sweet spot hell

Sean,

Well said. I apologize for not reading your post before I posted mine. Actually, I had written that post at work during the day and by the time I had time to finish and post it, yours had beaten me to it.

That having been said, I also do not like too much toe in. I have tried to not only not have much toe in but as well like to have them spread apart as much as the speaker and room characteristics allow without losing too much focus.

Please let me understand something though. I agree that with appropriate placement you can get a nice wide soundstage and good tonal balance, but do you think that translates into a wide sweet spot? I have not been successful at that.
My system is comprised of:
Theta transport, theta gen 5a DAC, Spectral DMC 30 and DMA 360 and eidolons. This is the new system that I have just upgraded after moving to a new house. I used to have spectral stuff and ascent Mk II's. With that gear although I am sure there were significant improvements that coudl have been made by one with more experience, it was still pretty good and I remember the distinct feeling of missing out somewaht on the sound if I was not dead center in the listening position.

thanks once again for your post. The dialing in and tinkering is alot of the fun

jd

I have the same problem with my Audio Physic speakers. Immedia told me to move the speakers 2-3 feet off the side walls and to angle the left speaker at the left person's left ear/shoulder and angle/toe the right speaker at the right ear/shoulder of the other listener. Then make modifications from there.
I did that and it helped a little. Definately noticeable improvement, but the center spot on the couch is still the best for imaging purposes.

while there are lotsa walid points being made here, the indiwidual speakers' inherent characteristics also have a lot to do w/this. dunlavys are known to have a *wery* narrow sweet-spot. one reviewer likened them to being "the worlds' largest headfones". thiels' imho, have a wery wide sweet-spot - i have heard them (facing straight-ahead, which is how thiel recommends it) throw a palpable image even when, for example, sitting to the right of the right speaker, & this was w/no special room treatment. the speakers' dispersion characteristics are important in a wide sweet-spot.

doug s.