Speaker Placement: 10 Things To Consider Beyond Spousal Approval

Regardless of how hard you try, you will never be able to eliminate the effect your room has on your audio. However, with a little experimentation you may be able to use your room to your favor.

The positioning of your speakers relative to your listening position is probably the most important factor you need to consider when setting up your listening room, so start with the physical set-up of your speakers and listening position before you worry about anything else. You just may be amazed at the difference in sound quality just a few inches can make. 

In the figure below, the positions of two loudspeakers were changed by only 1 1/2 feet (.5m) relative to each other, but you can clearly see significant differences in how the speakers responded. The clearest example of this is in the frequency range right around (and above) 90 Hz. 

This figure clearly illustrates the need to experiment with speaker placement. Blame is often laid on lack of amplification or bad loudspeaker performance when a simple adjustment of even a couple of inches in speaker placement can make a world of difference. While there are no one-size-fits-all suggestions because of all the variables (room size, decor, surfaces present, amplification, source, etc.), there are a few guidelines you can follow that will make your listening experience even better (with a little experimentation and patience).

At the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that you like what you are hearing. There's a lot of science involved in audio but trust your ears to be the most precise listening instrument you will ever have access to!

The figure below will give you some basic tips on speaker positioning:

1. Your speakers should be between 6 and 12 feet apart, with a wall behind them, and the prime listening position should be the same distance from the speakers as the speakers are apart – forming an equilateral triangle. Of course, with KEF's Uni-Q technology, the "sweet-spot" for the best stereo image is broadened considerably, giving you a wide range of "sweet spots" in your listening room but it's good to have a baseline to start from.

2. For best low-frequency response, experiment with the distance between your speakers and the front wall (the wall behind the speakers). The typical optimal distance is between 1 and 5 feet and both speakers should be the same distance from the front wall.

3. Try to have the listening position as far away from the rear- (or side-) walls as possible.

4. For optimal stereo imaging the left and right side-walls should be the same distance from the loudspeakers and the surface should be made of the same material. 

5. The optimal distance to the side-walls from the speakers varies with the speaker and the room’s audio environment Proximity to the side-walls can create an imbalance in the timbre of the speakers, but conversely, a complete lack of interaction with side-walls may result in a very small stereo image. Experimentation is the key.

6. If you are going to acoustically treat your room, think diffusion instead of absorption. Absorption may quiet some reflections, but it may do so at the cost of making your room sound dull and lifeless – a little reverberation or "liveness" is a good thing!

7. Toeing in the speakers may help with high-frequency response and the perception of the stereo image (make sure you toe both speakers in equally). With KEF's Uni-Q, balance doesn't suffer as you move off-axis (off the equilateral triangle) so keeping the speakers flat (not toed-in) may actually be an excellent solution for rooms that are too lively. Experiment before you invest in acoustic treatments.

8. Make sure your distances are equal. Use a tape measure. Your brain is very sensitive to differing arrival times of sound to your ears.

9. Bass traps can help if they are done right. Bass traps can do wonders to increase low-frequency response in your room, but a bass trap that is not constructed correctly, or is not the right size, can do more harm than good. Remember that in a standard room there are twelve corners, not just four, that affect your bass response. A bass trap that is effective on frequencies below 80Hz typically needs to have a volume of 15 cubic feet, so yeah, that could potentially take up a lot of room in your room.  

10. If you're still not happy, you may need to start with a different approach to your set-up. Change your room around. Listening position is just as important as speaker position, and the elements and surfaces in your room play a huge role in how your room sounds as well.

The audio world (and internet) is filled with thousands of bits of advice on how to place your speakers, but what may have worked for one person in one situation might not be the best solution for you in your situation. Take some time, enjoy the process and experiment – you’ll know when your speakers are set up correctly by how they sound!