Uneven room dimensions/reflections = uneven toe in as solution?
It’s challenging in my room to create a sound stage that is distributed equally between the speakers. That is, to have the center in the center means that there is a slight preponderance of sound on one side versus the other. This is due to the rooms asymmetrical dimensions and asymmetrical ceiling, and partially glass and partially furniture in front of the speakers. All of this needs to be as it is for reasons not related to audio. I’ve tried various solutions and I am now experimenting with toeing in one of the speakers, the one on the weaker side, to try to accentuate it’s half of the stereo sound. Has anyone else tried this? Or does anyone have any other solutions for me? I don’t have a balance control on any of my equipment or it might be much easier to fix this. It’s not a terrible problem and I am mostly mentioning this because I have a little free time and I’m curious. Thank you ahead of time.
It's hard to divorce oneself from visual symmetry, but you're on the right path. Listening is key, eyes closed if necessary. Also, REW measuring helps -- scan left and right individually to see what's happening and how changes in room arrangements might affect acoustic assymetries. |
I done so successfully, but had the dominant speaker firing straight into the room and the less dominant speaker towed slightly more to the listening position (in my case/room). On the extreme I used to set a pair of Reynaud Twin speakers so that I could listen from the sofa on the left side of the room. I didn't move the stands, just towed in the furthest away speaker until the channels were balanced. I placed tape markers on the top of the stands in order to make switching back easier. This said, I have an unusual asymmetrical/lopsided "U" shaped room with a galley kitchen divided from the living room by a wall 1/3 the length of the space.
DeKay |
I need that symmetry so I couldn't live with different toe-in angles. However, you can also try varying the distance a little from the front wall. Pull the speaker exhibiting less output forward a 1/8" at a time until you balance the sound. Otherwise, you could try absorption/diffusion panels placed evenly at the first reflection points. There are panels on stands that you could move out of the way when not in use. |
Thanks. At the moment I have the dominant one facing straightahead and the less dominant one towed in just a bit. It certainly makes things better. I will keep experimenting. I know that both speakers are putting out the same decibel levels. I’ve checked that. It’s just a super complicated room in which lots of experimenting will probably get the job done. |
