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Adjusting speaker positioning. What, if anything, to expect?


I am going to adjust my Magico A3’s positioning a little bit to try to optimize their performance and the listening experience. Due to the logistics of the room they’re in, there’s only a limited amount I can move them. I’ll describe the room and what I can do within those limitations. I’m wondering what improvement I might be able to achieve with adjusting positioning.

The room is approximately 14’ x 22’. There is a high vaulted ceiling. about 15’ at it’s peak centered in the room on its horizontal axis. Picture how kindergarten child draws a house. That’s the shape of a cross section of the room and vaulted ceiling.. The speakers are located about 8’ apart centered on the long wall. The front of the A3’s are only out 22" from the wall, the rear of the speakers only 9" from the wall. That can’t be helped. The prime listening position is on a couch about 10’ out from and facing the same wall, also centered. The components are on shelves centered and built into the same long wall the speakers are on. There are some other furnishings, and books above built-in cabinets, line most of the other three walls.

I can move the speakers about a foot farther apart or closer together, and I can change their toe-in. What changes, if any, might I be expecting or hope to achieve moving the speakers within these limited parameters? Could the sound-stage be affected? I’m not sure what the sound-stage should be like anyway. Should it extend to the left or right outside the speakers, or be mainly between the speakers? Right now depending on the recording the vocals and instruments are usually between or no further apart than the actual speakers. Could the treble, midrange, or bass response be augmented or diminished depending on positioning? Are there any other factors that may be affected by positioning alone? Thank you for any guidance and please feel free to ask any questions. Thanks,

Mike
skyscraper
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Careful skyscraper, you have unwittingly stumbled into the geoffkait zone, a region of endless confusing possibilities masquerading as science.  

I have the XLO CD. Perfectly set up the out of phase will indeed seem to be coming from everywhere and nowhere. Even more amazing, there's another track where Doug Sax stands in an empty room talking and hitting a clavis. He walks around the room talking and hitting, and if you're set up right its just uncanny, especially when he goes behind you and damn if it doesn't sound like he's behind you! 

Getting this done the way they say on the CD, moving one speaker or the other a little at a time, that's what the CES guys tried, and I wish you good luck. That's the difference between trial and error and a more systematic approach:  You might get there, eventually, vs you will get there, and fast.  

This might be a good time to reflect on the wisdom of taking advice from a guy who refuses to post his system, famously brags has no speakers, and no wire, and claims if you pay him money he will make your system sound better while talking to you on the phone. Seriously. The Teleportation Tweak. I am not making this up. http://www.machinadynamica.com/ Read him at your own risk. 

Just do like I said. Get the speakers perfectly symmetrical. Point them straight ahead and listen. Point them straight at your head and listen. Few of us like them pointed straight at us. Most like them aimed at a point a foot or two further back. That is, toed out a little. That's me. Some like them toed out even more. Who knows, different room, different speakers, I might go for that too. Go and listen. You will see.






geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
millercarbon, your panties are too tight. 
ncdogdoc
33 posts
 
$19.95 from the sourcehttps://referencerecordings.com/recording/xlo-test-burn-in-cd/
cheeg's avatar
cheeg
246 posts
 
For what it's worth, I prefer a sound stage that extends beyond the speakers; ie, to the left of the left speaker and to the right of the right speaker.  I agree with the comments that say the singer should be anchored midway between the two speakers, as though they are standing in front of you.  In the end, there is no right or wrong here, it's just what gives you the most enjoyment from your music.  But don't have the soundstage coming from the ceiling; that would just be wack...
rego
378 posts
 
The Baffle is the entire front panel of a Loudspeaker (the surface that the drivers are attached).
The Baffle is also significant with regard to Radiation Pattern and how (in the case of) the A3 integrates in a room. Do not worry about this.
Your primary concern is to listen for the differences in positioning.
Exaggerate the spacing a bit to experience the difference.
Six feet is close to a limit for spacing.
Seven feet (7’) is only a reference for illustration.
"How to Isolate Speakers" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW9-r83IvhI Illustrates physical decoupling. Thanks Townshend!
A direct Physical contact to a wooden sub-floor will transmit vibration in both directions! Isolating all Audio Components can help make improvements.
Decoupling is something to be aware of while you are focusing on improvements.
Using low friction pads under the spikes to slide the Loudspeaker on a carpet (for example) would decouple the A3.

A reference point for measurement is a common question and not often specified.
The centerline on the edge of the Baffle in the vertical axis is the reference line.
Measure to / from any common point to the wall as it suits you though.
Use string and a marker if you so choose.
A throw rug on a tile floor could make a substantial difference in a
’Bright Listening Space’.


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