Speaker Placement a Key to Imaging

[Robh3606]

Very nice rooms and systems!!

With set-up no one uses set-up CD's?? Back in the day I used the JBL sessions, Shure Cartridge, High Fidelity and the classic Bob and Ray throws a Stereo Spectacular LP to help verify proper phase, cartridge set-up and tracking, frequency sweeps and so on.

With modern set-up CD's they are much more useful they have tracks to verify imaging, subwoofer integration and many other helpful tracks. My favorite in the Delos Surround Set Up disk

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Rob


https://www.amazon.com/Dolby-Surroun.../dp/B000000703

[DerekTheGreat]

Oh, I've got a CD like that. I don't have a CD player, so I burned the tracks to my library and imported them on my iPod. From there, I've got a docking station with remote that I use to access those tracks and all the others on it.

[jmpsmash]

In terms of placement of the speakers, aside from symmetry in the room, the main factor on placement to be handled next is the bass response. My room is tricky and there are only some places where the bass response look reasonable. You just have to find the right place where the room modes hurts the FR the least.

I usually bust out the microphone and have REW generating full spectrum pink noise and then I move the speaker around some reasonable placements until the frequency response looks most reasonable. Even 2-3 inches here and there make a difference. I ended up finding a rather wide placement, almost placing the speakers and listening position in a equilateral triangle. Luckily with minor toe in the imaging was able to form sharply. This works well for me as I like orchestral music and a wider placement form a wide sound stage with very good imaging.

[Ian Mackenzie]

Very nice rooms and systems!!

With set-up no one uses set-up CD's?? Back in the day I used the JBL sessions, Shure Cartridge, High Fidelity and the classic Bob and Ray throws a Stereo Spectacular LP to help verify proper phase, cartridge set-up and tracking, frequency sweeps and so on.

With modern set-up CD's they are much more useful they have tracks to verify imaging, subwoofer integration and many other helpful tracks. My favorite in the Delos Surround Set Up disk

Anyone have any other suggestions?


Rob


https://www.amazon.com/Dolby-Surroun.../dp/B000000703

Hi Rob,

Back in the day l used the Shure test LP and the JBL sessions LP.
Somewhere l have a Chesky test cd that is very good for stereo imaging and sound stage.

I think small rooms (most domestic living rooms) are not kind to the bass response. As a result sometimes you are forced to sit on a room boundary or a position which is less than ideal for a reasonable stereo image. If you find this a problem try complementing the bass with a subwoofer. Three or more sources of bass in a room is better than two. This may need some experimentation.

[Robh3606]

Hi Rob,

Back in the day l used the Shure test LP and the JBL sessions LP.
Somewhere l have a Chesky test cd that is very good for stereo imaging and sound stage.

I think small rooms (most domestic living rooms) are not kind to the bass response. As a result sometimes you are forced to sit on a room boundary or a position which is less than ideal for a reasonable stereo image. If you find this a problem try complementing the bass with a subwoofer. Three or more sources of bass in a room is better than two. This may need some experimentation.

Hello Ian

Rooms can be a real challenge. Especially if you can't go for best speaker placement and are restrained by furniture placement and room use. Not many of us can have a dedicated room so for most it's a compromise. Multiple bass sources do help.

Not getting into the ability of have a listening seat at the optimum point in the room. We all have to do the best with what we have.

Rob

[toddalin]

My speakers are 7.5 feet center to center. The panned Rhodes spans beyond the full 26 feet of the room, even with eyes open.

https://youtu.be/tvaGNfk3Ipg

[Robh3606]

My speakers are 7.5 feet center to center. The panned Rhodes spans beyond the full 26 feet of the room, even with eyes open.

https://youtu.be/tvaGNfk3Ipg

OK so is this with changes? Have you changed anything or just going with smoothest FR response like your prior set-up?

Rob

[eso]

And, apparently, another vote for the Poang listening chair! I'm up to four now, all in leather, with footstools.

One of these days I'm going to spring for a proper Eames/Herman Miller lounger. Until then the Poang will do. I am due to replace the cushions again... Should probably get leather.

eso

[BMWCCA]

One of these days I'm going to spring for a proper Eames/Herman Miller lounger. Until then the Poang will do. I am due to replace the cushions again... Should probably get leather.

eso

I actually think the more backrest you have behind your ears, the more it messes with the reflections and sound from the speakers. I really like the Poang chair and the extra pillow on my leather covers lifts the head just a bit.

Plus I buy them all used and leather is a bit easier to get past my wife as opposed to cloth cushions from someone else's house coming into ours! Here on the East Coast you can often find a chair and matching ottoman in flawless condition in leather for under $50. I've actually never paid even that much!

[mwaldron]

One of these days I'm going to spring for a proper Eames/Herman Miller lounger. Until then the Poang will do.

eso

I pined after one of these for a decade plus. Two issues 1. Finding one that isn't counterfeit, 2. Finding out that I did not like sitting in it and could have spent all that time pining over something else?