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Adjusting speaker positioning. What, if anything, to expect?


I am going to adjust my Magico A3’s positioning a little bit to try to optimize their performance and the listening experience. Due to the logistics of the room they’re in, there’s only a limited amount I can move them. I’ll describe the room and what I can do within those limitations. I’m wondering what improvement I might be able to achieve with adjusting positioning.

The room is approximately 14’ x 22’. There is a high vaulted ceiling. about 15’ at it’s peak centered in the room on its horizontal axis. Picture how kindergarten child draws a house. That’s the shape of a cross section of the room and vaulted ceiling.. The speakers are located about 8’ apart centered on the long wall. The front of the A3’s are only out 22" from the wall, the rear of the speakers only 9" from the wall. That can’t be helped. The prime listening position is on a couch about 10’ out from and facing the same wall, also centered. The components are on shelves centered and built into the same long wall the speakers are on. There are some other furnishings, and books above built-in cabinets, line most of the other three walls.

I can move the speakers about a foot farther apart or closer together, and I can change their toe-in. What changes, if any, might I be expecting or hope to achieve moving the speakers within these limited parameters? Could the sound-stage be affected? I’m not sure what the sound-stage should be like anyway. Should it extend to the left or right outside the speakers, or be mainly between the speakers? Right now depending on the recording the vocals and instruments are usually between or no further apart than the actual speakers. Could the treble, midrange, or bass response be augmented or diminished depending on positioning? Are there any other factors that may be affected by positioning alone? Thank you for any guidance and please feel free to ask any questions. Thanks,

Mike
skyscraper
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 

mijostyn
Geoffkait, you automatically adjust phase when you listen for the image. Adjusting phase is only important when you have separate drivers such as subwoofers. Think about that. You can move your head side to side and find the exact spot where two speakers are in phase. It is where the image snaps into focus. This of course is the listening position. Phasing subwoofers is certainly more complicated and the best way to do this is by measuring arrival times which requires a microphone and a computer set up for impulse testing.

>>>>I’m pretty sure we’re not on the same page. I don’t think we’re even looking at the same book. 😬 Oh, it’s a long way to Tipperary. 🤗
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
Rather than asking for opinions before you take action, why not just move the loudspeakers around and see what you think is happening?  Try different locations, toe-in and tilt angles.  Take your time for this could take months of listening.  If it helps, take written notes.  Everybody has their opinions about what will happen, but only you are in your room with your loudspeakers listening with your ears.
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
onhwy, all that is true but there are many people who don't quite know what to listen for. None of us did when we started down this road. We learned over time. It never hurts to share this knowledge with people who are just getting started. 
Goeffkait, we are never on the same page. Pick your poison.
needfreestuff's avatar
needfreestuff
572 posts
 
I looked up the recommended distance from the back of the speaker to the wall behind it and magico has it at 20 in. Yours are at nine inches this could cause bass issues and also affect your mid-range. I would also put a level to the top of your speakers to make sure that they are perfectly level. Also distance measured between speakers should be from the Center of the Tweeter to the Center of the other Tweeter. Make sure your measurements are exact. Once you've got the speakers to your liking I would call gik acoustics, and give them your measurement stats, and describe your sound issues, than ask for their recommendations 4 acoustical treatments. Best of luck
tablejockey
3,916 posts
 
Great speakers in a compromised situation. Looks like nice speakers in a living space, like many?

Try everything suggested, trusting your ears. No one here, has the answer.
Read,and hear other systems.

Your speakers deserve a dedicated space with room to breath. 5-6 feet from the back wall, 3-4 off the sides, firing down the length of room, with room treatment.

Anything short of that, accept reality- those speakers won't perform as intended.
You will get to an acceptable level, but not without trial and error.

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