Explain Speaker Placement to me like a Beginner

[andrew.hendler]

Hi All -

I've had my 13as for a couple years and, unfortunately, about 6 months ago I had a partial panel failure. The good news, is that I was able to get brand new panels (though I had to pay for 1). I've been running them for about 3 months, though there aren't a ton of hours on them.

I've typically had my dealer set up the speakers, and while he's good, he puts them closer than is recommended to the back wall. Additionally, he has the left toed in less than the right because the left speaker is 5 feet from the side wall and the right speaker isn't.

Additionally, he went through ARC with the previous panels, and when we placed them again, we didn't re-run Arc. While I had tape on the ground to get them back in position, it wasn't an exact thing.

What I'm finding is that they don't sound quite as good as they did before. Yes, they've had to break in, but the staging seems off and the bass doesn't seem quite right. Furthermore, while I've adjusted the rake a little bit, the upper mids are a bit hot (especially high piano keys out of the right channel). Previously, with the old panels, I had solved this by moving off the back wall more.

At this point, I would like to learn how to best adjust these for my preferences without relying on my dealer. He's a great guy, but I'd like to learn how to do this myself and for my preferences. I'm not listening to the speakers as much and it's a shame.

Where to start? Also, I have the perfect bass kit, so I can rerun Arc at any point. This seems pretty straightforward and probably the easier thing to do than placing the panels ideally.

 

[JonFo]

Giving a general theory would take a book, so let's start with your specific layout. You describe it well, but a floor plan with dimensions and locations would greatly help. A hand-drawn one is fine.

Step 1 is to discuss locations and other things, like room treatments, as it sounds like it's an asymmetric setup.

Once placed correctly, then run PBK, and finally, if the processor has room correction (Audessey, Dirac, etc.), run that.

 

[andrew.hendler]

That's more than fair. I have no room treatments, but they are in a carpeted room. It's L shaped and the ceiling is of different heights as it's a basement. The woofers are placed a foot from the back wall and the panels, therefore are about 3 feet. The seating is placed halfway into the room, so there is a good 10 -15 feet behind the couch.

I just removed any rake (but left the spikes in), and that moved things in the right direction at least. Tonally it sounds more linear (maybe these panels do need some more break in - the woofers however are broken in). Moving the couch around a tiny bit and Vocals and Bass are centered. Vocals may be a bit too "big" and take up much of the soundstage, but big vocals, I know, go with these speakers.

Here are some pictures to give you a better idea (the couch could use some tidying up):


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