Speaker Placement - Frequent Placement Changes?


Curious about members and the frequency of speaker placement changes. Do you frequently explore or do you “set it and forget it”? 

This includes toe-in, rake, distance from walls and main listening position (MLP), etc.

I find myself revisiting every few months, and always receiving an education about my not-so-perfect acoustic living environment - bass null about 12” in front of MLP for example.

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toro3

Whenever I’ve made significant changes to the system, I’ll readdress speaker placement. I was using the Cardas Golden Ratio for Rectangular Rooms but recently changed back to the Odd Order Placement, advocated by Vandersteen. Better tonal balance and focus.

My extended experience with speaker placement taught me that finding the perfect speaker placement in any given room requires getting two things perfect: #1 seating position, #2 speaker placement relative to seating position (and this includes toe-in, etc.).  In any current oddly shaped room, I found myself constantly adjusting both my seating position and speaker positioning simultaneously.  In my oddly shaped room, it took quite some time, with me making constant adjustments before I was able to  finally sync my seating and speaker positions together to where I was receiving the desired results.  It simply takes trial an error, and more trial and error, and eventually you’ll achieve perfection.  Or, as close to perfection that can possibly be achieved in that particular room.  Happy listening.   

@tcutter 

tilted back and toed in equivalently

This is good information and something I didn't know - will have to try. 

@lanx0003 really excellent post - thank you for the details. The image in the OP was  just an example - I couldn't accommodate Cardas' speaker placement, which if I remember correctly, was about 5' into the room for me. 

I've been following Jim Smith's formula which is essentially 83-84% of the distance from each speaker to the MLP - I'm currently at 82%. Speakers are 36" from the front wall, 100" between speakers, 82" to MLP, and 40" from closest sidewall. Dual subs; asymmetrical positioning to help reduce nulls and a smoother (perceived) bass response - I haven't gotten to measurements with the addition of the second sub. Compromise appears to be the phase, but subs and speakers sound coherent for the most part. 

OP

in my journey of HIFI audio, speaker placement is so so important. I have watched several YouTube videos and tried them all. some works and some don't

I believe that this is a science and physical limitation thing (better half approved)

there is so much info out there about speaker placement. I used to use the Carda's Golden Trapezoid but was not 100 committed as part of the room did not fall under its specs. Others I have tried, been doing this for more than a couple of years. and yes, I would stay in a given position for a few months and then change around. but still in the journey

 

in the end, I found the optimized position. I would strongly advise that you use Tools like REW and calibrated mikes to help you visually understand room acoustics and placement. I cannot stress any less and IF you can, put in room treatments, do it

Once you find that aha moment, you will never need to change speaker placement. WHY, because when you listen to your music, it will engage you EVERY TIME you listen to it. But be aware, it may not happen just like that, it's a journey

 

YMMV