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Speaker toe-in & stereo imaging

Recommendations seem to range from turning the front LR speakers to face the prime listening area directly to slightly turning the speakers in toward the prime listening area. What do you use, or is this question too speaker specific?

I'm going to be using a pair of bi-wired KEF Reference 104/2s for the front LR speakers, along with a pair of Velodyne HGS-10 subs crossing over at 50 Hz.

db
donbellphd
4yanx
1,576 posts
 
Rives, your website has grown and improved substantially since last I visited (which has admittedly been some time). Thanks for providing a nice resource.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
I think you're correct to assume that this would be speaker specific, but as others have mentioned don't limit yourself strictly to the manufacturer's recommendations either.

I have three different pairs of ProAc speakers and in their manuals they recommend toeing in the speakers so that only the front baffles are visible from the listening position. I've found this set up to yield a very precise center image without sounding bright, but I have always preferred to have them angled out a bit so that I can see roughly an inch of each speaker's inner sides. In my room, this creates a wider soundstage without sacrificing focus very much.

I've heard 104/2s facing straight out and wondered if toe-in would help them. I also felt that they needed a sub. How is the HGS working with them?
eldartford
4,262 posts
 
Where a loudspeaker has a line array configuration, like a Magnepanar, and the tweeter section is on the outside, (per Magnepanar instructions) this has the effect of toe in, so you may want to keep the speakers physically straight. But then I have heard some people say that they like their Maggies with the tweeters inside, which would be toed out. Go figure.
rockvirgo
587 posts
 
When I ran Uni-Q equipped KEF's, zero toe-in provided locked in, pinpoint imaging across and within the soundstage. Watching the KEF's images was almost as much fun as listening! Toed in, the KEF's treble seemed a little too much in my face.
donbellphd OP
205 posts
 
Thanks for the informative responses. I do not yet have the pair of 104/2s (they are being shipped), and have never heard these speakers. I bought the pair based on reviews I've read, and on experience with my four 102/2s and 100C. I really like the sound of my bi-wired 102/2s and 100C, and they blend seamlessly with my Velodyne HGS-10. I realize that the 104/2s do not have the Uni-Q HF driver, whereas the 102/2s do. Even though the pair of 104/2s are said to be late serial number bi-wired units, I doubt they will come with a manual. I plan to add a second HGS-10, and a techie at KEF suggested setting the crossover at 50 Hz -- I use 80 Hz with the 102/2s.

db
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