perfect placement for your speakers

I think I see your problem. I'm not too familiar with your speakers so I did a search for them just out of curiosity. Unless I didn't look up the right speaker, it shows yours as having a single 12 inch driver per cabinet, and nothing else. On top of that, they appear to be vintage. Given the design and age of the speakers, I don't think you can expect the same type of imaging that you would get from a modern pair of speakers. Given the fact that I've never heard your speakers, I could very well be wrong, but I thought it worth mentioning. I know you tried other components with your speakers and got the same results. I think you need to try some other speakers. For testing purposes, all you would need is a cheap pair of bookshelf speakers. Maybe borrow a pair from a friend. You won't need them for more than a few minutes. If it is your speakers giving you the problem, you'll know right away.

Your link did not work for me.
My question is just how far apart are the speakers? Have you tried closing the distance maybe 6 inches at a time?

Call Jim Smith of 'Better Sound'. Jim explains and does all.

Try to get the XLO Test CD, there are some tracks to align the speakers in YOUR area. It is a very good tool.

Chris,

Yes this is Nordost test Cd. The in phase vocal should be between the speakers. It may not be in front of you but between the speakers and perhaps back of the speakers in the center. The out of phase track is thin sounding and diffused with the vocal not being centered

You need to list your system. Not just the components, but cables, tweaks and anything else that's part of it. Also, I would still try reversing the cables on 1 speaker. It will only take a minute and depending on how it sounds, you may get some useful info.

TO Zd542:

I got these gears a while ago so have only listened to a couple of pop songs.Yet, I also tried the testing CD by Nordost besides the XLO one and the same results - can't get a focused image, sound is coming from the front only.

I have also tried hooking the speakers with my brand new CD receiver and the results the same! Does it mean it has to do with the speakers?

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for the overwhelming replies.

In response to some of you, here's the layout of my listening room. Due to computer graphic limitation, I couldn't draw the speakers in a toed in position, yet they are toed in approximately 15 - 20 degrees.

http://s1152.photobucket.com/users/chris983/media/layout/smyroomlayout_zpsa97dc7f9.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I've tried to draw in a close proportional as possible to my actual room measurements. Yet, if in doubt, the figures in the layout should apply. Regarding the material inequality on each side of the walls, I have hung up curtains covering all the windows and glass door so they will reflect sound waves in a roughly similiar fashion as the wooden walls.

Still, I can't get a tightly focused image of the voice, not even close. What I get is a very general voice from the front plane. The speakers didn't disappear completely. Yet, as I listened to the out of phase track, the sound obviously does not come from any particular side/ direction of the room;instead, the sound comes from everywhere in the room. So it's obvious that the out of phase sounds right.

You mean this one?
http://www.nordost.com/products/accessories/test-cd/test-cd.php

I forgot to ask if this problem only happens when you play the test CD, or does it happen on all CD's?

You should hear the voice totally centered and sharply focused. You shouldn't need absolutely perfect (to the inch) placement to hear that. If you don't, something is wrong somewhere. I assume you are sitting equidistant from both speakers, right?

" The out of phase voice is thin sounding and kind of floats around your ears. You should be able to tell the difference using the method Zd542 mentioned."

On a recording that normally has a very strong, vocal center image when everything is in phase, will sound like its coming from one of the side walls. You can't miss it.

Chris,

The Nordost test disc actually plays an in phase and an out of phase voice. The in phase voice is in the center with appropriate base. The out of phase voice is thin sounding and kind of floats around your ears. You should be able to tell the difference using the method Zd542 mentioned.

Go to one of your speakers and reverse the cables at the binding post. + to -, and - to +. See if that helps. But just make sure that you only switch the cables on one speaker only, and not both.