Where to place the speakers

Overview

The goal of speaker placement is simple: make speech clear and evenly heard from every seat.

Even coverage matters more than volume. With good coverage, speech stays clear at normal listening levels.

—————————————————————————————————————————

Start with the essentials 

Prioritise coverage, not loudness

If you feel the need to turn it up, the room usually needs better coverage, not more volume. Evenly distributed sound:

• Improves intelligibility

• Reduces listener fatigue

• Keeps audio consistent across the room

Know where sound actually needs to go

You don't need perfect wall-to-wall coverage. Focus on:

• Seating areas

• Presentation zones

• Wherever people listen and speak

Unused corners don't need speakers.

Match the speaker type to the ceiling height

Choose the speaker that brings sound closest to listeners, not the one with the most power.

• RoomDesign Ceiling: best for 2.4 to 3 m (8 to 10 ft) ceilings

• RoomDesign Pendant: best for tall or open ceilings

• RoomDesign Surface: best when ceiling mounting isn't possible, or when you want front-focused sound

Keep all speakers on the same level

Use one speaker type per room wherever possible. Mixing ceiling, pendant, and surface speakers leads to uneven sound and unpredictable results.

Tip: Use Pleneo Planner to plan speaker placement for your room. 

—————————————————————————————————————————

Room-by-room speaker placement 

These are the most predictable layouts for clear, professional sound using RoomDesign speakers.

Medium meeting room (10 to 16 seats, single table) — Ceiling or Surface

• Use four RoomDesign Ceiling speakers, arranged in a square covering the table

• With RoomDesign Surface speakers, mount two speakers left and right on the front wall, high and angled slightly downward

Large meeting room (16 to 24 seats, long table) — Ceiling, Surface, or Pendant for high ceilings

• Install two rows of speakers running the length of the table

• Keep spacing consistent

• In tall rooms, use RoomDesign Pendant in the same pattern

Boardroom (wide or boat-shaped table) — Ceiling or Pendant

• Use four RoomDesign Ceiling speakers, arranged in a square covering the table

• For wide tables, use two parallel rows

• In high ceilings, use RoomDesign Pendant to bring sound closer

Training room, U-shape (participants face inward toward the instructor) — Ceiling, Pendant, or Surface

• Place four RoomDesign Ceiling speakers above the open centre of the U

• Optionally bias slightly toward the instructor

• For Surface speakers, mount front-left and front-right

Training room, classroom style (rows facing the front) — Ceiling or Pendant

• Install six RoomDesign Ceiling speakers, spaced evenly front to back

• Use the same pattern for RoomDesign Pendant in tall rooms

Auditorium (tiered seating, single presenter) — Surface or Pendant

• Use RoomDesign Surface speakers left and right of the stage for directional sound

• In tall rooms, RoomDesign Pendant works better

Note: ceiling speakers are generally not recommended here, because of the height and distance.

—————————————————————————————————————————

In summary 

Speaker placement is about coverage, not volume:

• Put sound where people sit

• Keep spacing even and symmetrical

• Match the speaker type to the ceiling height

With good placement, audio stays clear and consistent at every seat.