2. amps-preamps
  3. 187912-150037

Is toeing speakers a bad idea?

I was toeing in my speakers and that seemed like a good thing to do. But then I decided to de-toe the speakers. I was hoping that the speakers dispersed things well enough and maybe they don't need to be focused so much to create a so-called sweet spot.

I found the imaging in the room was a lot better and sound improved. The room is a rectangular room and the speakers are placed at one end of the room about 3 feet from the wall. Room sizes 17 x 23 with a 7 ceiling. Maybe someone can share some rationale for this.  I feel the sound waves may spread out better and not be so disturbed when they collide in a so called sweet spot near my skull.

emergingsoul
wolf_garcia
6,702 posts
 

Toe in benefits are in the ears of the beholder, and ONLY in the ears of the beholder. There is no sound in a forum response.

winoguy17
1,123 posts
 

  In my experience,  less is more...

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,729 posts
 

Almost all speakers radiate out at an angle that should hit your listening position.  A little toe in can be good, but to much can shrink the sound stage. 
 

All the best.

vair68robert
625 posts
 

I think I've moved my speakers 0ver 150 times , in , out  , forward , backward  with toe-in and facing straight until I found my ideal sound . 

I use 3/4 inch toe-in . but my room is only 13 feet wide .

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
237 posts
 

I have a pair of very tall ESLs. As many planar speakers do, they "beam" meaning that the sound stage is not very dispersed. However, you CAN play with it by using  varying amounts of toe-in. 

Counter intuitively, less toe-in creates a very focused image, and a very small 'sweet spot' to go with. More toe-in creates a wider, more defuse soundstage. 

I go through phases where I'll listen to one configuration for several months then one day I'll switch to the other. It's fun to hear the differences and keeps things fresh! 😉

Happy listening.

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