I Got Three More Inches!

[Early B.]

Hey fellas -- Take out a tape measure and do it right.

My audiophile friend came over the house yesterday to check out my system. He methodically took out a tape measure and measured the distance of each speaker from the back wall and noticed a 3 inch discrepancy. So I moved one of the speakers forward by three inches and was quite impressed because I could easily tell the difference that a meager 3 inches makes. Not surprisingly, the music was a bit more forward and a bit more balanced (due to room and speaker position, my left speaker is dominant over the right one). It was so apparent that I spent part of last night listening to my reference recordings again.

Just thought I'd share, once again, the significance of speaker positioning...

[madmax]

I thought you were serious about this audio stuff. Do you mean to tell me you don't measure everything before each listening session?!? :)
madmax

[danger boy]

but now is your sound to forward? Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

I kill myself sometimes.. :p

[dudeinaroom]

shoot, every time I sit down for a "serious" listening session I make sure my speaker are the same plane(I've got 2 boys that like to play behind them)

[RuSsMaN]

I use lasers and GPS.

[dkg999]

After taking readings of the molecular density of the particulate matter drifting through my listening space and checking on the degree of shift in the time-space continuum, I carefully load that data into the Cray Super-Computer and it calculates the exact locations of my speakers and listening position :cool: It's currently got a small positional problem as it's saying that my head has an interference fit with my ass :confused:

[pearsall001]

Early, how right you are. My speakers are placed after much trial & error & measuring. It really does pay off in the end. A few inches can make a world of difference in the sound. And to top it off I break out the lazor pen & mount it on top of the tweeter to really zero in on the sweet spot. Now that clearly puts me in the nutclass category.:)

[engtaz]

Lonely nights LOL

[Early B.]

And to top it off I break out the lazor pen & mount it on top of the tweeter to really zero in on the sweet spot.

Damn, that's a great idea. Gotta get me one of those.

[madmax]

Early, how right you are. My speakers are placed after much trial & error & measuring. It really does pay off in the end. A few inches can make a world of difference in the sound. And to top it off I break out the lazor pen & mount it on top of the tweeter to really zero in on the sweet spot. Now that clearly puts me in the nutclass category.:)


Been meaning to pick up a few of those laser pointers myself.
madmax

[Ricardo]

I thought this was about implants.....

[BobMcG]

And I was going to ask you what brand pump you used. :p

[pearsall001]

Damn, that's a great idea. Gotta get me one of those.

You can pick one up pretty cheap at a pet store. When you're done playing with your speakers you can drive your cat nuts with it. I guess you can, I don't have a cat, just a big ass Rottie & he could give two shits about it.

[dougy]

After taking readings of the molecular density of the particulate matter drifting through my listening space and checking on the degree of shift in the time-space continuum, I carefully load that data into the Cray Super-Computer and it calculates the exact locations of my speakers and listening position :cool: It's currently got a small positional problem as it's saying that my head has an interference fit with my ass :confused:


youze guys cracks me up :D

[shack]

I Got Three More Inches! ...

I get about a couple dozen spam emails a day from you guys....All this time I thought they were referring to something else. :confused: Audio...Who Knew?

[TN_Polk_Lover]

. . . A few inches can make a world of difference . . .

Yea, that's what she said.

[disneyjoe7]

I thought you were serious about this audio stuff. Do you mean to tell me you don't measure everything before each listening session?!? :)
madmax


LOL tears in my eyes... Measure everything before each :D

[Schwingding]

My method is much simpler. I have a perfectly engineered equilateral triangle, made out of the same metal used to make measuring tapes (it doesn't stretch or shrink due to temperature). I simply lay the triangle out so 2 points touch the speakers, and I sit myself down at the third point and enjoy perfectly spaced out music. This way it doesn't matter if the maid moves my speakers, or my wife rearranges the listening area - I still enjoy perfect equilateralness.

[disneyjoe7]

I got another 3" myself....



I answered one of those E-mail small penis trouble, now I don't care where the speakers are. ;)

[madmax]

I have a perfectly engineered equilateral triangle, made out of the same metal used to make measuring tapes (it doesn't stretch or shrink due to temperature).


Yea, but is it traceable to the nation bureau of standards??
madmax

[Deadof_knight]

You mean your not supposed to bolt them to the floor and wall ? I was thinking I was getting hosed when the transit and level team showed up for my install.

[jm1]

Glad you are discovering how important it is to properly configure a two channel system.

As you have been through quite a few components in the past, I am curious if you now feel there could have been some setup issues (speaker location, phasing, etc.) during your review of these components that allowed a good component to leave your home?


Here is a quote from Jim Smith which directly reflects the issue at hand.

“So, if you're sitting where the path lengths are significantly unequal from the left and right speakers, you are absolutely guaranteed to hear wild shifts in the harmonics, meaning that an instrument or voice will not sound exactly as it should. This is not just some subjective acoustic theory. It's not only audible; it's also measurable in your room at your listening seat!

The sad fact is, you've just altered your system's harmonic relationships. So why did you buy all that stuff with 'vanishingly low distortion' if you're going to introduce a far worse version by not sitting in the center point where the path lengths are equal? Incidentally, this is an incontrovertible law of physics that is part of the good - and the bad - of stereophony.”

I have taken the time to match the speaker locations to be within 1/8 of an inch and am very pleased with the results.


From a post of mine in different thread, I borrowed and slightly modified the following.

“You may also wish to further refine your speaker placement by starting with an equilateral triangle with the speakers and listening position being the points. To center the soundstage image, try finding something that is recorded in mono. The sound should float directly between the two speakers. If it does not, adjust until it does. Some test discs may have mono tracks on them.

Play something that moves across the soundstage from one speaker to the other. If the image jumps from one speaker to the other across the center, move the speakers closer together until there is a smooth transition. I use the disc Enigma MCMXC A.D., second tract, for this test. You may have another selection in your collection that can provide the same test.”

I also found that Jim Smith covered this topic in his tips.


I use a small laser level to aim my speakers. The unit was only $6 on sale one week. I use it to horizontally and vertically align each cabinet to a point beyond the listening position. Works very well.

[madmax]

I've found a distance of more than an inch is definitely noticeable. Angle is even more critical. I've never done it but want to play with vertical angle to see what that does. As a matter of fact mine could be off a degree and having never measured it I wouldn't know.
madmax

[Early B.]

I've found a distance of more than an inch is definitely noticeable. Angle is even more critical. I've never done it but want to play with vertical angle to see what that does. As a matter of fact mine could be off a degree and having never measured it I wouldn't know.
madmax

Yep.

A few weeks ago I lifted my speakers about 2 inches off the ground and noticed a difference in height and bass improvement. It's amazing. Now I understand why some anal audiophiles put their subwoofers on stands. Others have reported taking literally several years to get the proper positioning correct.

A few months ago I also lifted my center channels speakers about 10 inches higher and achieved better results in the front soundstage. There's value in having the center channel at ear level and not in a TV stand or on top of the TV.

[schwarcw]

There's value in having the center channel at ear level and not in a TV stand or on top of the TV.

I agree, but if you are trying to put the center of the screen perpendicular to your eyesight, there is no room for placement of the center speaker at ear level. This is why theaters put the speaker behind the screen. I'd rather have my head level and my line of sight perpendicular to the center of the screen.

[Early B.]

I agree, but if you are trying to put the center of the screen perpendicular to your eyesight, there is no room for placement of the center speaker at ear level. This is why theaters put the speaker behind the screen. I'd rather have my head level and my line of sight perpendicular to the center of the screen.

Doesn't matter. My TV "sits" on top of the center speakers, so it's higher than eye level. I thought it would bother me, but it hasn't made any difference whatsoever. It's no different than sitting in the first few rows of a movie theater and looking up at the screen. The WAF was OK with it, too.

[hearingimpared]

I use the formula in the SDA user manuals. . . .it works perfectly.

[tonyb]

I use the formula my wife gave me....
9 inches in..
wait 10 min.
3 inches out

She's right!!