ideal speaker to listening position distance

Norm Apter

I realize that this is a matter of personal preference, but I wanted see what others -- especially those who have done experiementing with speaker position -- feel is an ideal distance between your speakers and your listening position for your 2-channel set-up.

I think that arranging things in living rooms is probably easier than bedrooms because of the common configuration of TV/Entertainment unit up front and sofas centered in rear. Unfortunately, I spend A LOT more time at my desk --which is up against a wall -- in my bedroom, so it just wouldn't make sense to put my 2-channel rig in the living room. I've done some experimenting with my speakers' (Lsi9s) position and have found that if they are too close to me, I am really limited in the volume I can tolerate (in other words, my head will start to hurt at even moderate listening levels). Thus, I'm especially interested to hear from those who have also been navigating the tricky waters of 2-channel bedroom listening. Any thoughts? Does anyone adjust L-R balance to compensate for less than ideal listening configurations?

TNRabbit

It is HIGHLY dependent upon the type of speaker, speaker size, room size. However, I've found the sweet spot to generally lie between an equilateral triangle of you & the two speakers & a few feet behind that spot.

Have you tried a good set of headphones?

Norm Apter

TNRabbit wrote: »

It is HIGHLY dependent upon the type of speaker, speaker size, room size. However, I've found the sweet spot to generally lie between an equilateral triangle of you & the two speakers & a few feet behind that spot.

Have you tried a good set of headphones?

Yes, I had read about the "equilateral triangle" ideal and am sure that it is a good guideline to follow. Unfortunately, it just doesn't seem feasible given the the layout of my room and listening position (i.e. I don't have the space to place my desk in the middle of my room) and thus I'm trying to do the best I can in tough conditions. Right now, there is much more distance between the two speakers than between each of them and me.

As for headphones, yes eventually I want to spring for a pair of Sennheiser-595s. But this would be primarily for late-night listening (to avoid disturbing my wife). During the day, I'd still like to make use of the Lsi9s.

steveinaz

My speakers are about 8ft apart, 9.5ft from my primary listening couch, with a 1/2" of toe-in. I have the benefit of a large room, and good flexibility with placement. The room is actually a "great room" with livingroom, dining room, and kitchen all occupying the same space. Approx 36' x 18' with 12ft vaulted ceilings. The listening area is the first 13ft x 18ft of space. Due to a 45 degree corner fireplace, I couldn't spread my speakers any further out.

TNRabbit

Norm, do you have a diagram of your current layout?

Norm Apter

Well, I don't have a diagram but I just took two pictures in an effort to give a sense of the set up. The length (about 14 ft. Yikes!) between the speakers made it nearly impossible for me to get both in the first pic (I would have needed a wide-angle lens for this, which I don't have). You can just barely make out one part of each speaker on the cental far left and far right portion of the photo. My listening position is the chair. The speakers should be easier to make out in the second photo (I hope the photos come across. I had to paste them to a Word doc and convert to PDF which I've attached since I don't have any URLs to link).

mantis

If you want to hear what your speakers can do , then follow the equal triangle guide lines and you will be cool. Go outside of that and lose performance you will.

All speakers made basically work with in these guide lines. It works well. I have set up thousands of speakers and always find myself going back to the basic rules. They have never done me harm.

If it is not possible to follow the guide lines, then try to get as close as you can. I good place to start is look at both your speakers from your listening position, if you can see the sides of your speakers then you do not have them set up correctly. Set them up so you only see the front of the speaker. This will help alot.

Good luck

organ

See if you can re-arrange the room. Like others have mentioned, I find the equilateral triangle to work out 95% of the time. A laser pointer also helps a lot for toe-in.

Norm Apter

Thanks, guys.

OK, I decided that major re-arrangement is in order (my wife is currently visiting family in Taiwan for two weeks so this is as good a time as any). The crazy thing is that our room is actually triangular-shaped -- not kidding -- but, unfortunately, this does not lend itself to creating that sought-after listening equilateral triangle, when you factor in the other pieces of furniture (i.e. queen-sized bed). Nevertheless, I think I've finally come up with something and have begun to re-arrange accordingly. Looks like I won't be able to achieve the perfect triangle -- the distance between the speakers will be a little shorter than the distance between each of them and myself at listening position -- but this will be preferable, I believe, to the old set-up where the distance between the speakers was about 3 times the distance between them and me. As you might imagine, there was entirely too much separation there (like listening to two mono recordings simultaneously). Will post pics when things are in place....

mantis

Norm Apter wrote: »

Thanks, guys.

OK, I decided that major re-arrangement is in order (my wife is currently visiting family in Taiwan for two weeks so this is as good a time as any). The crazy thing is that our room is actually triangular-shaped -- not kidding -- but, unfortunately, this does not lend itself to creating that sought-after listening equilateral triangle, when you factor in the other pieces of furniture (i.e. queen-sized bed). Nevertheless, I think I've finally come up with something and have begun to re-arrange accordingly. Looks like I won't be able to achieve the perfect triangle -- the distance between the speakers will be a little shorter than the distance between each of them and myself at listening position -- but this will be preferable, I believe, to the old set-up where the distance between the speakers was about 3 times the distance between them and me. As you might imagine, there was entirely too much separation there (like listening to two mono recordings simultaneously). Will post pics when things are in place....

You know sometimes if the room just doesn't allow it, going inceiling might be the way to go man. I have had complete systems in the ceiling and man when properly setup , they sound fantasitc.

Other choice is to choose a better room IF your serious about your performance.

fossy

6ft. -- cause that's all the room i have in the bedroom:D:D

my ears ring ............and ring ........ and ring ... but I love it :rolleyes:

Maybe i think i should start taking over the livin room next ......