2. amps-preamps
  3. 187912-150037

Is toeing speakers a bad idea?

I was toeing in my speakers and that seemed like a good thing to do. But then I decided to de-toe the speakers. I was hoping that the speakers dispersed things well enough and maybe they don't need to be focused so much to create a so-called sweet spot.

I found the imaging in the room was a lot better and sound improved. The room is a rectangular room and the speakers are placed at one end of the room about 3 feet from the wall. Room sizes 17 x 23 with a 7 ceiling. Maybe someone can share some rationale for this.  I feel the sound waves may spread out better and not be so disturbed when they collide in a so called sweet spot near my skull.

emergingsoul
puptent's avatar
puptent
191 posts
 

I'm constantly, it seems, moving speakers around. About the only constant is tweeters at, or very near, ear level.  I tried to convince my wife experimentation was good.... didn't work with her either

james633
1,025 posts
 

Not enough toe in can hurt the center focus (phantom center) and you can also lose detail in the highs above 10k. Too much toe in narrows soundstage. 

emergingsoul OP
1,137 posts
 

There are many of us who can't hear above 10k. We live a difficult life.

agisthos
506 posts
 

Almost every speaker I have had sounded best with only a slight toe-in. Certainly not pointing at the listener. More air, more soundstage and openness. This was in different rooms, different distance, e.t.c it didn't matter.

Perhaps this is a listener preference of mine.

Others may prefer the closed in focused sound that toeing gives you.

mashif
244 posts
 

I find it an interesting exercise to use a calibrated mic and RTA to see what effect my toe in has on frequency distribution. I go both ways. Use the RTA to find best position and listen. Or use my ears and then see what the distribution is. Just for fun. 

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