PROPER SPEAKER PLACEMENT

A GUIDE TO OPTIMAL SOUND

1. Introduction

Setting up speakers correctly isn’t rocket science. But there are points to consider so that you can fully enjoy your music in the end.
And we want to give you the most important tip right at the beginning: “Listen, listen, listen.” Even the smallest changes to the speaker placement, the furniture, and your seating position can make a huge difference in the sound (or make it worse). Try out all the tips in this guide thoroughly and carefully before investing in expensive acoustic treatments!

Please understand the recommendations given here as a starting point. Every listening room has its own characteristics, and dimensions and proportions may differ from our specifications for your perfect sound. In addition to these general instructions, you will find the specific information for your model in brief in the accompanying user manual!

2. Definitions of Terms

2.1 Sweet Spot

The sweet spot refers to the optimal listening position where the music is balanced and sounds its full range. If you’re not sitting in this optimal position, individual instruments may no longer be properly located, or the high frequencies may be reduced.
Depending on the listening distance, radiation angle and other environmental variables, the sweet spot can be wider or smaller.

2.2 Phantom Sound Source / Phantom Center

A phantom sound source refers to the perceived center of the mono component of the music. For example, when a singer is standing centrally on stage and her singing seems to originate from precisely that point. The loudspeakers then recede into the background, and the phantom sound source is located as a central point exactly between the loudspeakers (phantom center).

2.3 Stereo Triangle

The ideal stereo triangle describes the arrangement of the speakers and the listening position in an equilateral, inverted triangle. In other words, all distances are identical and the resulting interior angles are exactly 60°.

2.4 Room Acoustics

Room acoustics is a branch of acoustics that deals with the structural characteristics of a room. And every room is different! The living room, in particular, is often the largest room with many unique features that can have both positive and negative effects. Examples include symmetrical (square) or asymmetrical dimensions (bay windows, eat-in kitchens), ceiling height, carpets or hard floors, furniture, glass fronts, etc.

2.5 Baffle

The baffle refers to the front of the loudspeakers. It is the plane in which the individual drivers are mounted.

3. Proper Speaker Placement

TIP: Proceed chronologically when implementing the following steps.

3.1 The Distance to the Back Wall

This point affects the bass reproduction and the depth of field.

LautHolz loudspeakers always have their bass reflex ports facing rearward. Therefore, a minimum distance of approximately 60cm should be maintained between the baffle and the rear wall.
The 1/5 rule has also become established. This involves leaving a distance of approximately one-fifth of the room depth to the rear wall, measured from the baffle.
The further the speakers are from the back wall, the deeper the soundstage can be. The challenge here is to find a compromise between bass response and soundstage depth.

TIP: Both speakers should ideally be the same distance from the back wall.

3.2 The Distance to the Side Walls

This point affects the bass reproduction and the stereo image.

A minimum distance of 80cm is recommended. The 1/5 rule also applies here, but the speakers should be positioned at a distance of approximately one-fifth of the room width.
Position the speakers as far away from the side walls as possible. This will delay the perception of first reflections from the walls, reducing unwanted effects on sound localization.
As a general rule: if the speakers are placed too close to the side walls, this can lead to an imbalance in the sound. Conversely, the stereo image will appear very small if there is hardly any interaction with the side walls.

TIP: Equal distance between both speakers and the side walls has a positive effect.

TIP: The distances to the back wall and the side wall should not be the same. A ratio of at least 1 : 1.3 is recommended.

3.3 The Distance Between the Speakers

This point affects the stereo image.

A distance of at least 2 meters is recommended. As a further rule of thumb, the distance between the loudspeakers should not exceed 1.2 times the distance to the listening position. This means that, for example, if the listening distance is 2.5 meters, the two loudspeakers should be no more than 3 meters apart.
Note: the greater the distance between the speakers, the more space is available for the stereo panorama. However, too great a distance negatively affects the soundstage. A gap literally appears, and the phantom center can fall apart. Conversely, if the speakers are too close together, the sounds blend together, and the stereo image can collapse.

3.4 The Listening Position

This point affects the depth of field and the stereo image.

The most important rule of thumb: place both speakers the same distance from your listening position. Use a tape measure to accurately measure the distance to the baffle. The resulting triangle doesn’t necessarily have to be equilateral (an isosceles triangle is also suitable). However, the closer you get to an equilateral triangle, the better the result can be.
Listening distance to the rear wall: Maintain the greatest possible distance from the rear wall to minimize the effects of reflections and avoid overemphasizing the bass. The 1/5 rule applies here as well. A distance of approximately one-fifth of the room depth is a solid starting point.

TIP: If sitting close to a wall is unavoidable, use absorbers behind your ears.

3.5 Rotating the Speakers

This point affects the stereo image and the reproduction of high and mid frequencies.

Angle the speakers so that the point where the sound intersects is behind your head. Consider this as your starting point. Further inward and outward rotation can significantly improve the stereo image.
Even small changes at this point have a significant impact. Gradually work your way towards the sweet spot. Make sure you don’t change the distance between the baffle and the side or rear walls. Angle the baffle inwards or outwards around its center point (see red mark)!
The more precisely the speakers are aimed at you, the more the highs and mids will be emphasized. Besides stereo perception and the focus on the phantom center, your personal taste is the deciding factor here.

TIP: The closer the speakers are to your listening position, the more you should angle the speakers. The further they are to the listening position, the less you should angle them.

4. Tips and Tricks

Bass reproduction: Amplifying measures include:

Move the speakers closer to the back wall (plus ~3dB)
Move the speakers closer to the back and side walls (plus ~6dB)
Move the seating position closer to the back wall

If the bass is booming at the listening position, try repositioning in the opposite direction.
Bass cancellations between 80-200Hz should be avoided. In practical terms, this means that the distance between the baffle and the wall behind it should not be between 0.8m and 2.2m.

Mid- and treble reproduction: If the midrange and treble sound is overemphasized, angle the speakers slightly wider so they are less directly aimed at you. If you find the midrange and treble lacking, position the speaker baffle directly at your listening position.

Soundstage, localization and stereo imaging: A greater distance from the back wall often results in better depth perception. A greater distance from the side walls often leads to a wider stereo image.
In an equilateral stereo triangle setup, with speakers angled too sharply (pointing directly at the listening position), the soundstage often appears too small. Position the speakers at a distance of up to 1.2 times the listening distance and avoid excessive angling.
In addition to the same distance from the walls (to the rear and sides), the surface of the side walls should also be made of the same material.
No objects may be placed between the listening position and the loudspeakers.

Equal conditions: Both speakers should be placed in as similar an environment as possible. This includes height, distance to the rear and side walls, rotation, etc..
Another requirement for equal conditions is that you sit exactly in the middle between the equally aligned speakers.

Decoupling / coupling: The cabinet of a loudspeaker is primarily set into vibration by the movements of the bass drivers and the internal sound pressure. In the loudspeakers from LautHolz, these vibrations are transmitted to the floor via the stand design. Our rubber feet provide increased coupling, thus dissipating the resonances into the floor.
The following principle may still help to improve the sound:
Decoupling for vibrating floors / coupling for hard floors.

Room acoustics: A room’s acoustics can usually be improved by prioritizing diffusion over absorption. Too much absorption can make the room sound dull and lifeless. A little reverberation and liveliness are perfectly acceptable.
Bass traps can be helpful when used correctly. However, if used incorrectly, they can cause serious damage. Instead, use soft furnishings and large or heavy curtains. Avoid hard surfaces and large amounts of glass.

Sound material: The key is – know your recording! A classical piece, which allows you to pinpoint the location of each individual instrument after optimal setup, is not suitable for adjusting the phantom center. Use audiobooks, for example, which are recorded with virtually no spatial information.

Still dissatisfied? If the result is still unsatisfactory, try making changes to the room itself. Change your seating position and/or the position of the speakers and go through the instructions again step by step. If possible, arrange the furniture to create the most ideal listening environment possible.