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 2 responses by zapped1

Ported vs Non-ported/ proximity to walls, and of course your drivers sensitivity, 2 way, 3 way; crossover components.....these are but a few that will all affect your listening pleasure. Ultimately, it comes down to your ears.Oh yeah, forgot to mention, vinyl/lossless(cd media), streaming device(s). 

As you can see it is a rabbit hole🤔

 

I've seen tape on the floor in order to get the pentultimate position for speakers. There are equations to determine"the best", but like I said in the last post, YOUR EARS WILL TELL YOU WHEN ALL THE VARIBLES ARE "PERFECT"