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 1 response by timlub

I needed to research your speakers before chiming in.... Well, these have 1st order slopes and the rolloff is very minimal.  Unless you are fairly far away from your speakers,  pointing them downward would slightly increase the frequencies of both drivers around the crossover point. They would most likely sound peaky. 
Normal ear height is 38 to 48 inches,  when I build,  I design for this height. Also,  you want the sensitive frequencies of 800hz through around 3k centered at your ear.  These frequencies on your speakers are all coming from your woofer.  So if your ear height is 40 inches,  I would want the top ring area of my woofer also at 40 inches. Hopefully,  you sit 7 to 8 fit from your speakers and your speakers are around the same distance apart.   So,  I would start by adjusting the height of your speakers so that your woofer ring is 40 inches,  I would then point them in full tow,  meaning that your speakers point directly at your ears... Listen for sound stage imaging and any peaks in frequency.  If anything is not right,  slowly start turning your tow outward,  just an inch or so at a time, until you find the best overall balance.... 
I gave you a couple of ifs,  so if I am off from how far you sit from your speakers and how far your speakers are apart, please let me know and I'll re figure this based upon your listening position.
I hope this helps, 
Tim