do I toe in the mains for my situation

[rmm2112]

All -- I unfortunately have a setup where i can not sit directly centered in front of my screen (and as well as the center speaker). But my question is - should I still toe-in the mains toward the center listening area (which no one is there) or point them straight, which will actually make the cones face the listener more so then toed in?

Or is it one of those try both and see how it sounds to you?

thanks in advance

[Uniquely]

It's definately a try it and see. Speaker placement, seating location and distance, and room acoustics will all play a part in how much, if any, toe in you need.

[rmm2112]

that is what I thought --- am i guessing correctly that toe in is used to "point" the cone toward the listener in an optimum set-up? So that the sound fields will all converge at the same sweet spot.

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by rmm2112

that is what I thought --- am i guessing correctly that toe in is used to "point" the cone toward the listener in an optimum set-up? So that the sound fields will all converge at the same sweet spot.

Point the speakers towards the spot you sit at most, i.e., the "sweet spot."

Also,do some calibration with the built-in feature if your receiver has one as well as with an SPL meter.

[Rob J in WNY]

rm2112,

Yes, definitely position the speakers in a toe-in fashion toward your current primary listening position. You will derive a more accurate sound that way, as higher frequencies are highly directional in nature.

If your A/V receiver has a function which allows you to adjust the distances from your speakers to your listening area individually, take advantage of this and set the distances accordingly to your primary listening position. This may help avoid soundfield 'collapse' from speaker output arriving at your ears at minutely different times.

It may be helpful to know what receiver you have so that I or others can help you. Many receivers have built in setup schemes which use a microphone and test tone bursts to calibrate speaker distances and levels for you automatically.

[JimShaw]

Originally Posted by louhamilton

Point the speakers towards the spot you sit at most, i.e., the "sweet spot."

Also,do some calibration with the built-in feature if your receiver has one as well as with an SPL meter.

Exactly what I do with six speakers. Since I am the KING of my surround sound, I point all speakers to where I sit and then use the meter to make sure I am getting the best AQ possible at that spot.

[aramis109]

Depends on the speaker and the distance. Of course, never hurts to try but my speakers sound better pointed straight out- Def Tech even recommends no toe-in on their bipolar speakers.

If you're really close, then you may need toe-in. Otherwise, with more distance it may not be required.

[Beta Man]

Some speakers are designed to be facing directly straight-ahead..... it depends on how far from center you and the speakers really are too.

[rmm2112]

thanks for all the replies -- I put in my sig info now for equipment. Beta_man I think I will have to do what you did and tweak it for MY position. That part of the problem I think. The seating for everyone is on the edge of the sound field. The large 4'x4' coffee table has the best seat in the house. I appreciate the feedback --- I'll have to post pics so others can help easier in the future.

I did run calibration via the Denon but I put the primary mic position in between the two main listening areas because I wasn't sure if the delay, db level, would be too off in the 2nd listening position.

just trial and error I guess..........

thanks