Speakers positionning

FWIW I said it wrong. The toe in would be 22.5 degrees PAST CENTER or the on-axis position.

Just reading this thread all the way through, it is apparent how different the speakers, rooms and listening preferences are among A'gon members.  This thread also shines a light on how differently we listen to our systems.  My system is in a dedicated room, optimized for one listener.  Some of you have quite different goals in mind and hence, what to me, seem like extreme set-ups to achieve that goal.  Live and let live!

I've always preferred the sound of a speaker closer to straight ahead, rather than toed in (or with very slight toe-in).  I generally find this produces a smoother, more filled out sound, more dimensional soundstage, etc.  With decent off axis performance, image focus can be good as well.

One effect of toe-in I've never liked is how it tends to squeeze the sound too small.

I did listen to a set up not too long ago (Magic A3) with the severe toe in some are recommending - crossed well in front of the listener.  It "worked" but I frankly didn't like it quite as much as speakers facing closer to straight ahead. 

All to personal taste, of course.

Moral of the story: individual speakers vary a great deal, rooms vary a great deal, interactions between the two vary a great.  So, it's best to keep an open mind and experiment as much as possible, even with "unconventional" configurations.

newbee,

I have tried extreme toe-in and it had an adverse effect on stereo imaging. Thought I was listening to mono.