How to position speakers

It is assumed an equilateral triangle is required, but Paul helps us understand why that's not always the case.

[irashapiro]

I agree with you, Paul. Don't limit yourself with an equilateral triangle. I used your book and CD. For my room, I ended up with 7 ft from woofer center to woofer center with the listing position being 10ft from the speakers. Speaker positioning was limited (by the room and spouse) to 5 ft from the front of the speaker to the front wall. Best soundstage I've ever had with my system. Thank you so much.

[Baerchenization]

Would it ruin the soundstage? Why does he not try it out?! What if Paul says yes, but he cannot hear difference either way? I do not understand these questions...

[prabhurc]

Hi Paul, This video is right on time, I am trying to play around with my speaker positions and was facing the same problem. Thanks for your explanation to the point, I almost had my questions answered, except for one thing.
Does the sidewall as well matters? Currently I have them 1.5 feet away from the sidewalls. Can't pull them any further as it would block projector view, yes I am using this for both music and home theater as I can't afford a separate listening room... :)
I believe many people face this problem too, should I be ok if I can just pull them from front walls? Or is it really important to leave room for sidewalls as well ?

[honeyken]

Hello Paul,
You have just given a wonderfully accurate description of SBIE (Speaker Boundary Interference Effect).
I have never heard it described any better. Thanks KEN

[danielloftus]

The fun part of room setup is trying different things. use your ears to decide if it works better or not

[RWong-wnpv]

I think the issue of “speaker” placement can be both more easily (to more complicatedly) solved with “separated” (designed) speakers.

So for example, there’s been way too much unnecessary confusion, angst, $’s spent & for too long on so called “BOOKSHELF” (all speakers in one box) speakers. It’s hard to ignore “bookshelves” speakers have not solved customers’ interior design issues.

Sonically, it’s been known for decades to generations that each frequency range, ie., low bass, bass, midrange, upper mid range, tweeter can have, to need different placement, locations, positions, etc., relative to ideal to personal preferences in ANY listening environment.

[ThinkingBetter]

Great audio systems are too often not great sounding due to poor room acoustics including where the speakers are placed. It can easily do much more difference than the difference between models of amps, DACs and other electronic gear.

[laurentzduba]

Experimentation is the key and great sound sometimes deviate from the dogmatic precepts of loudspeaker placement. On some recordings, you can achieve the illusion that sound appears to come from behind your listening chair even though there are no surround speakers placed there.

[HieuNguyen-dlnd]

Paul is right. Pull the speakers away from the front wall to improve soundstage depth.

[fareedrakeib]

Always great videos very informative really enjoy how u do them keep up the great work sir

[Driller]

My advice—buy the book and the SACD. For most of us if you follow the speaker setup steps, you’ll find that your speakers are significantly further from the front wall and further apart than they were prior to using Paul’s guide. 4 ft from the front wall is significantly further than it seems when you initially eyeball it, accompanied with the inevitable displeasure from your wife. I recently purchased Focal Spectral 40th anniversary floorstanders and only after I followed the setup guide did I feel I was getting my money’s worth. The book and CD cost less than a mediocre pair of interconnects yet the improvement in sound quality can be more dramatic than spending thousands on new components.

[martyjewell]

What about vintage "bookshelf" speakers that were designed to be against the front wall?? EPI and Allison speaker placement was suggested against the wall. I don't have an audio "sweet spot" but prefer a wide soundstage enjoyable wherever I sit or stand while listening.

[jesmacpumas]

Hello Paul, i recently adquiere a pair of beolab 4000 and beolab 3, and I was triyng to find information like this but for those specific speakers, but looks like nobody talks about Bang & Olufsen. Was wondering why? But more over what will you recommend for this type of speakers? Grate channel and great work keep it up!

[cubinn]

Thankyou so much paul for all your educational videos and advice 😃 I've gotten better setup now with my audio aswell as better hifi equipment and boy what a difference and enjoy much more listening to music and the movie sound experience

[artyfhartie]

Due to room constraints, I positioned my floorstanding Klipsch RF 63 on adjacent walls, facing straight ahead, about 11 apart, with the listening position 8 feet away facing the inverted V where the walls meet. I have bi amped them using my Marantz SR top shelf AVR. Forgot the model number. I listen to music in stereo with a Velodyne Ultra 1200 sub blended in, crossover overriden. Audyssey room Equalizer is disabled in this biamp setting which is good.one can also watch movies in a 5 loudspeakers setting or more. The sound is just superb especially listening to records and tapes. Nearly forgot. All crossover at 80hz, including so called LFE and all loudspeakers LARGE. Marantz top shelf AVRs are gems.

[dirtharris]

Wondering how tall you are Paul? I'm guessing quite tall... 6ft 1, 2 or 3? By my estimation, if you lay down on the floor in front of the speakers left to right, head and toes would be about at the tweeter on each speaker.... so is that roughly the distance between your speakers, tweeter to tweeter? just over 6ft?

[osirismarbles]

Does wall distance apply to speaker that have no port?

[gtric]

Personally i had more issues with the side wall. moving them 2/3 of the way from the front wall or visa versa. my understanding the distances should not be equal.

[ikemi]

No mention of speaker distance from side walls and if it should be equal.

[mrronenza]

Great video. Is it also recommended to move forward the speakers even if my speakers have FRONT Bass ports ?