I think that the equilateral triangle "rule" is a guideline...a starting point and that its "ok" to be further back at 138" depending on what you are ultimately trying to achieve. As you know, moving the right speaker to the left, even a couple inches, can have a pretty big effect on the soundstage as can toe in and toe out as can moving the speakers back toward the rear wall a couple inches. My suggestion is to find a musical cut that really showcases the elements you are ultimately looking for be it huge left right soundstage....or depth over width...or voice/instrument placement within (granted we would all like to have them all) and then have someone help you by doing slight speaker position changes playing that cut over and over. Then after you have found the perfect spot, live with it for a week, put some tape on the floor, make a few very tiny tweaks and if things get worse, you know where you started and if they get better, then all the better.
Speaker Placement Priority - wall clearance or perfect equilateral
I have a pair of Wilson Sophia 2’s, and after the hurricane (moved them temporarily on higher ground) I have not yet repositioned then properly.
if I do the perfect equilateral triangle thing, because my listening position is not super close, they will have to be spread wider, and this not have as much clearance from the side wall. Or, I can get relatively close to equalizing the sizes of the triangle, with listening position a bit longer than the space between, and maintain more clearance from the side wall.
Current measurements:
Distance between speakers measured ocenter to center: 105 inches
Distance between tweeter and ear in the listening position: 138 inches
Distance between right speaker and right side wall, measured from the center of the top of the speaker: 29.5 inches
The left speaker has no left side wall, it’s open To the adjoining room.
I don’t even think I can get to 138 inches of separation between the two speakers. Without trouble I can move each speaker 10 inches further from center, which would put me at about 125 inches apart, and still 138 inches to the listening position.
At that point, that right side wall is getting a little close... So measurements notwithstanding, where do you think the priority lies: perfect equilateral positioning or clearance of sidewall?
if you have any specific recommendations based on my measurements, that’s even better! You can see a picture of the set up in general in my virtual system page, though the current setup is slightly moved.
if I do the perfect equilateral triangle thing, because my listening position is not super close, they will have to be spread wider, and this not have as much clearance from the side wall. Or, I can get relatively close to equalizing the sizes of the triangle, with listening position a bit longer than the space between, and maintain more clearance from the side wall.
Current measurements:
Distance between speakers measured ocenter to center: 105 inches
Distance between tweeter and ear in the listening position: 138 inches
Distance between right speaker and right side wall, measured from the center of the top of the speaker: 29.5 inches
The left speaker has no left side wall, it’s open To the adjoining room.
I don’t even think I can get to 138 inches of separation between the two speakers. Without trouble I can move each speaker 10 inches further from center, which would put me at about 125 inches apart, and still 138 inches to the listening position.
At that point, that right side wall is getting a little close... So measurements notwithstanding, where do you think the priority lies: perfect equilateral positioning or clearance of sidewall?
if you have any specific recommendations based on my measurements, that’s even better! You can see a picture of the set up in general in my virtual system page, though the current setup is slightly moved.