Voice and instrument image bunched in the middle??


Playing with speaker placement in hopes of improving focus and image placement etc etc along the width of the soundstage. Voices and instruments seem to be all bunched up in the middle of the soundstage. At wits end...can't seem to get an improvement. Too close to side walls? Too much or too little toe in? Speakers too near or far apart?

Any suggestions?
pc123v
For everyone's info, the OP indicated in another thread that the room is only 10 x 14 x 10, and the walls are concrete. Also, the Hyperion 938 speakers are certainly substantial in size.
Voices and instruments seem to be all bunched up in the middle of the soundstage....

Trying to get my system to image better...tighter focus.
These two statements seem somewhat contradictory. Imaging that is unfocused (i.e., vague, diffuse, hard to localize) suggests that the speakers are connected out of phase relative to each other (i.e., with + and - reversed on ONE speaker). Imaging that is tightly bunched up in the center suggests that the connections are correct, but that your left ear is hearing too much sound from the right speaker, and your right ear is hearing too much sound from the left speaker. Given your room configuration, that is undoubtedly being contributed to by room reflections, and possibly also by listening from too great a distance relative to the distance between the speakers.

Assuming that your connections are correct, and that the issues are not due to the particular recordings you are listening to, it could be that the only satisfactory solutions would be either treating the room very heavily, or changing to different (and most likely smaller) speakers.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al
Pcv123v, Hyperions 938 deliver excellent imaging in my room. My room is roughy 16'x 24'with speakers on long wall. Perhaps you need to defeat reflections in you room. Try placing something fuzzy on side walls. Use mirror on the wall to pinpoint exact position where you can see the speaker from listening position. It is also possible that speakers are too large for the room, as Al suggested, but it would be a loss to get rid of speakers that are known for excellent imaging (not to mention wonderful midrange).
Please describe your room dimensions H,W,D and measurements of your layout. Measure from side and rear walls and to each other using the tweeter location as your measuring point. Advise where your equipment is placed. Also any room treatment or major features. If you provide the info this Audiogon gang will help you.
Hi Guys,

Thanks for your help everyone. @Ptss...here goes. Tweeter(all measurements taken from front of speaker) distance from side wall...24 inches. Tweeter distance from front wall...45 inches. Very slight toe-in...around 1 inch. 24" x 48" corner bass traps in front wall corners. Temporary placement of 2 inch foam cushions...approx 24" x 60" on each side of side walls (1st reflection points). Drapes (not thick)...front wall covering windows (3 windows). It's a bedroom...10W x 14D x 10H. Speakers on short wall. Equipment on a 2 tier rack between speakers. Single bed flushed against back wall. Speakers approx 6' apart (measured from tweeter to tweeter)...same distance from listening position. Small desk flushed against the right side wall (after listening position).

@Almarg...eg...if a recording has the voice in the center...piano on the right and guitar on the left of the stage. My speakers will throw a soundstage with all 3 images around the center. Images are not razor sharp but it's good enough for me at the moment.

@Kijanki...are your 938s on outriggers? Have you heard them with the Hyperion HT-88 monos?

Thanks again!