Is It Just Me...

[MylesBAstor]

Does anyone else look at many speaker setups and just get the feeling that the speakers are too close to the front wall? Especially at audio shows (OK that's a special situation) but in home systems too. I know that some setups are trying to get more bass reinforcement but it seems to me a question of quality of bass vs. quantity of bass.

[cpp]

The systems that I have seen non shows the speakers seem to be further out in the room as space permits of course. IN both of my setups, in my rather small office my speakers (rear ported) are 23" from the rear wall and 23" from the sides. Bass at times can be a little overbearing but a sock works if needed until I can get some panels that are WAF. In my big room TV /movies the speakers are 40" from the rear wall and almost 4' from the sides. Bass is not a problem, but ! when we have company the speakers are moved back towards the wall to keep little fingers from playing with the grills plus it looks a little more welcoming. The Big Room is WAF monitored.

[Jim Smith]

Agreed on placement. Owning a nice system and then compromising its performance is sad.

[Rob]

Does anyone else look at many speaker setups and just get the feeling that the speakers are too close to the front wall? Especially at audio shows (OK that's a special situation) but in home systems too. I know that some setups are trying to get more bass reinforcement but it seems to me a question of quality of bass vs. quantity of bass.

its not just the bass, everything is impacted, image specificity, sound staging, et, etc. you see it constantly in member's systems photos. I bite my tongue when I see it because its often a prominent poster or contributor with lots of opinions people take to heart and you just know their system can't sound anywhere near optimum. this wasn't brought up but it will be, the WAF thing has no relevance to audio esp where the speakers are going to dominate the space and be fairly out into the room...if my balls were in her purse I'd just assume pick another hobby.

[cpp]

maybe your not married, but In a family room like ours its not a dedicated room like you might have so the WAF does have relevance considering family visit and the grand kids. Before the kids get there we move the speakers back, when the kids leave they come back to their marked location. FYI, my wife and I do have others hobbies which we do together (collecting vintage muscle cars, international travel, kayaking and fishing) instead of setting in some freaking chair 24x7 alone letting time go by listening to music.. After 32 years of marriage I'm glad my balls have somewhere to reside.

[david k]

Does anyone else look at many speaker setups and just get the feeling that the speakers are too close to the front wall? Especially at audio shows (OK that's a special situation) but in home systems too. I know that some setups are trying to get more bass reinforcement but it seems to me a question of quality of bass vs. quantity of bass.

It's nothing new Myles you just get to see more pictures now than ever. Look at some setups from 50's & 60's the speakers were right up against the wall. Of course the argument is they were designed that way, but its not always true and many of them will sound better in an optimized setup. Speaker setup isn't easy specially when dealing with large heavy ones, then you need experience and knowledge of how to setup a particular speaker in a particular room. Sometimes people, even those with very expensive systems look at a sales brochure or web page with speakers positioned for aesthetics and they copy that in their own home.

david

[Madfloyd]

How far out from the front wall is everybody's speakers? Mine are about 5 feet...

[mep]

It's nothing new Myles you just get to see more pictures now than ever. Look at some setups from 50's & 60's the speakers were right up against the wall. Of course the argument is they were designed that way, but its not always true and many of them will sound better in an optimized setup. Speaker setup isn't easy specially when dealing with large heavy ones, then you need experience and knowledge of how to setup a particular speaker in a particular room. Sometimes people, even those with very expensive systems look at a sales brochure or web page with speakers positioned for aesthetics and they copy that in their own home.

david

How about those K-Horns?

[mep]

How far out from the front wall is everybody's speakers? Mine are about 5 feet...

Mine are almost 7' from the rear wall to the front of the speakers.

[david k]

How about those K-Horns?

They need to go right up in the corners, preferably identical ones and the bass cabinets caulked to the walls for best results. Wood panels or thin wood walls result in a colored sound, the more solid the wall the better.

david

[mep]

They need to go right up in the corners, preferably identical ones and the bass cabinets caulked to the walls for best results. Wood panels or thin wood walls result in a colored sound, the more solid the wall the better.

david

I knew that Dave, all except the part about caulking them to the walls. I was just listing them as an example of speakers that really were designed to be place not only up against the rear wall, but in the corner as well.

[david k]

Coupling them with a solid structure will further clean up the sound but it won't do much with a typical sheetrock wall. Do you have or had them Mep?

david

[Madfloyd]

Mine are almost 7' from the rear wall to the front of the speakers.

How deep/long is your room? I bet you get some great depth!

[mep]

Ian- My room is 23' long. David-I have never owned K-horns.

[allenh]

Agreed Myles, many speakers seem too close to the front wall. If using a shared living space, you may not have any choice though.

My room is also 23' deep and the tweeters are about 10.5' from the front wall. My sitting position is almost up against the rear wall/rack. Most will say my setup looks odd, but this general area gives the best balance of bass, imaging, and soundstaging response. I need to play with toe in now.

[MylesBAstor]

its not just the bass, everything is impacted, image specificity, sound staging, et, etc. you see it constantly in member's systems photos. I bite my tongue when I see it because its often a prominent poster or contributor with lots of opinions people take to heart and you just know their system can't sound anywhere near optimum. this wasn't brought up but it will be, the WAF thing has no relevance to audio esp where the speakers are going to dominate the space and be fairly out into the room...if my balls were in her purse I'd just assume pick another hobby.

Agreed about the multitude of effects.

[Garth]

a simple test to see if your speakers are too close to the back wall is turn the speakers 180 degrees less toe in sit on the floor with your head resting against the tt and see if it sounds better. Free helpful hints are worth every cent you payed for them.