Newbee is right. Setting up stats is no walk in the park - it's more like a marathon. The tweaking of my stats included (1) proper toe-in (2) room lenses (3) as much distance from the back wall as possible (4) locating and dampening reflection points around the room (5) buying a powerful high current/ high voltage amplifier (6) countless others.
When my stats were toed-in toward my listening chair, the beaminess was instantly piercing and painful. After much ado (for my room), I have finally settled on my speakers toed-in so that the 'intersection' of the (direct) sound waves meet at about 4 1/2 ft behind my listening chair. The flashight trick is a great way to find this intersection. At 4 1/2 ft. behind your listening chair, aim the flashlight at the center point between the two speakers, then have someone toe-in each speaker so that you can see the light reflecting in the mylar of each of the panels. Then return to your listening chair and evaluate if you like placement. If not, keep playing around until you find a toe-in that works for your room and listening position. This process works better with flat panel stats - easiest when done at night.
I agree that reflection/dampening panels can suck the life out of the music. Room lenses have worked great for me behind the speakers - far better than the heavy dampening material. If you're patient, Argent Room Lenses show up now and then on Audiogon. If not, try building Jon Risch's DIY room lenses. They'll work almost as well and only cost $50 plus your time to build 3 sets. Then, use a material that is not heavily absorptive on the wall behind the room lenses.
Good luck! It's an adventure.
When my stats were toed-in toward my listening chair, the beaminess was instantly piercing and painful. After much ado (for my room), I have finally settled on my speakers toed-in so that the 'intersection' of the (direct) sound waves meet at about 4 1/2 ft behind my listening chair. The flashight trick is a great way to find this intersection. At 4 1/2 ft. behind your listening chair, aim the flashlight at the center point between the two speakers, then have someone toe-in each speaker so that you can see the light reflecting in the mylar of each of the panels. Then return to your listening chair and evaluate if you like placement. If not, keep playing around until you find a toe-in that works for your room and listening position. This process works better with flat panel stats - easiest when done at night.
I agree that reflection/dampening panels can suck the life out of the music. Room lenses have worked great for me behind the speakers - far better than the heavy dampening material. If you're patient, Argent Room Lenses show up now and then on Audiogon. If not, try building Jon Risch's DIY room lenses. They'll work almost as well and only cost $50 plus your time to build 3 sets. Then, use a material that is not heavily absorptive on the wall behind the room lenses.
Good luck! It's an adventure.