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Adjusting speaker positioning. What, if anything, to expect?


I am going to adjust my Magico A3’s positioning a little bit to try to optimize their performance and the listening experience. Due to the logistics of the room they’re in, there’s only a limited amount I can move them. I’ll describe the room and what I can do within those limitations. I’m wondering what improvement I might be able to achieve with adjusting positioning.

The room is approximately 14’ x 22’. There is a high vaulted ceiling. about 15’ at it’s peak centered in the room on its horizontal axis. Picture how kindergarten child draws a house. That’s the shape of a cross section of the room and vaulted ceiling.. The speakers are located about 8’ apart centered on the long wall. The front of the A3’s are only out 22" from the wall, the rear of the speakers only 9" from the wall. That can’t be helped. The prime listening position is on a couch about 10’ out from and facing the same wall, also centered. The components are on shelves centered and built into the same long wall the speakers are on. There are some other furnishings, and books above built-in cabinets, line most of the other three walls.

I can move the speakers about a foot farther apart or closer together, and I can change their toe-in. What changes, if any, might I be expecting or hope to achieve moving the speakers within these limited parameters? Could the sound-stage be affected? I’m not sure what the sound-stage should be like anyway. Should it extend to the left or right outside the speakers, or be mainly between the speakers? Right now depending on the recording the vocals and instruments are usually between or no further apart than the actual speakers. Could the treble, midrange, or bass response be augmented or diminished depending on positioning? Are there any other factors that may be affected by positioning alone? Thank you for any guidance and please feel free to ask any questions. Thanks,

Mike
skyscraper

Showing 1 response by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,112 posts
 
Lightweight speakers are a different matter.

Your speakers weigh 110lbs each. Spikes? No Spikes? Wheels?

I would buy a pair of something like these

https://smile.amazon.com/JzNova-Heavy-Metal-Wheels-Square/dp/B07S6ZP255/ref=sr_1_12?ascsubtag=1ba00-01000-org00-win10-other-smile-us000-pcomp-feature-scomp-wm-5&keywords=small+dolly+on+wheels&qid=1581685557&sr=8-12

to help move them hither and thither, find differences/preferred location(s) and, then

learn if you truly hear any benefit from spikes.

First, existing location: listen with spikes. Then remove spikes, listen. Now on the wheels ....... 

After you find preferred location(s), you can repeat listening with spikes; no spikes; on wheels. I tried, I assumed, I believed, finally I tested, I don’t need/benefit from spikes. I added wheels to my heavy speakers. I don’t lose anything on wheels. You can always put spikes back to re-check.

What I would do, is leave them permanently on wheels, have a close to the wall location that works for moving around the room, decor factor, then

roll them out to their ideal listening position when listening. leave them out until they need to be pushed back.

Perhaps one location for a single listener, another position (toe in more) for a pair of listeners, when you want a wider center image.

Exact location: yes, you will want an easy method to move/locate two corners of the speakers when you roll them out. You can figure that out. Temporary wide painter’s tape while trying here and there.

My speakers are shorter, wider, and deeper than yours so I can safely use 3 wheels, (3 never wobble and distribute all the weight divided by 3). I think yours would be safer on 4 wheels. 4 wheels may need a leveling shim whereas 3 don’t.


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