement differs slightly depending on the purpose of use
Placement of two speakers
When using two speakers, the best way to place the speakers is so that the primary listening position and both speakers form an equilateral triangle, or so that the distance between the speakers is slightly shorter than the distance from the listening position to the speakers. This creates a stereo image, which means that the sound seems to come from the middle of the speakers and not so much from the speakers themselves. For example, the vocal soloist seems to be standing in the middle of the speakers. It is usually not recommended to place the speaker in the very corner of the room, because then the first reflection of the speaker in the corner comes from the adjacent wall, which causes ambiguity in the sound.
Home theater layout
In a home theater, the main speakers are placed in the same way as in stereo listening, and the center speaker is placed on the center line of the image (television or screen), usually below, but sometimes also above. The rear speakers (in a 5.1 system) are usually placed slightly back from the listening position. The AV amplifier calculates the delays for all speakers according to the distances. Many AV amplifiers have automatic calibration with a microphone for this.
Speaker placement height
The optimal height of the speakers is the one at which the tweeter elements of the speakers are at ear height when sitting. This is because high-pitched sounds are directional, meaning the ear can sense where the high-pitched sound is coming from. The incoming direction of low frequencies cannot be sensed so accurately.
Placement of large speakers
Larger speakers should usually be placed so that they are somewhat detached from the back wall. This is because low frequencies can be rubbery if the speakers are too close to the wall. However, this matter is affected by the shapes and materials of the room. Smaller speakers can often be placed right next to the wall or on the wall. The weaker bass reproduction of smaller speakers is therefore supported by the wall behind.
Subwoofer placement
The placement of the subwoofer in stereo equipment or in a multi-channel system is quite free, because the low frequencies do not directional, so the subwoofer is not located so easily. However, if you want to file the system on top of the last one, you have to search for the place of the subwoofer by trying different places in the room. This is due to the fact that low frequencies are emphasized in some parts of the room (when waves of the same frequency in the same phase meet) and in other parts of the room they are attenuated (when waves of the same frequency different in phase meet). Most subwoofers have a phase control. The basic principle for finding the correct phase is that the phase adjustment is correct when the subwoofer sounds the loudest.
Ultimately, the right placement of the speakers can be found by listening - acoustically, the right place is where the speakers sound best.
If something left you wondering, Audiokauppa's experts are at your service!