2. speakers
  3. 131397-8792

Why are tweeters so high off of the ground in many tower speakers...

...when most peoples ears are much lower when seated??

I've read many times that the tweeter should be at approximately ear level.  Well, I am 6 feet tall, and sitting straight up on my couch my ears are about 40 inches off the floor, lower of course if slouch.  My Artemis - Eos speakers have the tweeters at 45 inches high, so not too bad, but many others that I've seen are 50 inches high and more and I don't understand the designer's thinking.   Is a 10 - 12 inch difference in height acceptable or should the speaker be tilted down, which I think would create a whole new set of issues.
aigenga

Showing 4 responses by dlcockrum

dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
A competently designed speaker will use the vertical dispersion characteristics of the tweeter (and upper midrange) drivers to great advantage to provide realistic and natural perceived height of performers and instruments in the soundstage as well as critical tonal impact at an ear height that should be specified and adhered to.

I built a podium for my listening sofa to sit upon to achieve this as it was too low without and I suspect this is an issue in many such situations.

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
There ya go, kalali. :)

I learned the same info (yet different height of 36") from JA’s measurements of my CS5i’s and it made all the difference when I boosted my sofa to achieve exactly that height.

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Actually that is not always true. Depends on the speaker. Multiple high/high-mid frequency drivers for instance. How about the Tekton Lore? You would have to sit on the floor. Best to determine by measurements but short of that listening tests.

Dave
dlcockrum's avatar
dlcockrum
2,190 posts
 
Can't argue with that, shadorne, but I wonder how many of us are overlooking this free/low cost opportunity to achieve better sound quality and instead spending big $$ on fixes that have negative consequences...

Dave
More to discover