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Quad 2805 Toe In Experience?

I am just breaking in my new pair of 2805's. I have never had Quads or any electrostats before...always dynamic driver speakers. While they only have about 20 hours on them, I think they are going to be excellent...everything I hoped for!

They are about 4.5' out from the front wall, about 10' apart (from speaker centers) and about 9' from speaker to listening seat. My listening room is 16' X 13' with a 9' ceiling. The speakers are about 1.5' from each side wall and there is diffusion on the side walls and behind the listening seat.

My question is how much should I toe them in? I am looking for the right balance of image specificity and soundstage width. Right now they are toed in about 1/2 way between firing straight ahead and directly pointing at the listening position.

I plan to do much more experimenting. But before I install the spikes, I would greatly appreciate learning from others experience with Quads.

Thanks,

Dave
tricon_dave

Showing 3 responses by sunnyboy1956

sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956
424 posts
 
Hi Dave. My pair of Quad 2905s are about 2 months old in a room of almost similar dimensions. The ultimate positioning and toe in, will IMHO require a bit of to and fro experimentation until you are completely satisfied. I've yet to settle on the optimum placement. I have spiked my Quads and placed them on a 1" granite base which is easy to manoeuvre on a hardwood floor. If you you have a carpet floor you can achieve the same result with a 1 1/2" thick wooden board.
Currently, the 2905s are toed in about 10 degrees. The centres of the speakers intersect about 2 ft. behind the listening position. What I am unable to figure out is the optimum distance from the front wall. The more the better will not work coz of furniture and other limitations.
What amplification and source are you using ?
Cheers
Sunnyboy 1956
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956
424 posts
 
I am using a pair of Lyrita audio mono blocs. They are made by a friend in New Delhi, India, where I live. You have probably not heard of them. They use a pair of EL34s. Check them out at www.lyrita-audio.in/ I have ordered thru the Indian dealer a Conrad Johnson CT 5 pre and a CJ L70s. Have read great reviews of the CT5 but the power amp is a new iteration /design of the Premier 140. Just hope the combo works. The lyrita mono blocs sound great but at less than 50wpc into 8 ohms, they lack the juice to drive the Quads.
Best of luck.
sunnyboy1956's avatar
sunnyboy1956
424 posts
 
Hi Papak,
My dealer demoed the 2905s in a room that was less than 14'wide. My listening room is also 14'wide and I am getting solid LFE, not in the Wilson Audio sense, but still deeply satisfying. IMHO its the distance from the front wall that is really important. With a room length of 20' I reckon you should be more than ok. Before you take the plunge, check with your dealer as suggested by Dave.
The Quads are sensitive to being fed too many watts.They actually discourage amps in excess of 100 wpc. You can go upto 150 wpc but caution is urged in the Quad manual.
Njoy the journey.
PS. These are outstanding speakers
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