How important is speaker positioning?My experience

System:
CAL Icon Mk II -> Sonic Frontiers SFL1 -> Classe 15 -> Thiel 1.2.

I have had this system for 8 years now, the only new
components being Classe 15 (2.5 yrs now), and cabling
(MIT IC's, speaker cable from Frank at www.signalcable.com).

Every change improved the sound somewhat, but I could never
listen to the system for a long time -- always ended up with
listener fatigue on any CDs that could even remotely
sound like that (fortunately, I listen a lot to Indian
vocal classical music where that is not so much an issue). I have moved several times, and the present room is
17'6" x 13'8". I painstakingly adjusted the
speakers about 3' from the side wall, and 3'6" from the
front wall, along the short wall. The soundstage snapped
into focus, and things sounded better, but the same problem
-- listener fatigue came very quick.

Then last week, I was looking at the Audio Physic website
(www.immediasound.com/AudioPhysic.html), and came across
their theory on speaker placement. To my surprise, there
was more to it than just place the speakers in the middle
of the room, and sit with back against the wall (ludicrous,
in my opinion). I will not go into
details (you can get them from the website if you are not
already aware of them), but I ended up placing the speakers
about 3'6" from sides and 4' from the front wall, and I
listen from my futon placed against the back wall (where it
always has been).

Well, I have been thinking of buying new speakers, but I am
in no rush now. The system is actually laid back now with
NO listener fatigue. I played music almost continuously for
4-5 hours today -- music other than Indian classical, and
cannot wait to get back to listening again as soon as I am
done typing this rather rambling post. I just wanted to
share my experience because I am elated. Just tells you how
important speaker positioning is. And I realized that to
an extent I needed hand holding through the placement. This
is the first document I have come across that does that.

Thanks for listening.

--amit
(Amit Mathur)