Radical toe in once more

Is there an "inherent" problem with radical toe in,

The question is, what is ideal toe-in. 

It depends, and lots has to do with how tweeters and mids sound off-axis.  In many cases speakers are designed specifically for zero or no toe-in.  This allows for a wide sweet spot and may actually smooth out the tweeter and mid response.  Especially true for metal domes.  Listening on axis is actually wrong for a lot of speakers designed for the average home listener.

The radical toe-in idea comes from the idea of attempting to minimize side wall reflections.   The idea is to move more of the energy into the room before it gets reflected, hopefully improving imaging and spacial cues when other alternatives ( moving speakers away from side walls, absorbent panels, etc.) are not possible.

Take a look at figure 4 in this review for the MoFi coaxial speaker that's been in the news.  The off-axis response is superb, but still you can see how the tweeter output goes down off-axis.  Then also look at the on-axis response you can see how exaggerated the output is at the very top octave.   This is a speaker you probably want to listen to somewhat off-axis for best response, but which will give you a very nice broad listening area.

Thanks to both of you!

My room is quite large, I dont have major problems with side wall reflections or back wave boom, and the off axis treble response is quite smooth. So my speakers sound very good with radical toe in but also good with conventional toe in. I am just in two minds, regarding the front wave.

Something rarely addressed is the effect of floor and, more importantly, ceiling reflections. Crossing the axis of your speakers in front of you might get a more diffused soundstage (for the better?) because of changing ceiling reflections. Whatever, it does make a difference if you listen closely.

I am just in two minds, regarding the front wave.

If you had never heard of radical toe-in you'd be happy?  Then pretend you don't know what it is and keep things conventional.

Interesting topic. I will (hopefully) have new speakers next week. They are of the Planar/ribbon design. I have been told that they should be placed with no toe in, no absorptive materials behind them or at 1st reflection points and place them about 4-5 feet from the wall that is behind the speakers.

Very new concept for me, so, I shall see what this leads to.

ozzy