Make sure that components are connected correctly. Check if you are in doubt. Also cartridge, CD-player, headphones and the loudspeakers should be connected correctly. If not, the display of the musicians in the middle of the orchestra or the jazz formation will not occur because the middle part of the image is on the outside of each channel / speaker and will not 'connect' acoustically.

And how come that some people are complaining about a hole in the middle of the sound stage and blame the recording engineers of many a renowned label for this?



Click to read the Spanish version:

Los altavoces bien posicionades en la sala CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SUBJECT DO YOU NEED NEW SPEAKERS? Every time people talk to me about their intention to buy new components, I always ask them what gave them the idea that made them want to buy a new amplifier, a new set of cables or - in this case - a different pair of loudspeakers. Almost in every case there is a good reason to question their motives. Some want to change speakers because they have read a mouthwatering review of big high end systems, written by the audio journalist in whom they trust.





While others would decide to go smaller - while maintaining quality - and consider buying bookshelf stereo speakers instead.





Or one may have been exposed to the sales talk of an importer at an audio show.





And there are people who act on an impulse to buy something for their audio sets (and their sets of ears) because they want to bring about a change in their personal lifes by nurturing the sound as if a hifi system is a plant that needs to be prepared for a changing season. Do their motives justify the expenditure of new components? Maybe.

However, a few more questions and answers will help analyzing the problem.





CHECK THE FRONT END FIRST It goes without saying that it is always right to ask about the equipment. It is important to know how the signal is managed and also how the components and loudspeakers are placed in the room.

Amplifiers do behave differently when placed in different audio racks, on different shelves and closer to the edge of the shelve near the pillar. Using racks with four legs is better than to use the three legged variety. And what is the material of the shelves?

Positioning amplifiers, turntables and CD-players is as important as it is in the case of loudspeakers, as you all know.

If components do not have the proper grounding (as the Goldmund people taught us in the nineteen eighties), how would you expect the loudspeaker systems to give maximum transient response? So pay attention to the position and grounding of components. Pay attention to materials. And do throw these beautiful smoked glass shelves right out of your designer racks and substitute them for plain wood!!! If this is no news for you, so much the better. Only then it is possible to know if the cartridge-arm-turntable combination and/or the CD-player are the limiting factors. In that case we have to contemplate their quality first before new speakers are bought.

The advice on this page is there to give you some insight and to stress that a less than optimum sound reproduction is not necessarily the speaker's fault. WHAT ABOUT THE POWER AMPLIFIER? In order to achieve maximum sound quality it is not sufficient to look at the front end. Also the design of the power amplifier should be considered. In that case we have to look at Watts, current and stability. And we should consider the phase pattern if two amplifiers are being used in a bi-amping configuration. Power amplifiers should have identical phase patterns/characteristics. And a preamplifier should well match the phase of the power amplifier. If not it is possible that a slight phase shift will limit the fidelity in the top of the frequency band and thus will inhibit the slam and the clean detailing of complex sound structures. You all know from experience that the same preamplifier functions better if connected to power amplifier X and does perform less well with power amp Y. There are a few things to consider:





Maybe your amplifier has circuits with too much negative feedback and cannot deliver the energy with sufficient speed.





Maybe it is an amplifier with not enough energy storage and instead has a large toroidal transformer from which the energy is drawn. Those amplifiers are suitable for high efficiency loudspeakers and are not able to deliver constant energy to make lower efficiency loudspeakers with complex filters work properly, especially speakers with an efficiency of 85 to 87 dB, like Harbeth, several Avalon systems, etc.





Maybe you have high efficiency loudspeaker systems (93 to 106 dB) like Cabasse and Klipsch, and you are feeding them with heavy, prowerfull, high capacity amplifiers. Especially high efficiency horns need fast and neat power.





Another reason for dull sound can sometimes be the use of two bridged stereo amplifiers, one for the left and one for the right channel. As you know bridging generally gives dull sound.



AND CABLES? Did you pay enough attention to the interconnects between components? And what about the loudspeaker cables? Do they transmit a well balanced, well extended frequency band? If not, get better cables first. ROOM: SHAPE, SIZE AND FURNITURE Then there is the room you have positioned the speakers in. First of all we have to take the size of the room into account. It should be large enough to enable low frequency information to unfold. Then the shape is important. Is the room long and narrow? Is it a square? Is it a large room? And how is it damped by furniture, carpets, wallpaper, paintings, shelves with books and records. And what are the actual positions of the speaker systems?

It is all too often clear that quite a few music lovers do not give the loudspeakers the attention and care they really deserve - although they think they do! Or, if they do adhere plenty of significance, they do not always know how to get the last extra bit out of the capabilities of the design.

Furthermore I have noticed that some people do not want to put the speakers in the 'right' position because a large and deep sound stage is sort of distracting and asks too much of active listening, too much involvement. In this way they do miss much of the impact of the performance. Those music lovers often want to position the speakers in such a way that certain aspects of the frequency band are accentuated: a heavier low end and an accentuated top as if they have activated the loudness switch. CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SUBJECT

What do you get when the loudspeakers are well positioned: extended frequency range

high dynamics and good transient response

minimum of distortion

the acoustics of the hall or studio were the recording was made is conveyed



subtle noises of instruments, the tapping of a foot, the humming of a conductor, noises made by musicians, and by the audience in case of a live performance, will be heard.



SPACE VERSUS HARMONICS Although there must be only one right position for your loudspeakers in your specific listening room, providing maximum stage, with good transients, it is not always easy to obtain these qualities. Even professionals can have trouble in getting it right. When the German magazine AUDIO (May 1996) tested Wilson's Grand Slam loudspeaker systems and Mark Goldman from Wilson had positioned the giants as they should be (so he said) and had marked the spots with tape, the AUDIO journalists were not entirely happy with the stereo image's depth and width. After Mr. Goldman had left Germany, the AUDIO staff let the tape where it was but changed the position of the speakers in order to get a better and beautiful sound stage while retaining an impressive reproduction. This of course also illustrated the subjectivity of the listening experience. Many times I have adjusted the speaker position in the listening room of a music lover and many times I had to come back to make the adjustments anew, because the owner had changed the position thinking to improve the sound, but could not get that beautiful image back. CARE Once again: Quite a few music lovers do not give the loudspeakers the attention and care they really deserve - although they think they do!

An importer of B&W speakers, Rowland Research amplifiers and Cardas cable stated that if the sound stage is realized to the maximum, than the harmonics are also correct. Yes, the harmonics as built in by the speaker designer are correct, but sections of the audio band may not have all the desired weight. If there is a lack of impetus, than you probably have the wrong speakers.

I have found - and maybe some of you have come to the same conclusion - that with certain designs "the right position" can make the sound thin. However, when weight and dynamics are there which give the instruments that tangible plasticity, than the speakers may not necessarily give that airy sound stage. MIRROR IMAGE Not all loudspeaker systems have the units placed in line, but only high price cabinets are configured to mirror each other. Take care that the tweeters are always on the inside. Not doing this will prevent the high frequencies to connect. The delicate frequencies will be blurred by the longer waves of the mid range units and or low mid transducers. The sound will become dull and it is difficult to realize a perfect stereo image. Even at the CES of 2006 in Las Vegas there was at least one manufacturer who had placed his expensive high end cabinets in such a way that the row with mid range units was obstructing the sound of the tweeters which were positioned at the outside.



POSITION OF THE TWEETERS When seen from the front it does not seems to be important to place a-symmetrical enclosures with the tweeters positioned in the inside. But when looked at the radiation pattern of the enclosures positioned with the tweeters to the outside, it is clear that the lobe of the low-mid frequency unit is obstructing the radiation coming from the tweeters, though it might seem not too severe. Nevertheless the better connection between left and right gives the best sound stage. The enclosures with the tweeter in the middle are symmetrical. There the radiation in both the vertical and horizontal planes are optimal. Although these drawings may seem just looking at the best placement in a theoretical way, you will see by experimenting that you will find the best sound stage when the tweeters are positioned inwards. What counts for the tweeters, also goes for mid range units if they are placed towards the edge of the baffle.



MONITOR SPEAKERS This article describes the best setup for a pair of stereo speakers in your private listening room. When using monitor speakers in a studio, the positioning of the tweeters as indicated above, does not apply to monitors if these are inclined somewhat. In that case the tweeters should be at the outside.

If the loudspeaker system has one or two woofers in one side panel, be sure to place the cabinets in such a way that the woofers are at the outside of the sound stage. If you do not, the waves of the woofers will deteriorate the sound of mid range units and tweeters. ATTACK So initially all things depend on the designer of the loudspeaker system. Did he in his concept give bloom to violoncelli and violins, and enough weight to tubas and trombones? What about the possibility to provide a sharp and fast drum? And what are the dynamic capabilities of the lower mid section? After all the most important part is the region of 200 to 400 Hz. where the entire weight and the most power of the whole orchestra or jazz band comes into action. No designer in his right mind would neglect this fact. LOW FREQUENCIES And what about the rendition of the lower frequencies under 100 Hz. In that region most designs for the average consumer do badly connect with the room.

Famous French loudspeaker builder Georges Cabasse originally opted for bass units with powerful magnets in closed volumes with a relative early roll-off which provides a smoothly decreasing characteristic. These loudspeaker systems functioned well in all sorts of rooms. Although the giants from a few years ago like Goeland, Brigantin and Albatros prefer larger listening rooms, they also connect very well if compared to the older B&W 801 (vented cabinet) for instance. TOO MUCH Bass reflex systems have the advantage of being fast (and do not need powerful magnets), but the bigger designs often have a bass that is not easily controlled in every listening room. Fortunately nowadays many small 2-way bassreflex systems have an early roll-off and are at the same time quite dynamic.

If you have put the speakers in a position where only the lowest frequencies get the most of acoustic support compared to the low mid region, than you will never get the sound right. Transient response will be impaired which can be heard in an uneven and lumpy attack. If your loudspeaker systems produce heavy bass, no matter where and in what room they are placed, you have a valid argument to look for new speakers. But do not fall into the same low frequency trap.

In certain cases it can be beneficial to add panels to the baffle if the distance to the back wall is too long. This improves the midband and makes the instruments more tangible. If you are not happy with your speakers I won't keep you from going to the shop and inquiring about the model that you read about in the review. But if the reason for the change is that you cannot get the sound right with the speakers you actually own, then you should read on before you go shopping. Bear in mind that there is a chance that you will not easily get the full benefit from a new pair of speakers if you have not exercised and tried your old speaker's potential to the full. It therefore is advised that you give your current speakers the attention they deserve. CONDITIONS My record collection is growing and growing. Once in a while I have to put extra shelves along one of the walls of my listening room. Of late the growth factor has been rather high. The result is that I became more and more unhappy with the sound that my speakers were producing. The extra record storage had changed the position of my speakers without moving them.

So the functioning had to be checked anew by determining the position to the left and right wall and keeping the correct distance between the left and right speaker.



CLEAR THINKING Generally speaking changes also can be brought about by a plant that is growing out of control or by adding a large painting or two to your collection on a wall. (Do never ever put plants in between the speakers or right behind one or both if you want the maximum of stage.) A new piece of furniture or a slight rearrangement of chairs also suffices to disrupt - although slightly - the familiarity of the acoustics. Even a little table in front of your listening chair does impair the stereo image and the correct flow of the sound.

Various changes can improve the acoustic properties of your room. If possible you should put no table (even the lowest) in between you and the loudspeakers.



OPENNESS Keep the space as open as possible. Finally an unfamiliar sounding could be brought about by the fact that one or both speakers were slightly moved when the room was cleaned. Even worse is of course a smaller or larger table reflkecting and redirecting the soundwaves. Or a plant distorting the image. And do not forget that the components placed in between speakers also have their benificial and most of the time detrimental effect.

If you are content with the way your speakers sound, leave them were they are. But if you suspect that they have more potential (because you heard them have it in somebody else's home), than you could try once again to change their position. Before you go ahead however, make a simple drawing showing the enclosures and the exact distances to the walls, floor and the distance between them, so you always can go back to the position they were in before you started experimenting.



SHOE BOX It is of the utmost importance to take the shape of the room into account.

As you know, a room that has the shape of a shoe box (and is in essence a very small replica of the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Symphony Hall in Boston or Gewandhaus in Leipzig), that room is better than an L shaped room or a very large square room.

L shapes and large square rooms have the disadvantage that there is not enough immediate reflection to be used in creating a well balanced sound. In general large and also irregular rooms are more appropriate for the bigger loudspeaker systems with baffles that are calculated in order to support the harmonious transition from one unit to the next without much help from the back and side walls. They need enough baffle in order to give weight to the sounds. CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SUBJECT

SOUND BALANCE In smaller rooms - like mine for instance which measures in centimeters the well appreciated 360 (W) x 610 (L) x 255 (H), a shoe box so to say - small speakers can attain an extremely high performance not only as far as the extension of the low end of the frequency band is concerned. By trying to regulate the best position it is possible to create a realistic sound balance.

The design of the speaker in relation to the listening room is of great importance. In general small 2-way systems if well designed give the best sound stage because of the use of a single driver for the low and mid frequencies. If cabinet and filters are well designed they will not introduce disturbing phase shifts. TWO VERSUS THREE SPEAKER CABINETS The Super Audio Digital Disc and the new formats which are being developed to give a more precise high resolution audio, make it possible to have a center channel as was originally recorded by the Mercury Living Presence team and proposed by C. Robert Fine. These recordings were also monitored on three loudspeaker systems. The insertion of a center channel and a center speaker may ask for a somewhat wider positioning of the left and right loudspeakers. In that case a narrow room does not allow the speakers to be positioned along the shortest wall. With three speakers the placement should be along the longest wall of the room. And there are two possibilities. One very straightforward as will be explained later, And the other the old fashioned way of angling the speakers so that the drivers are angled towards the listener(s) ears. See also CINERAMA and Trinaural microphone Placement



In certain cases the extra added baffle should be recessed. The total width can be up to 46 cm = 18 inches. FOOLED? Because of the physical properties of the cabinet (if it is a modern item), complaints are often heard that they do not sound at all what the reviewer was raving about or the manufacturer's brochure so eloquently promised. Sometimes loudspeaker systems are demonstrated in a shop while standing in a row with many other speakers. And of course the sound is completely different from what it should be.

Sometimes both the clerk in the shop and the music lover do not know how to create a coherent sound stage. Sometimes a not run-in speaker pair can give trouble as was the case with a new pair of Mission 750's (Jubilee design). Only after having used the speakers for a couple of days intensively the 750's started to sound more or less like the qualities the reviewer praised so much.

But then only after we went through a lot of trouble while matching the speaker's peculiar acoustic phase (at certain spots in the frequency band) with the nature of the room.

When reviewing loudspeakers we noticed that most had slam and sounded firmly at first but after a few days they lost their power and slam because the roll surround lost its firmness. DESIGN I count a few strongly high-end oriented audiophiles as my friends. They modified a commercial model by shortening the vertical distance between the tweeter and woofer by more or less eliminating the baffle and without redesigning the filter. As an extra they placed the small enclosures far away from walls and corners.

The sound never gets the weight it should have and what my friends are striving for. Naturally they keep telling others that the designer choose the wrong units. Their complaints sound logic because you can hear in their demonstrations that the sound is too meager in the bass and lower mid section and that it has no refined highs. Improvement would be possible if they would listen carefully, not only to the sound of music, but also to the sound advise of friends, some dealers and unbiased experts.

This also shows that the amateur speaker builder should actually build his design for a specific position in a room that has specific measurements and a corresponding volume. He could of course make his design compatible with other rooms. But then he would compromise the best possible solution and do what most commercial speaker builders do. CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SUBJECT



Click on the ad. ACOUSTICS I often ask a prospective buyer who asks for advice to make a drawing of his listening room and let him indicate furniture, equipment, loudspeakers, etc. and I discuss with him the layout. It can be necessary to add some damping on the walls in the form of panels, a few square feet of carpet halfway the room and a piece on the back wall, and probably in one far corner as well. Nowadays the fashion is to put just a few pieces of furniture in the room as if it were a museum of modern art. Such a room will behave badly. DAMPING The drawings that accompany this article show some solutions that can give you an idea of how the frequency characteristics of the room and of the speakers can be compensated for by adding damping panels (dp) to the left and right of the loudspeakers and in the corner to the left of the listening chair where the front end is located (record player, CD player and pre amplifier). The power amplifier is placed between the loudspeakers as is the custom nowadays.

If you have the bookshelf type of speakers that you have placed on the shelves you only need to experiment with the distance between them and the height. Here I deal with free standing and floor standing speakers.

At one time when I was changing equipment and loudspeakers I thought I could do without these damping panels and took them of the wall. But the new speakers did not sound well at all and I had to put the panels back. And was happy.

So if the acoustics are O.K., than you can start determining the right position of the speaker systems. CHOOSE A DIFFERENT SUBJECT