My system is not set up optimally, I'll admit. It is a compromise called a marriage. Yes, I have a low boy credenza between my speakers, and a 50 inch flat screen TV sitting atop. To me, my system sounds pretty darn good. The best that it can possibly sound? I doubt it. However, I have taken the time to properly set up the speakers, toe in, height, proximity to rear wall, listening position, some diy acoustical treatments, a mix of hard and soft surfaces/ furnishings, etc etc.....I've done the best I can possibly do in my current situation and room. I'm pretty well content.
Speaker positioning: why do audiophiles neglect this so much?
Went to a recent seminar featuring Jim Smith, well known author of the book "Get Better Sound" and hi fi set up guru.
The basic gist of the discussion was that the most important elements of a high end stereo installation are listening position and speaker positioning, in that order. The actual hardware (speakers, amplifiers, source, cables etc) are of less importance relatively speaking.
Yet it is clear from this web site and it's contents, that set up is discussed much less than the actual hardware.
When I look at the Virtual Systems page on site, I'm estimating that, maybe, 10% of the systems posted are close to well set up. Thus, hardly any of the featured hardware is performing close to it's maximum potential.
Shame, and why is it so? Not sexy enough to talk about system set up in depth? Lack of knowledge? Or is it simply too hard to do and too complex a subject?
Just my 2 cents ...