Where should the vocal image be?

@millercarbon 

 Comments about toe in are off base. There is no “one size fits all” recommendation regarding soundstage depth and toe in. Not only is this very subjective, but there are many speaker manufacturers that say absolutely no toe in for their design. As a matter of fact, Reference 3a speakers need to fire directly into the room. Anything more than a minute amount of toe in ruins the tonal balance. And this is by design. 
 

So even though soundstage depth may be enhanced by severe toe in, many other parameters may suffer. This is an individual listener and speaker preference.

i was going to say the same thing regarding the speaker toe in, as some companies say not to .     Dali speakers would be one that i know of that require no toe in.

@ozzy62

As a matter of fact, Reference 3a speakers need to fire directly into the room. Anything more than a minute amount of toe in ruins the tonal balance. And this is by design.

 

So even though soundstage depth may be enhanced by severe toe in, many other parameters may suffer. This is an individual listener and speaker preference.

Good observation and needs to be emphasized, much ’depends’ on the specific speaker in question and the room/speaker relationship. Generalizations aren’t applicable in this type of scenario. Case by case approach is the way to proceed. Good topic!

Charles

@erik_squires

behind the speaker plane. :)

 

but this is extremely recording dependent.

Agreed 👍 When setting up my speakers, I always test their correct/best location based on the main singer being behind the speakers and/or ’into’ and ’within’ the soundstage.

But, as Eric stated, depends on the recording. Nora Jones recordings often frustrate me (as example), as her voice is typically too forward for my taste. 

But, as Eric stated, depends on the recording. 

i mentioned this in the beginning but i see Eric gets the credit