In reality there can only be one ultimate listening position where phase, timing and frequency response are all correct. Everything changes as you move about. Some systems are better off axis than others but none are perfect off axis.
All systems are going to have a spot where they sound best but very few are going to have an ultimate listening position where phase, timing and frequency response are all correct. Phase is easy. All you have to do is be equidistant from both loudspeakers, timing depends entirely on the design of the speakers unless you have subwoofers which make things more complicated. Frequency response is the big outlier. It can literally be all over the place. You are lucky to get it within +- 10 dB at the listening position. Most but not all of the trouble is below 150 Hz. This is the variable that at first listen makes systems sound so different. It also makes bass difficult to evaluate.
The three variables are easy to measure and adjustments can usually be made to optimize them if you have digital signal processing. If you do not then you are stuck with whatever your speakers do in the room you have which may be good but it will never be optimal. I do not know about everyone, but I can not get a system running optimally by just using my ears. You can get a great measurement system $300 plus your computer.
IMHO this is the best way to get the optimal performance out of any system and the best listening position. Ultimately, you should just hear individual instrument and voices, not loudspeakers.
All systems are going to have a spot where they sound best but very few are going to have an ultimate listening position where phase, timing and frequency response are all correct. Phase is easy. All you have to do is be equidistant from both loudspeakers, timing depends entirely on the design of the speakers unless you have subwoofers which make things more complicated. Frequency response is the big outlier. It can literally be all over the place. You are lucky to get it within +- 10 dB at the listening position. Most but not all of the trouble is below 150 Hz. This is the variable that at first listen makes systems sound so different. It also makes bass difficult to evaluate.
The three variables are easy to measure and adjustments can usually be made to optimize them if you have digital signal processing. If you do not then you are stuck with whatever your speakers do in the room you have which may be good but it will never be optimal. I do not know about everyone, but I can not get a system running optimally by just using my ears. You can get a great measurement system $300 plus your computer.
IMHO this is the best way to get the optimal performance out of any system and the best listening position. Ultimately, you should just hear individual instrument and voices, not loudspeakers.