Weird Speaker Placement Configurations

Indeed the type of speaker positioning configuration your are proposing is, in almost all circumstances, more desirable and will achieve superior results to a symmetrical set-up. I am happy to see that there are some fellow 'goner's here who are familiar with this concept as you will rarely see this type of positioning,not just in peoples homes where it is understandable, considering the aesthetic concerns this type of speaker placement brings to a room, but even in high-end dealer showrooms where these types of considerations should have less bearing. In fact any type of pure symmetrical set-up placement where the speakers are equidistant from all room boundries will almost surely produce acoustical problems such as standing waves. There is an excellent Canadian high-end publication titled UHF that has touted this type of placement scheme with loudspeakers for years. So if you have an accommodating spouse or live on your own I urge all audiophiles to experiment with this type of placement configuration where the loudspeakers form a triangle with the corner of your listening room, I think you will be surprised by the improvement, in the overall performance of your audio system, that can be obtained by this method if performed properly.

I am forced into a diagonal placement and am pleased with the result. For a while I fretted over all the talk of reflections, standing waves etc but as I became more educated on the topic realized I had none of these issues - or at least they were minor. My only issue is a lack of a very wide and deep soundstage, which may be caused in part by an armoir in the middle of the corner diagonal against the wall (TV & components are within the armoir). Jim Smith's book talks a little about this placement in a positive manner. I found that using his grid system with a centerline helped with bass response.

I too have my setup on the diagonal . It is exactly on a diagonal in relation to the corners , the speakers and listening chair . I also have the same problem as Mcondo ie. all of my soundstage is between and behind the speakers and at the same height . But no anomolies as to sound quality !

This is in a square room where I have tried three different amps , two different pairs of speakers and two different CDP's all giving the same results . I assume that it is the setup and not the equipment . I have tried a futon cushion and then a piece of plywood in the corner behind the speakers and could not discern any changes .
I have noticed that Bdgregory's diagonal setup is off axis . That is , to one side of the corner . I wonder if that might make a difference with the soundstage ?

Any comments ?

Saki70; Yes having the placement off axis even when oriented diagonally in the listening room is just as important as with a more traditional placement. Even with the diagonal set up asymmetrical placement of the loudspeakers is still undesirable for all of the same reasons.

Rcrerar ;
So if you move the speakers off to one side do you then move your listening position to compliment it ?
In other words , if you shift the speakers to the right of diagonaly true would you then move your listeing position to the left an equal amount so as to stay directly in front of the speakers or square to them ?

And this will improve the soundstage ?

Thank you .