Adjusting speaker positioning. What, if anything, to expect?



I am going to adjust my Magico A3’s positioning a little bit to try to optimize their performance and the listening experience. Due to the logistics of the room they’re in, there’s only a limited amount I can move them. I’ll describe the room and what I can do within those limitations. I’m wondering what improvement I might be able to achieve with adjusting positioning.

The room is approximately 14’ x 22’. There is a high vaulted ceiling. about 15’ at it’s peak centered in the room on its horizontal axis. Picture how kindergarten child draws a house. That’s the shape of a cross section of the room and vaulted ceiling.. The speakers are located about 8’ apart centered on the long wall. The front of the A3’s are only out 22" from the wall, the rear of the speakers only 9" from the wall. That can’t be helped. The prime listening position is on a couch about 10’ out from and facing the same wall, also centered. The components are on shelves centered and built into the same long wall the speakers are on. There are some other furnishings, and books above built-in cabinets, line most of the other three walls.

I can move the speakers about a foot farther apart or closer together, and I can change their toe-in. What changes, if any, might I be expecting or hope to achieve moving the speakers within these limited parameters? Could the sound-stage be affected? I’m not sure what the sound-stage should be like anyway. Should it extend to the left or right outside the speakers, or be mainly between the speakers? Right now depending on the recording the vocals and instruments are usually between or no further apart than the actual speakers. Could the treble, midrange, or bass response be augmented or diminished depending on positioning? Are there any other factors that may be affected by positioning alone? Thank you for any guidance and please feel free to ask any questions. Thanks,

Mike
skyscraper
IMHO: you cannot do this alone - you need at least * one helper *...

Start by setting up by mathematical equilaterial GOLDEN TRIANGLE FORMULA, based on "The Spot" you plan to listen from. ACTUALLY MEASURE IT OUT TO START

Position speakers where you think they should be - from back and side walls

"Toe-In" - stand behind speaker and 'aim it' at that spot (mirror image, both with the same angle toward the listener. MARK IN CHALK AS #1

Play a 30-60 second repeat of sound (music, whatever) you are more than familiar with: repeat 3-4 times - with a good 5second in between plays.YOU LISTEN AND ONLY YOU LISTEN. WRITE DOWN YOUR INITIAL IMPRESSIONS...

Have your "helper" adjust each speaker (obviously do with both speakers) out away from the direct line you started from, in about 1/4" increments. MARK ON THE FLOOR/CARPET/WHATEVER in chalk #2... Repeat the listening repetition and WRITE DOWN YOUR IMPRESSIONS ( BIGGER WIDER DEEPER SOUNDSTAGE; MORE FORCEFUL BASS; LESS FOCUS OF VOCAL; LESS REAL: WHATEVER YOU ACTUALLY HEAR)

Repeat above procedure moving speakers more away from initial position...

The most important caveat for any initial listening experiences are: IS YOUR EQUIPMENT AND ALL CABLES AND CORDS BROKEN IN ?
ARE YOU SURE?

@skyscraper Sorry to hear that you were not able to get into Maggies due to size.  I completely understand as this occurred many times back in the day when I had my shop.  We also made solid wood cabinets and furniture for housing equipment, and I can tell you that there were many "discussions" in the shop about what was acceptable and what was not.

Today, Magnepan has many different models of various sizes, but I get that you are keeping what you have.

I am sure you will eventually get them positioned to your satisfaction and be sure to keep enjoying the music, which is what this is all about.

Cheers,

Richard 
Jim Smith's book, Get Better Sound, ~$40, IMHO, is the best setup method I know of. Lots of other tips as well. I spent an afternoon with Jim in his music room, relatively modest system, best sound I've ever heard, a real eyeopener.

http://getbettersound.com/gbs.html
Insearchofprat, that sounds like a good practical way to systematically adjust my current speakers location withing the restricted location parameters I’ve got to deal with. I’m not sure all of my new components are broken in thoroughly. The Magicos require 400, maybe 450 hours to be thoroughly broken in. I’ve had them installed since last Spring but haven’t kept track of the hours. My Marantz Ruby CD player is practically fresh out of the box so tha’ts certainly not. Maybe I’ll have to go back six months from now maybe and readjust positioning if break-in time is that important a factor.

Richopp, sounds like we have some similar interests. I’m breaking ground on a woodworking shop at home soon as it warms up a bit. I’ve a garage full of vintage U.S. manufactured wood working machines acquired over the past couple of years or so, I’ll be putting out there. I designed and finished installing the built-in cabinetry for my current audio system not long ago. Audiogon and OWWM (Old Woodworking Machines) are my favorite sites online.

Vinylvalet, I’ll see if our local library is able to get a copy of the "Get Better Sound" book to look through. That’s quite interesting you were able to meet the author and listen to his system. What impressed you most about the sound you heard in his music room? And If you don’t mind providing a preview, what are some of his techniques, or general approach, that enabled him to achieve the impressive results you heard with a modest system? And thanks for the link.

Mike
Well you found Fibbo! And if you can do woodwork you could download the free setup manual I talked about... really simple stuff most advanced math is division...by all means buy the CD and have at it. My speakers null out in the Anechoic chamber at the factory with precision driver matching AND custom crossover tuning, 

did you download vandertones? At least see what your room is doing below 120 HZ...