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Near-field speaker placement

I have a small room (13.6 by 9 by 7 feet high) with carpeting on the floor and acoustic tiles on the ceiling. In a near-field setup, where should the speakers be placed in this room? I've read a number of different takes on placement, including these two that seem to contradict one another:

http://www.cardas.com/room_setup_near_field.phphttp://arqen.com/acoustics-101/room-setup-speaker-placement/#equilateral-triangle
I have a very modest system (NHT Classic Twos, NAD amp and preamp, Cary disc player and a small Velodyne sub). NHT recommends that the Classic Twos be placed at a 1.5 ratio (60 inches between the speakers would mean 90 inches from the listener). How big of a problem is this if the typical near-field setup is an equilateral triangle? And in a room like this, how far should the speakers be placed apart?

I wasted years on trying to make a square room work, and if this doesn't pan out, I'm thinking I might just go the headphone route. Thanks for the time and advice if you can provide it.
128x128jeddythree
mesch
3,509 posts
 
One needs to experiment for one's self. Can you position speakers along either wall? I have found it best when speakers are placed forward of front wall and away from side walls. Listener should be forward of back wall. This obviously becomes difficult in a room of your size. You may want to try true near field positioning. My idea of near field positioning is when the distance between speakers is greater than the distance from listener to the front of speakers. In my case the between speaker (center line of drivers) distance is 61/2' and distance from speakers is 51/2'.

The presentation of the soundstage, fore and aft of front of speaker, differs greatly between speakers. This greatly impacts speaker placement.  

Room treatment panels behind speakers and listener and at primary reflexion points along side walls improves soundstage and imaging. Check out forums on acoustic treatment.
tomcarr
1,522 posts
 
Buy Jim Smith's book Get Better Sound.
Read it.
Read it again.
Make notes.
Start moving speakers and listening seat.
Repeat as needed.
Be patient.
Do more moving.
Enjoy your now much-better-sounding system that only cost you the price of the book and your time.

Tom
oicu812's avatar
oicu812
110 posts
 
I'm guessing 9' feet wide? My suggestion is 2' off the back wall and 1' from the outer wall, and dial in the toe in to your ears. Lastly, find the volume level that is best for your enjoyment.
jeddythree's avatar
jeddythree OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for the responses and the advice, folks. I'll keep reading and keep adjusting. Onward through the fog ...
mesch
3,509 posts
 
If speakers are to be placed in front of the 9'wall (the front wall) this allows for greater distance behind speaker and listener. Toe in and sound panels at reflection points will allow for closer distance to side walls. 

Another acoustic improvement is to place equipment rack to side of listener, not between speakers. Since you have preamp/amp separates you can place amp on stand along one side wall, splitting distance between equipment rack and speakers with lengths of interconnects and speaker cable.

Please keep us informed as to what come come up with. Good luck!
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