Question about speaker angle


I've always been under the impression that your front main speakers should be angled so that the "face" of the speaker is basically perpendicular with the listener's face when viewing the speakers from the sweet spot. I do however see others placing the speakers parallel or inline with the surface of the wall behind the speakers. I'm wondering, how much loss to the sonic sound stage this creates.

waxensens

Ultimately, you are constrained by your environment.  Each case is individual and must involve experimenting to find the optimal balance between frequencies and soundstaging.  Away from the wall is generally better, with an unequal distance to the side walls and just enough toe in to achieve center fill and realistic soundstaging.

I am at a quandary over this very issue.  From the day I installed my speakers I had them toed in to aim about two feet behind my head.  After a year of listening and then going to a local audio store. I thought there is no way my speakers are set up right. Like even sitting in dead center, was like I knew where the speakers were. and a little too top end. So for S&G I toed them right out flat. And low and behold. the most beautiful sound and soundstage I've witnessed for the first time with my speakers. More bass. More clarity.  Flat out. No toe. Go figure. That's where they are staying until some expert listens to them and can explain why it should be anything different. How is this anomaly possible? 

@iclickjohn

Glad to hear you got you got you speakers toe in dialed in!
 

I guess I don’t understand the quandary. Every listening space is radically different. Virtually all aspects of audio are “it depends” because every system / listening space is different.. 
 

I bet if you moved your speakers away from each other or towards each other, or away from the wall in front,.. or put sound absorbing material on the wall in front, on the sides and / or behind you… you can get additional sizable improvements in sound. 

Post removed