2. speakers
  3. 175748-87559

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 ...

bobbydd

Showing 1 response by skyscraper

skyscraper
832 posts
 

Is there anyplace online where basic guides mentioned throughout this thread on speaker placement, room acoustics, and related subjects are delineated? I read up on this when I first got my new system and meant to get a book or two, but never got around to it. If there was a good guide online somewhere to be followed, or maybe even a Youtube video, it would be interesting to revisit this subject.

Especially something with information on how to optimize performance within the limits of a furnished, existing listening space. It would also be interesting to figure out how much more performance could be wrung out of your current set-up or how far from optimal it’s currently operating at.

When purchasing my system I wondered about how much getting a pre or integrated amp with room acoustic software like the Lyngdorf would compensate for room deficiencies and improve the listening experience.

Good thread.

Mike

More to discover