Listening triangle

I've always had luck following the advice that said to make your listening distance the same as the speaker width. This is not an equilateral triangle, rather, a perpindicular line straight back from the center point of your speakers. Example: say your speakers are 8 feet apart, you should be 8 feet away from the center point of your two speakers, kind of like a big T-square. If your speakers are 10 feet apart, your listening poition should be 10 feet straight back from the center of your two speakers, etc. Try it out and see if it works. Regarding toe in, I'm sure it is speaker dependent, I have mine so I can see only about 1" of the inside of the speaker, kind of like they're ointing at my shoulders.

Am I the only one that uses an equalateral setup. Same distance from each speaker? It works best for me in small rooms anyway. 8' is ideal depending on the room size.

I agree that every room is different and you must experiment. Your lack of a second boundary wall means a non symetrical arrangement, which is more challenging. That being said, here are guidelines that have worked for me.

In a large room such as yours, start by placing the speakers on the narrow wall, using Cardas for a starting distance off the existing side wall (distance to side wall is 0.276 X room width). With only one actual wall, you may discover image centering issues and a sound stage that is wider on one side. On the positive side, you might discover some pleasing echoes up towards the ceiling corners.

Place the speakers a minimum of 2 ft. off the back wall with no toe in. Sit slightly further from each speaker than they are apart (if 8 ft. apart, sit 9 ft. from each measured along the triangle). That makes the included angle more like 55 deg. than 60 deg).

Experiment with moving the speakers closer together or farther apart and observe the image. The further apart without getting to close to the side wall, the better, as long as the image holds together. Many speakers will go up to 10 ft., no problem.

Then, try moving the speaker and listening position (together) further from the back wall, making measurements at the listening position. Avoid having the side and rear wall distances close to the same. Look for the best low end response.

Finally, experiment with toe in to minimize side wall reflections and control high end brightness. For well balanced high end speakers, the less toe in the better.

The variables in the setup process are many and the number of combinatins are infinite. But, don't be discouraged, if you are patient, it will come together. I am still making adjustments after 2 years, based on a better understanding of what is going on. Take good notes of the trends. They can be useful later on.

BTW, a DSP/RTA beats the heck out of a RS meter for speed of taking and analyzing room measurements. You can get a good one with calibrated mike under $500.

Have fun and let us know how it goes.

Experimentation seems to be the key. I'm playing and having fun. I used to keep my speakers 6 feet apart. There is a lot of interesting things going on with 9.5 feet between them (subs in the middle) with the high ceilings an opening. very interesting. So far so good, but everything, as we all know, in this audiophoolish hobby, is temporary. :)

Robm321-

Interesting. I had not tried sitting with my head in the equilateral triangle spot as you have. I guess my room did not really allow it with where I had my couch (and listening position while sitting normally). If I sit on the edge of the couch and lean forward I can get close to an e-triangle.

As the Cardas method also does suggest an e-triangle I gave that a try tonight. Something really kind of kicked in at a 100" e-triangle. So much that I am now considering moving my couch so I can sit normally at that distance.
Will keep tweaking.