Niles Audio CM6HDFX Boundary Effect, Using the Direct RADIATING/DIFFUSE Field Selector Switch

THE BOUNDARY EFFECT

Placing a speaker in a corner can powerfully affect the way a listener perceives bass response. Known as the boundary effect, placing speakers close to a wall/ceiling boundary or near a corner- wall boundary will emphasize certain bass frequencies while canceling others. This effect can make the speaker sound excessively boomy and inaccurate to some listeners, while to others it just seems like more bass sound.

As a good rule-of-thumb, if you like listening to your current pair of speakers with the bass turned up, you’ll enjoy corner placement. However, if you listen with the tone controls at neutral, try keep- ing the speakers at least 2 or 3 feet from the boundaries of the room.

USING THE DIRECT RADIATING/DIFFUSE FIELD SELECTOR SWITCH

If the listener prefers a more diffuse sound field, set the DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch to the DIFFUSE position, as shown in Figure 6. The DIFFUSE setting provides less localization of the sound and a more spacious feel. Make sure to align the speakers so the “out-of-phase” tweeters (identified by a gray dot) are oriented in the same direction, relative to the listener. If desired, experiment with tweeter orientation to give the most pleasant sound for your particular installation.

DIFFUSE DIRECT

Figure 6. The CM6HDfx DIRECT/ DIFFUSE switch is set to DIFFUSE for a more spacious sound field.

If the listener prefers a more direct sound field, set the DIRECT/DIFFUSE switch to the DIRECT position, as shown in Figure 7. The DIRECT setting provides more localization of sound and creates a more dramatic surround effect. If desired, experiment with tweeter orientation to give the most pleasant sound for your particular installation.

DIFFUSE DIRECT

Figure 7. The

CM6HDfx DIRECT/ DIFFUSE switch is set to DIRECT for a more dramatic sound field.

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