Klipsch P-27S, P-37F, P-38F, P-27C, P-17B Positioning Loudspeakers - Stereo, Stereo Positioning

Positioning Loudspeakers - Stereo

Never allow objects of furniture to impede the loudspeaker or place objects between the loudspeakers and the listening position.

Stereo Positioning

(P-38F / P-37F / P-17B)

The generally accepted norm is that the loudspeakers should be as far away from each other as they are from the listener. This places the listener and the loudspeakers at the points of an equilateral triangle. Well-designed horn loudspeakers have “controlled directivity” - the dis- persion pattern is tailored to provide the ideal image at the listener’s ear. This is in contrast to conventional speakers, where the sound tends to fire off in all directions.

		>8”
	(2.4 m - 4.9 m)	(20 cm)
	8’ - 16’
>12”
(30 cm)
	º
	40
º
-
5

Page 6

It follows that, when correctly sited, the performance of a well designed horn loudspeaker significantly exceeds that of conventional “direct radiator” loudspeakers.

Because the bass drivers are in a tuned port enclosure, the loudspeakers must be operated away from walls and, specifically, corners. The distances in the above diagram should be considered as minimum distances. Placing them too close to the walls will cause the bass to become bloated, muddy and indistinct.

The angle at which the loudspeakers are placed relative to the rear wall is called “toe-in”. Placing the loudspeakers with their backs parallel to the wall will result in a poor stereo image with the so called ”hole in the wall” effect. Angling the speakers inwardly too much will restrict the width of the listening seat and also tend to narrow the stereo image.

In smaller rooms, it is better to place the loudspeakers more closely together and set them relatively further back. This is preferable to placing the loud-

speakers further apart and sitting too close - the stereo effect will be significantly degraded if you do.

The height of the loudspeaker is important. The midrange should appear to radiate from a point level with the ears of a seated listener. As these loudspeakers are large, they will sound their best in large rooms, though there are some adjustments that can be made to redress the position in smaller rooms. These will be discussed in the section on final positioning.

The above are our recommendations. Be prepared to experiment until the sound is exactly as you want!