Proper Toe-in Configuration

Larryi covers this quite well. I would only add that Speaker designers assume you can/will set up their speakers in situations that complement their design. For example, one famous maker recommends facing the speakers straight ahead (they had a very hot on-axis response, and just sounded much better off axis) but if placed near an untreated sidewall they sounded especially harsh. They benefitted by crossing the axis well in front of the listener position in many set ups.

Another thing to consider is that extreme toe-in changes all of the reflection points in the room. For example, the left side wall will now become more important in the sound from the right speaker because you have strong on-axis sound bouncing off it. Ditto ceiling and floor. In some rooms this is a good thing, in others not.

FWIW, in my room, crossing the speaker axis in front of my listening chair has allowed me to get a wider speaker spread and has eliminated some distortions brought by room created distortions from reflections without having to resort to a lot of audiophile acoustic treatments and the consequencial WAF issues.

But, if side walls are not an issue, many speakers facing forward will sound much more expansive - soundstage wise.

Anyway, just fiddle around and sometime in the next year or so you will find the perfect toe in and speaker set up. Have fun.

Tried this method?

Sounds Interesting

http://www.audiocircle.com/circles/index.php?PHPSESSID=8hpm0gp4lf1tjif5rlj7p6ouh5&topic=64321.new#new

I tried the method in the link posted by Team212 about a month ago and it works very well. In some ways it is very similar to the Audiophysic set-up method. I learned a lot about bass response using this method. Bass has never sounded smoother in my system as a result.

Team212,

The method described is essentially the "Sumiko Method" taught to dealers of Sonus Faber and Vienna Acoustics" speakers. I have helped a dealer set up several systems using this method.

This method emphasizes getting the bass response right. What is amazing about this method is that even very tiny movements (1/2 inch makes a difference) into and out of bass nodes has a noticeable impact, and everyone listening will hear the same subjective change no matter where they are located in the room. I've heard, and agreed with others on the benefit of a movement on bass response while standing next to the other speaker (the one not moving). Toe-in is one of the last items that is addressed using this method.

you assume all speakers should be toed in or be placed parallel to the wall behind it.

i prefer speakers toed out.