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, $19.99 for the XLO Test CD is even better yet. Thanks.

Richopp and winnardt, your implication there are better and more accurate speakers than my Magico A3's is dastardly indeed.

Big_greg, since it was reported yesterday Amazon's Jeff Bezos just bought the most expensive home in all of California, he surely requires our full support. 

Mike




I received at Christmas a laser tape measure that measures to within a sixteenth of an inch. My speakers are now so locked in place with accuracy that it was a epiphany .
The laser method is not nearly as good as the XLO Test CD method. How do I know? Because the XLO Test CD will find the NEW absolute best speaker locations after adding room acoustics devices or other tweaks to the room. Whereas the laser method cannot account for new additions to the system or system tweaks. In fact the laser method doesn’t ever account for room treatment or tweaks. Hel-ooo! It’s not (rpt not) a static situation with the speaker locations. You do NOT want your speakers locked in place.
geoffkait

Thanks for the XLO test cd...I already look for it one year ago and forgot it....I try it seriously today...

Very interesting test....The 4 phase sections are very useful....


It seems my speakers are quite good and rightly located....


Before this test I guessed my system parts were in phase but it was only my impressions...Now at least I know that they are by testing.... Thanks with a smile from the past... :)
I went to Soundings in Denver and they demoed master setting speakers.  The sound is very noticeable.  What's nice is you don't have to sit in the sweet spot, which is nice when you have guests over to listen to music and cocktails.  I moved my speakers away from the wall and toed then in perfectly and that made a huge difference.  Adding a pair of REL S3 SHO subwoofers also improved the bass extension.