Bob Robbins' setup guide

I have been doing this speaker placement method for years, ever since hearing it at RMAF 2007. It is hard to do however, and it took me about 10 years to get it right. And then I sort of wondered why it took me so long.

That locked center image is when you have properly done it, otherwise you are just close but not really there. It is tricky because the locked center image occurs with just a small movement of the second speaker in the procedure.

The Colorado Guy YT video is pretty helpful for certain aspects, and it is recommended. The step guide in AudioAfficianado is very very good.

An alternative way to get the locked center image is to use a mono recording. When you have the locked center image, that image stays in place as you move around the room. It is easier to hear than any stereo recording.

This set up takes a lot of patience and can be physically and mentally exhausting.  When I set up the left speaker I focus on the quality and impact of the bass but also how clean, clear and smooth Jennifers voice is.  You have to go slow and after you find a few good spots you need to move the speaker a millimeter at a time till it sounds best. 

The right speaker may not necessarily end up the same distance from the walls as the left.  You center the image but you also have to pay attention to the bass clarity and smoothness of the vocals.  It will then come together but I have not been able to get the center image to float in the center as well as I would like but may be a limitation of the Klipsch Forte speakers I am using.

I have been shoving speakers around many sound rooms for decades, used the rule of thirds, fifths, sevenths, and used the Cardas set-up.  This Sumiko method seems to make the speakers sound their best but you need to have a lot of patience and a forgiving household.              

I wouldn’t say heavy toe in in at all but due to my room one speaker has more toe in.  Also i do i have some up tilt.  It was weird to watch as once we got the speakers lock into the room for bass it was just back and forth to create a great center image. Then it was just rake up to create the proper height.  
 

if you have good ears and memory w each adjustment it is pretty straight forward.  I just get lost in all of the changes so i had the master come in and set mine.  
 

follow the instructions and take your time.  Things will snap into focus. 

That's great @offbrandracing would you be able to describe the setup in greater detail, and your observations related to center image and overall soundstage? Did you end up with heavy toe-in and/or rake on the speakers?

I have had bob set two sets of speakers for me.  The process works great and I was more than please with his work.  If you can follow the process than give it a try!

@nixanthrope 

I use a type of speaker very few people know what to do with, an 8 foot tall, line source dipole.

Whatever works best for you. 

Bob who?

All the best,
Nonoise

@mijostyn Don’t knock it till you try it. The express purpose of this approach is to optimize placement of the speakers you have within the room that you have BEFORE resorting to more expensive if not more BS-y upgrades in the hobby. It costs nothing and is illuminating.

Here’s his RMAF presentation to anyone who might be interested:

There is no such thing as a "locked center image"which is a sure sign Bob Whatever does not know what an image is or how to listen. There is no end to the BS surrounding this hobby.

Hi OP, I’ve attempted this Bob Robbins slash Sumiko method a couple of times and it seems to work pretty well, but what has always eluded me is Robbins’s description of a locked center image between the speakers that doesn’t move regardless of your listening position.

Just recently I’ve taken a stab at achieving this in earnest and am happy that I’ve got my speakers so that the image stays put SOMEWHAT. I’m not getting this religious experience people talk about when the two speakers are perfectly locked with a 26 foot wide soundstage, though it does sound pretty good. At this level a single millimeter of movement on the second speaker makes a difference so more trial and error is needed. 
 

I’d be curious if anyone else has achieved this perfectly locked center image in their setups? Was it the result of extremely subtle movement and did it deliver an epiphany?

BTW, thanks to the OP for bringing this to our attention.

Here's a link:

The Art of Rational Speaker Placement

Bob who?