Rudy81 Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 I continue to search for the optimum set up for my Belles. I currently have them toed in, but wonder what the optimum set up is? For those of you with Belles, how do you have yours set up? I am am trying to optimize imaging with these beasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 I have Lascalas which are very similar in fact I bet almost Identical. Whay is your room size and where will you be seated in refernce to the speakers I imagine centered but how far back ? Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted September 7, 2003 Author Share Posted September 7, 2003 The room is my HT, which I also use for 2-ch listening. The Belles are the mains, 11' apart on center. My seat is centered between the two and 11' back from the CL of both speakers. Currently, they are toed in about 15 degrees. I can't toe them in any more due to their location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 7, 2003 Share Posted September 7, 2003 Well that shoots my recomendation down the tubes !! I'm in a similar setup but smaller area. I started with my Lascalas with extreme toe in so they fired directly in front of me I slowly lessoned the toe in as the imaging and soundfiled improved I kept going until it deminished. I ended up with them firing just a hair outside my ears which just about puts me in a prefect triangle of 9'. The imaging is and overall sound is incredible !! Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted September 7, 2003 Author Share Posted September 7, 2003 Overall, I'm satisfied, but am always looking to improve things. My seating and speaker placement are fixed due to the HT and room size limitations. I have a 100" screen between them, so can't move them in any more. My last option was to play with the toe in. Problem is, those things are not easy to move around on a carpet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted September 8, 2003 Author Share Posted September 8, 2003 After reading some Dope From Hope articles concerning toe-in, Paul Klipsch recommends quite a bit of toe in for his speakers. He addresses Imaging and other stereo characteristics. I followed his suggestions and toed in about 45 degrees, right at the listener and moved the speakers to the very corners. This made a significant improvement. The interesting thing, is that the sweet spot widened when I did this, instead of narrowing. I am much happier with this set up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted September 8, 2003 Share Posted September 8, 2003 Right on just like mine are in a perfect triangle. Soundstage just opens up when you have them just right ! I was amazed when I did this first to my Heresy's and then my Lascalas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyclonecj Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 I have mine on a 16' wall with my sofa 12.5 feet back from the wall. The Belle's are toed in so they point at the two outside seats of the 8' sofa, just outside the center seat. I also have about 10' behind my sofa to the rear wall, which I believe also makes a difference. After months of playing around, I found this the best for my room. You can see pics if you look at my link below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike82 Posted September 9, 2003 Share Posted September 9, 2003 Before I got my Khorns, I had Belles. They were placed in corners along a 21' wall. My listening seat is about 13' back from the front wall. After playing around, I found the best sound with the Belles firing a tad to the outside of each ear, ie, the on-axis intersection was a foot or two behind my head. The corner placement also firmed up the bass a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudy81 Posted September 9, 2003 Author Share Posted September 9, 2003 It's funny, I have noticed many comments by others telling people to move the speakers away from the corners. This contradicts what PWK describes as optimum setup. My room has some acoustic problems due to it's location on the second floor. The right side has a sloping ceiling next to the right speaker. This causes a slight emphasis on the right side. I have treated the room well with acoustic absorbers and tube traps. Most frequencies are controlled and there is very little flutter echo and a great reduction in standing waves, particularly bass frequencies. I am waiting on some egg crate sound absorbers for the sloped ceiing, hoping to tame the right speaker emphasis. After further listening, I'm still amazed at the difference the 45 degree toe in has made. Imaging and stage depth have greatly improved. While playing some vocal tracks I switched from Stereo to Dolby PL II and there is a very minimal difference with the center channel switched on and off. I've had my Belles since 1988 and can't beleive I'm just now getting around to finding this setup as optimal. Thanks to Justin for the Dope from Hope articles on Toe in. All your inputs are appreciated. BTW, any suggestions on favorite tracks for determining good imaging? I have been using some Frank Sinatra and Fleetwood Mac tracks to evaluate the imaging. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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