Optimizing the speaker positioning is the cheapest way to improve sound quality. The best speakers can be a disappointment, if they are placed in the wrong room. You can do just fine with a moderate system as long as the room and speakers are set up correctly. Below we’ll discuss how to set up speakers so you can get the best performance out of your system. The guide should be seen as a helper for beginners, as it will surely stay on the surface of things and aim to improve the sound experience with little effort, money and without complex insulation or speaker setups.
Room Size and Objects
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Consider symmetry, work with drapes |
Windows are the biggest culprits for reflecting sound. Try hanging drapes or wall hangings to absorb the sound. narrow side walls and low ceilings can be fairly challenging, as they reflect the sound heavily. You can buy sound pillows and position them relatively high on the wall right in the middle of the distance between the speakers and the listener. When choosing your usual listening position also keep in mind how the room around you is positioned. Ideally, the objects on the left and right of you should be fairly symmetrical. If your right wall has different furniture, your left wall should not be completely empty. Think of how the sound might reflect from the different objects in your room and try to arrange things evenly.
Surfaces like windows and hardwood floors reflect sound and can cause reverberations that reduce the clarity of the sound. On the flip side, furniture and carpeting can absorb sound and reduce it. Most people are not planning to optimize a room solely for the ideal sound experience, but if you are aware of a few No-Gos and the influence objects have on sound waves, you will most likely find a satisfying way to set up your stereo system. And remember, usually you will need to find a compromise between practicality and sound optimization.
Choosing a Listening Position
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2-3 feet distance corners and walls |
Assuming that you sit on a couch when listening, it is important to think of what is behind you. If your couch is standing directly at a window or wall it will cause certain frequencies to be cancelled out. As mentioned above, you can place drapes, rugs or sound pillows behind you to help with this problem to some extent. The best alternative is to leave a few feet of empty space behind the couch.
Placing Stereo Speakers: The Equilateral Triangle
Depending on what type of speakers you have, there are a variety of options of how to place them in your room. Floor speakers are a given, but bookshelf speakers are designed for being higher up, for instance. There are a few guidelines one can follow to start off, regardless of the type of speaker.Keep speakers out of corners for starters. Try to keep them at least 2-3 feet away from the rear walls of the room. This way the bass won’t overpower the sound and will sharpen the sound. Many people may think floor standing speakers should be placed against a wall, but better sound is had when they’re kept at least a foot away from it. Try out different elevations of your speakers to see how the sound changes.
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The equilateral triangle |
Tip: Place bookshelf speakers not on bookshelves, but on speaker stands. It will be a great benefit to the sound stage.
To sum it up:
5 Rules for correct speaker positioning
- Place speakers at least 2 to 3 feet away from walls
- Do not place speakers in corners
- Form an equilateral triangle between you and speakers
- Choose the right elevation (tweeters on ear level)
- Angle the speakers slightly towards you
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