Actually I'm not using a subwoofer, so it is really a 5.0 system, right? So far I'm happy with the loudness. I feel that my floor stand works pretty well. Casual listening is at -35db and if I blast it it will be at -25db. YPAO did add 2.5/1.5db to my surround.

Though I did notice that if placed closer, the sound is more distinct and easier to pin point. Not sure if that is a good or bad attribute.

Currently the sound coming from surround sound pretty neutral, as in evenly distributed, so it does not sound overly discrete.
But seriously, how many title comes out in a year that is worth watching where surround matters.
The rest of the time is either mostly listening to music daily or watching TV.
Thanks for having me.
When you say put to the side or rear do you mean physically, change channel (from surround to surround back) or both?

If you just shift the speakers for the surround channel further back, will YPAO/DSP know about it and makes adjustments accordingly? I don't want sound that is meant for the side to come out from the rear because it was placed too further back.
For the speaker size, I was actually referring the small/large size terms used in the AVR setup. Full range (or not full range) speakers, I think. Sorry for that. So the question is really whether full range speakers have a big impact when used for surround. Agree that the physical speaker/enclosure size don't matter when looking at performance rather than the design is more important.

Ya, looking for accurate setup can only be done by actually testing it. I was looking more for a rule-of-thumb/general setup advice based on the experience you guys have on what will or will not work and what matter and does not matters. Otherwise I would not know where to start and what to try. Just like how an experienced wire-man can tell roughly what wire size to use without calculating.
Hold on, you almost lost me with all the 3rd .number. Had to google those ceiling speakers, but I got your point.

Anyway I have my system setup in my living room, about 4.3m width x 5.9m x 3m high plaster ceiling. On my right-top half is solid brick/cement wall and the right-bottom half is open and connects to the dinning room. My listening position is in the center so I have about 3m of space behind me.

Not much in terms of furniture, bare walls and 3+2 sofa distributed on the left and right.

Thanks for all your feedback.

So I guess I'll just stick with 5.0 for now, only thing left to figure out is the surround speaker position.

For the speaker size, I was actually referring the small/large size terms used in the AVR setup. Full range (or not full range) speakers, I think. Sorry for that. So the question is really whether full range speakers have a big impact when used for surround. Agree that the physical speaker/enclosure size don't matter when looking at performance rather than the design is more important.

Ya, looking for accurate setup can only be done by actually testing it. I was looking more for a rule-of-thumb/general setup advice based on the experience you guys have on what will or will not work and what matter and does not matters. Otherwise I would not know where to start and what to try. Just like how an experienced wire-man can tell roughly what wire size to use without calculating.
Hold on, you almost lost me with all the 3rd .number. Had to google those ceiling speakers, but I got your point.

Anyway I have my system setup in my living room, about 4.3m width x 5.9m x 3m high plaster ceiling. On my right-

Surrounds shouldn't actually sound discrete, it shouldn't stand out more than your LCR unless the mix calls for it. But in most situations, the surrounds are there to provide an extension of the soundstage made by the mains, but NOT actually creating a soundstage of its own.

Don't fall into the same mistake where many new 5, 7 or however many channels owners do: raise the surround levels higher than the mains just because they thought they spent money on them and they should hear them as discrete sources. Then they come back and complain the whole soundstage sounds uncohesive and the whole fronts sound smeared or muffled.

This applies for games too btw, even competitive FPS ones. It doesn't mean hearing someone behind you louder is better, you then just lose details of those at the side or infront of you.

Surrounds shouldn't actually sound discrete, it shouldn't stand out more than your LCR unless the mix calls for it. But in most situations, the surrounds are there to provide an extension of the soundstage made by the mains, but NOT actually creating a soundstage of its own.

Don't fall into the same mistake where many new 5, 7 or however many channels owners do: raise the surround levels higher than the mains just because they thought they spent money on them and they should hear them as discrete sources. Then they come back and complain the whole soundstage sounds uncohesive and the whole fronts sound smeared or muffled.

This applies for games too btw, even competitive FPS ones. It doesn't mean hearing someone behind you louder is better, you then just lose details of those at the side or infront of you.

I think I understand what you are trying to say. When I'm listening to music, setting to straight decode will result in distinct separation between the LR channels leaving a hole in the middle. If set to 2 ch Stereo the LR channels blends smoothly.

Now the burning question is the positioning of the LR surround. The thing is it is kind of difficult to know if I'm putting it to far back. The front is easier to judge since you have visual queues. I remember that when I bought the Creative Live! sound card, it came with a demo with various sound circling your head together with a visual positioning of the sound. Unfortunately no such thing here. Its kind of like trying to tell a color-blind person the color of red. If I haven't heard it before, how do I know if it is right or wrong unless of course it is totally screwed. It would requires watching numerous titles with the right scenes with the right effect, which I don't have for now.

Any pointers there? Any suitable demo that I can download. Also does YPAO takes position into account? I think it would be impossible since it only takes single point reading so it can only figure out the distance.

I think I understand what you are trying to say. When I'm listening to music, setting to straight decode will result in distinct separation between the LR channels leaving a hole in the middle. If set to 2 ch Stereo the LR channels blends smoothly.

Now the burning question is the positioning of the LR surround. The thing is it is kind of difficult to know if I'm putting it to far back. The front is easier to judge since you have visual queues. I remember that when I bought the Creative Live! sound card, it came with a demo with various sound circling your head together with a visual positioning of the sound. Unfortunately no such thing here. Its kind of like trying to tell a color-blind person the color of red. If I haven't heard it before, how do I know if it is right or wrong unless of course it is totally screwed. It would requires watching numerous titles with the right scenes with the right effect, which I don't have for now.

Any pointers there? Any suitable demo that I can download. Also does YPAO takes position into account? I think it would be impossible since it only takes single point reading so it can only figure out the distance.

How far your surrounds are depends entirely on the type of speaker and your room conditions. Typically it should be near equidistant to your front LR, but that's just a very general rule. Plenty of surround setup articles around the net that further explain how to place your speakers, check them out.

You don't need that faux audio demo by Creative because that will give you a wrong perception of the appropriate SPL and delay (distance). There is a pink noise test tone in the v679, use that instead.

The whole reason for YPAO is to take positioning of the speakers, room acoustics and seating position into account. Otherwise there's zero reason for YPAO to exist nor any other auto-PEQ calibrator to continue business.

Yes one point measurement will be inaccurate if your listening area is awkward or your room acoustics is poor.

before i forget, always use surround LR in 5.1 no matter u install beside or behind (can do that)
the surround back LR only activate in 7.1

try to make an equal length triangle between primary seat, left & right spkr.
they shouldn't make a hole in middle unless spkr too far away or toe in (angled inside) too much. usually i let spk face front without toe if no big object /wall beside.
run a quick ypao to get latest distance & db.
the ideal ypao is minimal difference for front channel level & distance

after u settle front, change to all ch stereo, play a normal voice song.
reduce front LR spk level db to minimum but remember ori value
now turn urself backward, move urself in horizontal line while listen which position has the most balance surround left vs right.
if u are standing near surround left spkr, increase its db 1 or 2.
so the balance position shift to center.
if near surround right, do the same. or reduce the boost u added just now.

once again the rear middle hole will be fill with voice.
restore front ori db as before. use test tone in yamaha manual spk setup to balance out front vs rear using ear or spl meter /phone app.

demo got a lot ah. see demo-world.eu under 2d trailer hd section.
dolby, dts & thx made are good to begin with

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure to try it.
My LR speakers is actually toe in from the start as recommended by the speakers manual, although the degree of toe is not mentioned. Currently it is pointing directly to the sides of my ears. How would I know if I'm toeing too much or too little? What do I listen for?
Currently my front and surround distance is pretty equal and balanced. Based on my previous memory, listening to music with all speakers on produces a 360 effect. And when moving around the room, the sound is pretty balanced until I'm really close to one of the speaker before it becomes obvious to its sound output.

Last night I tried re-positioning my surround from the back to the sides. It sounded pretty terrible as I become too aware of the sounds coming from the sides. Also the back area seem to be void of sound. Probably because I have a large back space and putting the surround to the sides also reduces/imbalance reflection from the walls since my right-side is an open area for the left surround. Putting the surround to the back and pointing towards the listening position works much better providing a wider 360 experience. Although it is about 40-45 degrees behind, it sounds more like 20 degrees.

I have never used the test tone before. Can you tell me what to listen for? As in if the sound is coming from the left or the back what should I be expecting? I would imagine that when the tone is output from all channels that the tone should be balanced in the center. As for individual tone, I have no idea.

Directly to the sides? It usually does sound bad because this position is usually too distinctive (this is also why you have a hole on the back). Poor tweeter design will also make everything sound very artificial and harsh. Direct side positions should only be used for dipole/bipole speakers and even then they need to be about 3ft at least higher than the MLP.

The idea surround location for monopole (which are satellites or bookshelves) is about 2ft. behind (or more, depending on the size of the room of course), 20-30 degrees angled. Alternatively, you can just place the surround speakers directly at the back.

For reference, this is my secondary bedroom setup:


So you see, even with a bed right next to my couch, I managed to have a cohesive soundstage just with some logical  adjustments despite the setup not being "correct" or "optimized".
My LR speakers on this may look more toed-in than it seems, but it's just the angle of the picture btw.

congrats bro. welcome to.yamaha

thanks bro. Just hooked up my Onkyo speakers to it.
can recommend where to get reasonable price for cables?
need longer cables as need to relocate my speakers 

Yup, SVS Sats + SB1000. Pretty much perfect match for my 2nd bedroom.

What you using for main system ?