Polk SDA Set Up/Room too large?

Texas42

I’ve read on the basic set up for Polk SDA speakers and am currently looking at the possibility of picking up a pair of the larger SDA speakers. I’m concerned my listening position might be too far back (from the speakers) to take advantage of the SDA impact. I have a large family room these would be in. Room dimensions are 21’ long by 17’ wide. Speakers would be about 4’ feet from the back wall and side walls and out in the room. Speakers would be about 6-7’ (inside of cabinet to inside of cabinet) apart and about 15’ from the listening position. I’m wondering if the SDA effect would be minimized unless I am more equidistant from the speakers (say 8-10 feet away since the speakers would be 6-8 feet apart). Hope this makes sense. Any suggestions or anyone else have SDAs in a large room or sits back a ways from them that can comment?

pitdogg2

4' from the back wall is going to affect bass in a big way. They do much better closer to the back wall. 4"-6" is recommended.

Texas42

If I put them closer to the wall that will increase the distance of the speaker to the listening position.

pitdogg2

Texas42 wrote: »

If I put them closer to the wall that will increase the distance of the speaker to the listening position.

Being a sealed design they need the rear wall to reinforce the low end. That far into the room could diminish low end to almost nil.
That was the problem I ran across when the big boys came out. Audio stores treated them like normal speakers (which they are not). I came away disliking them with a disdain, they made every instrument sound 10'tall/long. Once I heard a pair set up properly I had to have some. It's a night and day difference.

Texas42

Sounds like I should pass on them as I’m not sure how well they would fill a room or image from 18 feet away.

audioluvr

Move your listening position. Do you want to enjoy the music properly or want it to look pretty?

nooshinjohn

Texas42 wrote: »

I’ve read on the basic set up for Polk SDA speakers and am currently looking at the possibility of picking up a pair of the larger SDA speakers. I’m concerned my listening position might be too far back (from the speakers) to take advantage of the SDA impact. I have a large family room these would be in. Room dimensions are 21’ long by 17’ wide. Speakers would be about 4’ feet from the back wall and side walls and out in the room. Speakers would be about 6-7’ (inside of cabinet to inside of cabinet) apart and about 15’ from the listening position. I’m wondering if the SDA effect would be minimized unless I am more equidistant from the speakers (say 8-10 feet away since the speakers would be 6-8 feet apart). Hope this makes sense. Any suggestions or anyone else have SDAs in a large room or sits back a ways from them that can comment?

I had 1.2TL’s set up in a 19x15 for space, with the listening position 11 feet off the front plane of the speakers. They sat 7 feet apart on the long wall and they were amazing, to the point they could overpower the room with ease. Your space will not be an issue whatsoever if you are willing to set them up as they should be. Distance from the back wall and side walls are very important.

Pictures of the space will help us help you.