Positioning the Speakers

Direct sound Reflected sound

Difference in arrival times

Figure 1. Early reflection problems caused by speakers placed too close to side walls

Direct sound Reflected sound

Difference in arrival times

Figure 2. Optimum placement for reducing reflection problems

Because of their unipolar radiation pattern and co-axial design, the CS7.2s will provide good results when placed in a variety of room locations. However, speaker placement will affect the accuracy of timbre, spatial performance, and bass performance. Here are some guidelines to help you achieve the best sound from your speakers. (The pointed metal stabilizer pins should not be installed until the final positioning has been determined.)

All aspects of speaker placement are dependent on the particulars of the room. Since every room is different, no hard rules can be given, and experimentation is necessary to achieve the best results.

Distance from walls

The CS7.2s, like most speakers, sound best if they are placed well away from all walls. Such

placement optimizes imaging characteristics, and musical timbres are reproduced with the

least coloration because the initial sound

coming from the speaker is distinctly separated in time from the secondary sound of wall

reflections. If reflections are heard too soon after the primary sound, the brain tends to

interpret them as part of the initial sound, causing the perceived timbre to be altered and

the spatial characteristics to be confused. Figure 1 illustrates the problems caused

by early side wall reflections. Sound waves from the loudspeakers radiate both forward, toward the listener, and laterally, reflecting off side walls. When the speaker is placed too

close to side walls, the difference in arrival

times of the primary sound waves and the reflected sound waves is too short for the brain

to discriminate between them.

Figure 2 illustrates the advantages of

placing the loudspeakers farther from side

walls. The arrival times of the primary, forward radiating sound waves and the secondary,

reflected sound waves are well separated,

providing the proper delay needed for faithful tonal and spatial reproduction.

There will also be a noticeable improve- ment in openness when the speakers are even two feet from the rear wall instead of one. If

possible, we prefer the speakers at least three feet from the rear wall and at least five feet from the side walls. Also, it is not desirable for large objects to be placed very near the speakers since these will also be a source of unwanted early reflections that reduce imaging accuracy.