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’s a hobby.  That means its supposed to be fun.  My speaker placement maximizes that utility function!

We often post up to describe our preferences. We enjoy the hobby in our own way… thats the beauty of it (and most other hobbies).

Go nuts on room treatments but lousy gear, or vise versa, or both, or neither, or any other combination of parts and pieces one sees fit…

@mijostyn  I’ll risk further damage to my reputation and agree with you once more… IME the listening room is always a very large part of the system…

Im too new to this board, I don’t yet know folks…perhaps most here would not form an opinion about me yet.
If they would (this early) then I’d not be too concerned anyhow lolololololol…

So beyond the basics that you mentioned what have you observed in room setups that are "NO NO's"  and what are things that people are ignoring in the set up?  What did Jim Smith say that are more advanced or overlooked in room setup? Just curious as to what could help us all make it sound better?

If you do you are not an audiophile.

Now if your room really doesnt allow you are excused.

Otherwise.......

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2358773

 

Well no it is all part of the reproduction. Junk in junk out a horrendous recording it doesn't matter what the equipment is or what the placement is like it is horrendous. In fact the closer a person has to a reference grade system and perfect setup the worse that bad source material sounds. 

 

Regards