[LA mitchell]

I feel like I'm VIOLATING some kind of AUDIOPHILE-CODE by putting my speakers
on a shelf on either side of the amp...  I realize I'm not going to get a really
nice SOUNDSTAGE from this....

I'm just wondering if I am losing any other BIG BENEFITS by not putting
my speakers on proper SPEAKER STANDS?

Can someone alleviate my mental-anguish so I can just enjoy the music?

Thanks!

[ajzepp]

I have a pair of little AudioEngine A2s, and I keep them on a solid surface. I did pick up some neoprene isolations pads, though, and those seem to have tightened up the bass a bit.

[JLM]

Most speakers are designed to function best (extent of soundstage/flat bass output) away from back/side walls.  Professional studio monitors, controlled directivity designs, infinite baffles, and corner horns are examples to the contrary. 

Another problem with your setup is the vibrations from the speakers can possibly causing microphonic feedback.

[Zero]

Looks like a simple no-fuss lil' stereo system.  Just kick back and enjoy the music.  If you're not happy with the results, come back .. tell us what you're not likin'... and I'm sure some useful suggestions will be made.

[stlrman]

What kind of speakers are they?
You can try tilting them up in the front a few inches.

[Rclark]

You're not breaking some club rule or something, it's just not going to sound as good as it could. It'll work, sure, it'll make music, which is pretty much what you were after, right?

Basically, if you don't care, then it doesn't matter. Just press play.

[dB Cooper]

As a full-on assault on the state of the art, it is no doubt a miserable failure.

But is that really what you're after? I suspect not.

There are things that can be done, like covering the shelf with a throw rug for example, that would help with diffraction, microphonics, resonances etc, at minimal cost. A heavy white woven curtain over the window would deaden the wall behind the speakers, improve the sound quite a bit, and still let light in.

Do you enjoy listening to music on your system is the only question that matters. If anybody doesn't like it, effem. They might actually not enjoy their system any more than you enjoy yours.

[charmerci]

mitchell,

What is that old receiver?

[chrisby]

Do you enjoy listening to music on your system is the only question that matters. If anybody doesn't like it, effem. They might actually not enjoy their system any more than you enjoy yours.

words of wisdom

[bretth]

As per everyone else. If you like how it sounds then that is the most important thing, but...

I found that using vibrapods helped cutdown the vibrational feedback that went back into the speaker, and also sticking them close to the edge helped as much, or bracing the shelf directly under the speaker.

The aim of the game is to direct the speaker vibrations down and away from the speaker. The main problem with bookshelves is that in the middle if you put your hand on it with the speaker going you'll feel the vibrations which will be travelling back into your speaker box and muddying the bass.

Imagine Rolf Harris and his wobble board (youtube it). The push pull of your speakers is going to create the wobble at the weakest point but the aim of any stand is to make one end stay still (Rolf's hands) and direct the wobble away from your speakers so it is not changing the bass.

[LA mitchell]

I tried some of the isolation pads last night and the difference was VERY noticeable! 
The sound went from blurry/fuzzy to clear INSTANTLY. 

I'm gonna try DB COOPER's suggestion next by getting my gfriend to put up some CURTAINS.

Thank You!  I like AUDIO CIRCLE, I used to be on head-fi but sold my PHONES so I could get a 2 channel system. It's been tough choosing which FORUM to spend time in because there are SO MANY (audio kharma, audiogon, audio asylum, stereophile, etc).

Mitchell

p.s. Charmerci, it is actually just made to look retro-ish.. it's a tube amp from a company called TOKYO SOUND.

[chrisby]

Looks to me like a window ledge, which will be far more structurally rigid than any bookshelf, so its vibration will likely not be as big and issue as reflection/diffraction from very close boundaries.   

Try setting the boxes closer to front of window ledge and closer to the side walls of window recess.  If you could manage something aesthetically acceptable acoustic treatment at the corner, so much the better.   

[Folsom]

You could try flipping them upside down so the woofer doesn't load the area as much.

Isolation pads/anything to get them from being directly on the mantel was a great step forward.

[charmerci]

You could try flipping them upside down so the woofer doesn't load the area as much.

Except then, the tweeters will be firing directly into the couch.

[corndog71]

No worries.  Sometimes we all have to compromise to life. 

This is my current living room system.

[Folsom]

Except then, the tweeters will be firing directly into the couch.

Not if it gains a few inches from being on top of something.

I bet the tweeter sounds louder when the woofer isn't as loaded, even if facing a couch! You have to try to know.

[ajzepp]

No worries.  Sometimes we all have to compromise to life. 

This is my current living room system.

That looks just like my Samsung LCD...I've had it for about five or six years now...still produces an image that is just as impressive as the day I bought it! 

Mitchell: Glad the isolation pads worked for ya 

[Rclark]

I have a smaller Samsung LCD too, couple years old, it's 25 inches and I paid $400, didn't want a cheapie. Love it. It will be the screen for my squeezebox one of these days. Then a much larger Sammy to replace it.