Speaker distance


In a rectangular room is it better to sit further from the speakers or position the speakers further apart and sit closer to them?  Is it a preference or one better than the other?  I’m looking to build a secondary system and haven’t decided which would be better?  Does anyone have experience with either scenario? 

polkalover

I sit further back than an equilateral triangle, as shown in my Virtual System and I have alternate Toe-In’s for single centered, or two off-center listeners, which requires you to provide the ability to change the angle of toe-in.

https://www.audiogon.com/systems/11516

I sit closer and listen when I clean LPs, more like an equilateral, and the imaging is more like listening to earphones, more intimate, but the sense of space is smaller.

That is true for two of my friends who have essentially equilateral triangles.

Obstructions

Who would have a dining room table and chairs in place like I do? I assure you, all imaging is Phantom, from the unobstructed L and R.

I of course have removed the table and chairs (several times), put down a rug: no difference, even with the Christmas Tree in place, the imaging is terrific. I just promised a friend that we will do that again next time he comes over.

After Easter, we are having 14 at that table, where are the 3 leaves?

you might try this ’behind the listener’ toe-in

My preference is to minimize secondary reflections, i.e. a greater time delay before they get to you. That improves imaging. No wall close behind you helps with that.

My vintage horn tweeters and horn mids are designed for wide lateral dispersion and narrow vertical dispersion. Even so, tweeters angle of dispersion is narrower that mids and bass.

I tilt them back, so the tweeter is aimed slightly up at seated ear level. That also alters the reflections off the floor and ceiling

I toe them in so the narrow highs are directed at the listener, to equalize the power of the frequency range, and alter the angle of reflections off the side walls.

I used a combination of Vandersteen's set-up guide and Jim Smith's. Then adjusted accordingly.

I think I would prefer the speakers on the long wall. You could separate the speakers by a good amount and still have space on the outside of each speaker (assuming you can center the system on the long wall). I think you could space the speakers about 9' apart and pull them out about 3' from the front wall.  That would be my first attempt, anyway.  Make adjustments from there with the spacing, toe-in, and your listening location. 

There is only one sure way to optimize speaker positioning in a room and it is by ear. Mathematical formulas, ratios and triangulations as well as manufacturer guides are merely starting points and should not be considered as absolute. Also one speaker manufacturer's guide to placement will probably not work for another's. Take your time, experiment and tell your wife you will the final determination on the basis of sound quality, not aesthetics.