O.C.D. Speaker placement

Yes and yes (personally). I've ranted about placement before, and its's mission critical, far as I am concerned. But, unless your room is perfectly symmetrical, I wouldn't expect your optimum speaker placement to be either. I start with measurements, try to calculate room nodes, and plunk'em down where the tape measure and laser leveler suggests. Then I move them, and never look at the measuring tools again. One example, center-fill on the sound stage: with a perfectly measured symmetrical setup, in my room, squeues the image to the right. Move the right speaker about an inch further away, it balances perfectly. Asymmetrical, but in my room, where they work better. Then I throw some tape on the floor to mark the spot, as they get moved a lot (a bit of a high traffic area). Every now and then I revisit placement, but usually come back to the current marks -- which were the product of an afternoon of monkeying around with the help of a neighbor who's also a professional sound engineer. Which helped. A lot.

Speaker placement is THE most important part of home stereo. I guess I better add IMHO, before I come under attack for speaking in 'absolute' terms.

I tired every so-called formula for placement. Each had it's good points. I measured to within 1/4 inch. Trying to get it exact is hard with spikes on a carpet.

Then a few weeks ago, I read on this site I think, that the best place for your listening position is when the speaker forward axis cross right in front of your face. So I got my laser pen and did it. leaving the toe-in as it was and just adjusted the chair. I moved it a little over 2 ft back. WOW! It was like getting new speakers. I am not too much into describing sound effects. But, the soundstage is wider with a lot more depth. Detail was greatly improved. I not only got what was up front but, also the folks behind the front guys. Great detail. It also seems as if I can play my system louder without overloading the room. And this was not a one time thing, it's still that way. I may have been near-field before. It's true what they say when it comes to speaker placement, factions of an inch do matter.
Cheers

I totally get where you guys are coming from. In fact, I'm even more particular than that! I've actually been diagnosed as CDO, which is a lot like OCD but the letters are in the correct alphabetical order.

If you are measuring from your speakers to the wall you are most likely off by much more than you think. Rooms are not square. In fact they are far from it.

Try measuring from your listening position to each speaker with string. It is the only way to ensure the speaker are equal distance from you. Once you do this you will notice how the sound stage tightens up with better balance left to right.

Having your speakers equal distances from the back and side walls may not be the best acoustically. I would try the golden ratio. Read the quick primer on speaker placement at the cardas website under "insights".

Also, no need for periods between OCD. Its an acronym. But thats a little OCD of me to mention.

-Karl