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Meadowlark Shearwater vertical orientation.

A couple of nights ago I was listening to Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark" and stood up in the middle of a song. The image focus and clarity seemed much better standing. It started me thinking about the vertical angle of the baffles when I decided to check how level the speakers were. I put a level against the back of the speakers and was surprised to note how far tilted back they were, especially the left speaker.
I got out a pair of wrenches and leveled the speakers. The difference in the sound while seated in the listening chair is amazing. I've listened to "Court and Spark" three times now just to ensure it wasn't my imagination. The soundstage is wider, the image is focused, the sound is more alive. Didn't realize what I was missing.
If you are listening to these wonderful speakers and haven't checked their tilt, put a level against the back to make sure they're straight. It's worth checking.
timrhu
timrhu OP
2,779 posts
 
Hey Doug,
Nice to hear from you again. As for acoustic panels, check systems belonging to Boa2 and Kehut. They have pics of acoustic panels on dispal. Boa2's panels are inline with what I intend to build as soon as my deck is finished.
As for the sloped baffles, they are designed to provide time alignment of the speakers. The tweeter is placed at the same distance from the listener as the center of the woofer to ensure the sound from both drivers is coincidental.
I did try tilting them forward slightly but brought them back to the upright position. By the way, Vandersteen uses the same principal. I agree with Tobias when he says keeping the listening position well off the ground is an advantage.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Tim,
Yes, I'll definitely look at those other systems for their sound treatments...
Yes, I get the time alignment thing, but Vandersteen doesn't tilt the axis of the driver like Shearwaters.
If you did tilt the speakers forward but brought them back to upright position because you didn't hear any distinct advantage, then possibly the reason you're liking what you hear when you stand up is due to the reflected sound coming off the ceiling. Possibly that effect is stronger closer to the ceiling and makes the speaker sound "fuller". Effects like that can be very subtle but pleasing. Just a guess.
timrhu OP
2,779 posts
 
Doug, you could be right about the reflection from the ceiling although the sound is cleaner with better image clarity, not what would be expected if reflections are the cause.
As for the Vandersteens, take a look at their web page. The 1C in particular has the drivers configured on a slope. Not a baffle as Meadowlark but they are tiled on a slope. Same principle.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Tim, yes, looked at the Vandersteen pics and it shows the midrange on the slant. Looks like the tweeter is more upright.
It would be interesting to hear from someone who can explain why this is supposed to be preferable to facing the driver straight ahead.
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