Stereo Placement
For two channel music listening, there are two speakers—one left and one right. Sound consists of waves, which can be reflected, absorbed and diffracted. Therefore, where a speaker is placed will influence the way it sounds. You can have very little or incredible booming bass depending on your speaker placement. Since your room acoustics will play a large role in your system set-up, some experimentation is necessary to get the best results.
For optimal soundstaging in a stereo set-up, the distance between the speakers and listening position is important. Generally, the goal is to reduce the effect of surfaces that can interfere with the sound before it reaches the listener. Follow these simple guidelines for the best results:
Place your bookshelf speakers on stands 28”-30” off the floor.
Set the speakers 6-12 feet apart and 1-3 feet from the wall facing the listening position and the walls to the sides of the speakers.
Create a triangle consisting of the left & right speakers and the listener. The distance between the speakers should be less than or equal to the distance from the listener to the speaker, and a 45 to 60 degree angle should be
created. (See illustration)
| For best | 6' - 12' | 3' |
| results, the |
| 1' - |
| listening | |
| position should | | |
| be at least 1-3 | | |
| feet from the | | |
| back wall. | 45° | |
| Set the | |
| | |
| speakers so | | |
| they face the | | |
| sweet spot in | | |
| the listening | | |
| room. | | |
| Experiment | - 3' | |
| with variations | |
| until you | 1' | |
| | |
| achieve the | | |
| sound you | | |
| desire. | | |
