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

A dedicated room is not necessary, but dedicated music listening is. In other words you need to just listen to the music and not do anything else. 

Very well said @sharri  👏👏👏👏👏

I will add that not only a dedicated room is not necessary but music itself is not necessary, silence in any position is the only necessary fulfillment...

But being in an audio thread i will repeat that a dedicated room acoustic is the only luxury...not the price tag of gear at all...

Saying that we can enjoy music anywhere from any system even in an escalator is common place fact  from  which NOBODY can argue against...

😁😊

 

A dedicated room is not necessary, but dedicated music listening is. In other words you need to just listen to the music and not do anything else.

Very well said @sharri 👏👏👏👏👏

 

Yes of course.... Thanks for the correction... 😊

Hm, I think you meant to write "Elevator".