Speaker Positioning


I know from speaker position is critical in achieving the best results from a given system. Is there a dynamic way to measure placement of each speaker to make certain they are the exact same distances from back/side wall, cabinets, seating, etc. beyond a measuring tape and listening to the results? Seems to me if minor differences pay large returns, you could be tinkering with this a long time.  Thanks for the indulgence.  
sj00884

Showing 3 responses by millercarbon

The sweet spot/toe in variable seems to lend itself to almost as much debate; do you adjust sweetness to a single location, or do you compromise to expand the geography? Another personal preference no doubt.

Right. Most speakers will image best pointed almost straight at you. But imaging isn't everything, there's balance and space and width, and no right answers only your personal preference. 

My personal preference is of course amazingly fantastic, but even I cannot tell you how to achieve it via remote control. However wonderfully worded the advice may be it all comes down to you.

Exact measurements become irrelevant when you don't have a bilaterally symetrical room.
 
What? Since when? Exact measurements become irrelevant when you are deaf in one ear. As long as you have two working ears its the distance between them and the speakers that determines imaging. That's why we have two ears. Two eyes, depth perception. Two ears, localization. If you can't localize the predator then guess what? Hey, you! Out of the gene pool!
Short answer: no. Long answer: Because no such thing can be made to work.  

Speaker placement involves a lot of compromises that only you the listener can make. No dynamic AI or whatever is ever going to know exactly what you like. So sorry, but no way of getting around it, you're just going to have to work through it like everyone else.  

The most efficient setup technique I know is the one I have used for like 30+ years. First move the speakers around and listen from different places, listening only for tone and frequency response. Try and find the most even frequency response. If using subs (highly recommended) then forget low bass and pay attention only to the lower midrange on up. Don't spend a lot of time fussing with precision, doesn't hardly matter if the speakers are pointed perfectly or equidistant at all, you're not listening for that, only frequency response. Be sure to move the listening chair around because where you sit has as much effect as where the speakers sit.

Now with the speakers and chair pretty much where you want them take out that tape measure and make sure they are absolutely perfectly equidistant and toed exactly the same. Listen for imaging solidity and stage width and depth. Next toe the speakers in just slightly more. Then toe them out just slightly more. Notice when toed in more the image is more solid, and the sage deep. Toed out the stage is a bit wider and not quite as deep or solid. There is no right or wrong. Its what you like.

When you get what you like you are done. No stupid software. No dopey hardware. Just you, your brain, and your ears. You can be done in an hour. Or devote your life to it. Spoiler alert: devote your life to it and some day you find it doesn't even take an hour.