Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?


Went to a recent seminar featuring Jim Smith, well known author of the book  "Get Better Sound"  and hi fi set up guru.

The basic gist of the discussion was that the most important elements of a high end stereo installation are listening position and speaker positioning, in that order.  The actual hardware (speakers, amplifiers, source, cables etc) are of less importance relatively speaking.

Yet it is clear from this web site and it's contents, that set up is discussed much less than the actual hardware.

When I look at the Virtual Systems page on site, I'm estimating that, maybe, 10% of the systems posted are close to well set up.  Thus, hardly any of the featured hardware is performing close to it's maximum potential.

Shame, and why is it so?  Not sexy enough to talk about system set up in depth?  Lack of knowledge?  Or is it simply too hard to do and too complex a subject?

Just my 2 cents ...

bobbydd

It would be nice if your posts would stop generalizing about the ignorance and ineptness of most other audiophiles. Just a thought for you today. Enjoy your music and I do find your tweaks and builds most interesting. 

As mentioned in this thread already, many of us do not have a dedicated room (as much as we probably wish we did).

So we have to do the best we can with what we have.

I have a setup as mentioned, media cabinet right in the middle of the speakers.

But at least I was able to get rid of the coffee table (was able to convince the wife that we hardly ever have guests, no use of the coffee table), so now there is nothing between my seating position and the equipment/speakers.

I so wish I had a dedicated room.

Jay

You are right, 😁😊 but if i dont insist who will?Not so many people for sure...

I apologize for my lack of modesty or ego....I am not perfect i know....

My goal is saving money for people...

Dont upgrade before figuring acoustic...

By the way this general ignorance in audio thread or magazines cost me time and money many years ago, this dont excuse my tone of voice sometimes but help to understand it...

 

My deepest respect to you...

It would be nice if your posts would stop generalizing about the ignorance and ineptness of most other audiophiles.

You can create great S.Q. in a living room.... But it is way more difficult...

And it is not because many people cannot own a dedicated room that this truth can be erased from thread:

It is not the cost of the gear who gives us S.Q. but acoustic....

The only luxury in audio is a room, not a 100,000 bucks system...

I apologize for repeating this truth...

But i cannot boast about a piece of gear i dont upgrade nor buy anything i prefer to make my devices with junk...

 

 

But this acoustical truth is not said by much people here...is not it?

It is my excuse .... And i can mute myself and let others speak about everything save this important acoustic discovery for me for sure...

😁😊

 

My best to you....

 

As mentioned in this thread already, many of us do not have a dedicated room (as much as we probably wish we did).

So we have to do the best we can with what we have.

I have a setup as mentioned, media cabinet right in the middle of the speakers.

But at least I was able to get rid of the coffee table (was able to convince the wife that we hardly ever have guests, no use of the coffee table), so now there is nothing between my seating position and the equipment/speakers.

I so wish I had a dedicated room.

Jay

 

Unless you want vastly different speaker lengths it is not always practical to have your equipment rack placed anywhere other than between the speakers. In previous houses I have had the equipment placed at right angles and well to the left of the LH speaker, with different length cables but never noticed any improvement in SQ. I now have a TV on the wall and the speakers well away from front and side walls and the equipment rack between the speakers and it sounds fine to my ancient ears.