speaker placement help


My room is 13'x18'x11'high. I have my speakers on the short wall 6 feet into the room and about 33 and 1/2 inches into the room from the side walls. The room is rectangular and I have the speakers perfectly symetrical.My question is that should my listening position be an equilateral point from the distance of the speakers or is it OK to have my listening position 1 and 1/2 the distance of the speakers back towards the back wall therefore having my listening position at the back wall as opposed to three feet from the back wall.I've tried both ways and find I get a better bass response with the listening position at the back wall but some say it's good to have distance between your listening position and the back wall and others say it's OK to be at the back wall.Any help would be appreciated!!!
128x128mitchb
Forget what anyone says, and locate your seat where the music sounds the best to you. Remember there are exceptions to every rule...
When I place my listening position equilateral from the distance of the soeakers from each other I get a wider sound stage but when I move the couch 31" back to the back wall I get a lower bass response which I like. Is it important to have the listening position equilateral to the distance of the speakers or can the listening position be 1 and 1/2 times the distance of the speakers and therefor right at the back wall? Thanks
Most speakers work best with the listening position somewhere in the area of 1 to 1.5 times the distance between the speakers. This is a generalization because there are no iron-clad rules. As you have noted, each position will involve a set of trade-offs and it is for you to decide which set you prefer.
Since you enjoy sound in this position (at least for now) why not stop worrying and listen to music!

The most "correct", as in reproduction of the original, is when you are away from room boundaries & thereby reduce the effects of wall reflections. Reflected sounds are time delayed vs the source, and not in phase with the fundamental sound, generally muddling imaging, clarity, etc. Speakers are usefully 65-75 degrees apart, from listening position. In conclusion, watch out for an isosceles triangle -- but don't worry too much about the equilateral. Cheers