New speaker placement

If that's the speaker placement used when you listen to 2-channel, then the systeam can't possibly sound its best. I'll bet that they need to be closer to rear wall, potentially further apart and towed-in. Seldom should they be equadistant from the rear wall because the SPL will differ on either side, due to room differences beyond the speakers.

A Sumiko Master Set will move you from enjoying 80% of the system's potential to close to 100%. You'll be amazed. People here seem to think I'm crazy when I talk about the Master Set, but IMHO it's the most cost effective thing that you can do.

Yes, that room does look pretty lively. You may benefit from some absorbtion on the sides and in front of the speakers on the floor, BUT you've got to set the speakers first before you add room treatments.

Dave

No one can tell you where to place you speakers by looking at a picture or drawing of your room. It's a waste of time and effort.

Seriously consider a Sumiko speaker set. See this thread for more insight:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?rspkr&1197744079&openusid&zzDcstep&4&5#Dcstep

Dave

Well, the only additional thing that I didn't already mention is that they probably need to be tilted back a little. Once you get them set for decent bass and midrange, small changes in the rake will open up the imaging amazingly.

The real problem will be when you move them back toward the rear wall the bass will bloom to the point that it overwhelms and thickens the mids. However, if you work with small movements in and out, being very patient over an hour or so, you can find a point that boosts the bass to where it belongs and doesn't ruin the midrange. 1/4" movements are important.

BTW, you do this one speaker at a time. Start with the left and point the right way off-axis toward the outer wall so that it doesn't influence your set of the left speaker. After you're happy with the left speaker then do the same process with the right speaker. Don't assume that the distance of the left speaker will indicate the distance from the wall for the right speaker. Start with it only about 6" from the rear wall.

You need a reocrd with a lot of accurate bass content AND a lot of vocal content, preferably without much else. Sumiko uses Rob Wasserman's "Duets" with Jennifer Warnes singing "Ballad of the Runaway Horse."

Find a Sumiko dealer, looking for someone carrying Sonus Faber or Vienna Acoustics. Not all, but most are trained by Sumiko to do the set. Hopefully there'll be a DVD later this year to help the DIYers try it. Expect to pay if you're not otherwise a customer.

See my review under Reviews for more about the results. It's not easy because there's some ear training involved and a process to follow, that I've only grossly outlined having observed it once.

Dave

01-22-08: Dbphd siad:
"Doesn't having a TV between your speakers reduce imaging?"

Probably not, IF the set is done with the TV in place to compensate. I have an armoire between my speakers and it "disappears" with the speakers in the right place.

Dave