Never allow objects of furniture to impede the loudspeaker or place objects between the loudspeakers and
the listening position.
Stereo Positioning
The generally accepted norm is that
the loudspeakers should be as far
away from each other as they are from
the listener. This places the listener
and the loudspeakers at the points of
an equilateral triangle.
Well designed horn loudspeakers
have “controlled directivity” - the
dispersion pattern is tailored to
providing the ideal image at the
listener’s ear. This is in contrast to
conventional speakers where the
sound tends to fire off in all directions.
It follows that when correctly sited, the performance of a well designed horn loudspeaker significantly exceeds
that of conventional “direct radiator” loudspeakers.
Because the bass drivers are in a tuned port enclosure, the loudspeakers must be operated away from walls
and specifically corners. The distances in the above diagram should be considered as minimum distances.
Placing them too close to the walls will cause the bass to become bloated, muddy and indistinct.
The angle at which the loudspeakers are placed relative to the rear wall is called
“toe-in”. Placing the loudspeakers with their backs parallel to the wall will result in
a poor stereo image with the so called ”hole in the wall” effect. Angling the
speakers inwardly too much will restrict the width of the listening seat and also
tend to narrow the stereo image.
In smaller rooms, it is better to place the loudspeakers more closely together and sit
relatively further back. This is preferable to placing the loudspeakers further apart
and sitting too close - the stereo effect will be significantly degraded if you do.
The height of the loudspeaker is important. The midrange should appear to radiate from a point level with the
ears of a seated listener. As these loudspeakers are large, they will sound their best in large rooms, though there
are some adjustments that can be made to redress the position in smaller rooms. These will be discussed in the
section on final positioning.
The above are our recommendations. Be prepared to experiment until the sound is exactly as you want!
Positioning Loudspeakers - Stereo
8’ - 16’
>12”
>8”
º
0
4
-
º
5
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