Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 18 of 18
  1. #1

    How to position your speakers perfectly

    Best speaker placement tutorial and best music for speaker placement
    Having just acquired a pair of Harbeth P3ESR speakers I'm having fun looking for the ultimate speaker placement.

    I have downloaded the Sound Liaison DXD sampler https://www.soundliaison.com/index.p...-music-sampler as it was recommended to me as being a great speaker placement tool.
    (Using the coupon code “XFI2019” you can download the 352DXD for €10 or the24/ 96 files for €5.)

    Especially the phase coherent One Microphone recordings on the sampler seems excellent for that purpose:
    These guys and this recording just rocks. Pace, rhythm, tone and soundstage are just off the charts. The precise placement of all four of the musicians perfectly matches the photos of the sessions. The balance of all four instruments is darn near perfect. As you can no doubt tell, I am a huge fan of this recording. It is one of the best in terms of recording quality I have ever heard. Of course, and as always, your view of the actual music content may vary quite considerably from mine. Nonetheless, I think we would all agree that this recording sounds sensational. ” source; https://audiophilestyle.com/ca/revie...cordings-r813/

    On the net i.e. youtube, there are a great number of tutorials in speaker placement.
    Any of these you would especially recommend?



    https://www.harbeth.co.uk/speakers/userguide.php

    My friend Robert from Melbourne forwarded these questions that he posted on a local forum. I thought we might be able to help him out.

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Kansas
    Posts
    5,951

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I suggest checking out Jim Smith's book, "Get Better Sound". It is inexpensive, a great reference, and a excellent guide!
    McIntosh C49, MC152, MR85, R778 | T+A DAC 8 DSD | KEF LS50 Meta w/S2, KC62 (x2) | Rega RP8, Ania Pro, NEO PSU | Technics SL-1500C | Audio Technica VM750ML | Hexmat Eclipse, Yellow Bird, Molekula, Molekula Mini | Pro-Ject VC-E | Falcon NW PC Server (Roon Core & HQPlayer) | Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Roon Controller) | Wyred 4 Sound ISO Recovery, DC Recovery | Abyss Diana Phi | Schiit Jotunheim 2 | Astell&Kern SE200 | Oppo BDP105

    “One of the great challenges in life is knowing enough to think you're right but not enough to know you're wrong”
    "You can't use reason to convince anyone out of an argument that they didn't use reason to get into"
    ― Neil deGrasse Tyson

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    Iowa City, IA
    Posts
    399

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by Randy Myers View Post
    I suggest checking out Jim Smith's book, "Get Better Sound". It is inexpensive, a great reference, and a excellent guide!

    Agreed, Jim's book is highly valuable. Pay special attention to the discussion about positioning the listening seat first. This is the single most important step in room setup and generally trumps anything that can be done with speaker position. Listening position needs to be placed in the room where there is smooth, even bass. This can be done by ear, and more easily (in my view) through measurement. Easy, free, and highly effective.
    Last edited by MPW; November 4, 2019 at 05:24 PM. Reason: wrong word used
    Morgan

    NEW SYSTEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
    Posts
    5,184

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by MPW View Post
    Agreed, Jim's book is highly valuable. Pay special attention to the discussion about positioning the listening seat first. This is the single most important step in room setup and generally trumps anything that can be done with speaker position. Listening position needs to be placed in the room where there is smooth, even bass. This can be done by ear, and more easily (in my view) through measurement. Easy, free, and highly effective.
    Awesome book
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

  5. #5

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I have the P3 Anniversary edition. Get in touch if you want to know my experiences concerning placement.

  6. #6

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Here is Jim Smith talking;

  7. #7

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I would't mind having a bit of deflection at the ceiling like in this studio;
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2020
    Location
    Carlsbad
    Posts
    26

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I will order Jim's book today!
    hikerneil

    McIntosh C2600 Preamp
    McIntosh MC452 Amp
    Martin Logan Montis Speakers
    Sony HAZ Z1ES Music Server
    Technics SL-1200G Turntable
    Analysis Plus Oval 9 Cables
    Personally Made Room Treatments


  9. #9

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    These very recent "One Microphone" recordings are not on the sampler but they are excellent for the purpose of this thread.
    https://www.soundliaison.com/index.php

  10. #10

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    https://www.monoandstereo.com/2021/0...aker.html#more

    A summary that does not replace reading.

    "Our approach consists of investigating how the room and the loudspeaker interact and finding the best situation without making radical changes to the room.

    This method provides excellent results without the need for a special room treatment is required; carefully applied.

    Consequently, the first step in obtaining a good stereo sound image is to the sound that comes directly from the speakers to your ears before this sound is reflected. Therefore, one goal of loudspeaker placement is to eliminate the earliest reflections, e.g. from walls or windows.

    After this initial sense of place, the perception of tonality begins.

    The advantages are the greatest possible distance between the loudspeakers for the widest possible sound stage and a maximum delay of the first reflections. Thereby the best soundstage and tonal balance are achieved.

    The direct distance between the speaker and the ear should be at least one meter and should be smaller than the distance between the loudspeaker and a reflective surface and the ear.

    So why did we put the listening position near the back wall? The first reason is the bass amplification. The maximum sound pressure occurs at the room boundaries and the pressure gives the feeling of deep bass. Secondly, the brain can not measure the time delay between the ears, because the reflections at the back wall are shorter than the circumference of the head. If it does not measure the time delay it can't locate the source of the sound. If the brain does not detect reflections it ignores them
    ."

  11. #11
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2021
    Location
    Boston
    Posts
    13

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Thanks for u recommendation!!

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    102

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I'm convinced that optimal speaker placement within a given room is the 2nd best thing one can accomplish with their playback system. But it's also perhaps the most difficult thing to accompish as it can take weeks, months, or even years.
    "The more I dabble with extreme forms of electrical mgmt and extreme forms of vibration mgmt, the more I’m convinced it’s all just variations of managing mechanical energy. Or was it all just variations of managing electrical energy? No, it’s all just variations of managing mechanical energy. No, wait. It's all just variations of managing electrical energy" -me

  13. #13

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by A.S. View Post
    I would't mind having a bit of deflection at the ceiling like in this studio;
    Thats absorption!! Your first response from sound off surfaces & rebound come from floor, sidewalls & ceiling. Most people have no idea how devastating a ceiling is in their listening field can be unless they are listening very near field.

  14. #14

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    "But it's also perhaps the most difficult thing to accompish as it can take weeks, months, or even years."

    Or an afternoon by hiring Jim Smith for a RoomPlay session.

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    SE Pa
    Posts
    2,036

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by bzr View Post
    Most people have no idea how devastating a ceiling is in their listening field can be unless they are listening very near field.
    much less of a problem with stats !
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  16. #16

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    I like your turntable!

  17. #17

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by Mikado463 View Post
    much less of a problem with stats !
    I always thought to a degree but not totally when I had mine

  18. #18
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2021
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    102

    Re: How to position your speakers perfectly

    Quote Originally Posted by Vinyl Valet View Post
    "But it's also perhaps the most difficult thing to accompish as it can take weeks, months, or even years."

    Or an afternoon by hiring Jim Smith for a RoomPlay session.
    Too funny
    "The more I dabble with extreme forms of electrical mgmt and extreme forms of vibration mgmt, the more I’m convinced it’s all just variations of managing mechanical energy. Or was it all just variations of managing electrical energy? No, it’s all just variations of managing mechanical energy. No, wait. It's all just variations of managing electrical energy" -me

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

How to position your speakers perfectly

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •