Toe-in
Adjusting the toe-in angle of the speakers is useful in tailoring the sound to best match the characteristics of your system and listening room.
When the speakers are facing straight forward, they tend to create a large, expansive sound-stage, painted with broad brush strokes. As they are rotated toward the listening position, the image becomes more compact, with increased focus, creating a greater sense of intimacy. Pointing the speakers inward is also helpful in situations where strong reflections from the side walls are a problem.
Start with the loudspeakers facing straight forward, and play either a mono source, or a stereo source with a distinct center image, through both channels. Carefully rotate the loudspeakers inward in small increments to bring the image in precise center focus (small adjustments can be made with the speaker on Apex couplers). Toe-in adjustment is rather delicate, and experimentation is necessary to achieve the proper angle for your listening situation. The optimum angle is usually between three and ten degrees inward.
Apex Couplers
Supplied with your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers are six Apex couplers, used to couple the speakers to the floor, thereby minimizing time-smearing resonance effects. The result is an increase in focus and solidity of the sonic images.
On hardwood floors, you may protect the floor from the pointed spike using a large coin, such as a quarter. However, the coupling effect of the Apex couplers will be reduced.
Once you have located the proper position and toe-in angle for your Avalon Acoustics loudspeakers, place the couplers under the speaker bases. It is easiest to install the couplers with the assistance of a friend. Lean the speaker forward first, and position two couplers pointing downward, one under each rear comer. Then lean the speaker backward and place one Apex coupler under the front center of the base.
IMPORTANT: It is imperative that the Apex- Couplers are utilized, in order to insure that the bottoms of the loudspeakers are not blocked. This is especially important on thick carpeting.
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