[Delacroix]

I picked up a little Bosch laser measure for $35 on Amazon recently on a whim to do some stuff at home. Put it to great use this weekend measuring my speaker locations. I've been a bit of a fan of the Masterset method recently (see the placement sticky here on the circle for links) but something post-RMAF has caused me to play around a bit more with layout. Consequently, the speakers have moved around a bit over the last few weeks, and even though I used a 36" ruler or a measuring tape to compare position to walls, I realize it is difficult to be exact with a ruler. This little Bosch has proved very handy at locking in precise location to walls. It is rectangular so it can be placed on the top of the speaker with accuracy and aimed at the wall. If you want to get each speaker located exactly the same distance from, say, the rear wall, then this type of tool is great. It's surprising how hard it can be to get both to measure the same distance, and while a ruler or tape can do it, the laser measure really helped me nail that last 1/16th of an inch. And those Anni 5s are not simple to move, even with HAL gliders under the spikes.

Also used it to play with toe-in. I tend to use minimal but for an experiment I tried aiming it so the two speakers fired in a way to cross over behind my head. Didn't care for the results so started widening the angle out til I got the results I liked, which is again with only slight toe in. The real point here is that the laser is great for checking your imagined lines of sight, your real distance to the speakers when seated, the distance between the two inside cabinet walls of the stereo pair, even if the speaker tops are level with respect to height. Interesting data checks that can be made in a couple of minutes.

All this would count for little if I didn't like the results but I can say that getting the position with respect to walls and seating position measured as accurately as possible has helped me tweak set up to the point where I am pleased. Ended up with both speakers out a little further than they had been with the Masterset approach. I've still got the bass evenness that the Masterset provided but with a better soundstage on more recordings than previously. Definitely worth the cost of the laser measure, and conformation that sometimes those 1/16ths of an inch matter.

[jab]

Neat!!  Plz post the model # of the measure as I am def interested!  Jack

[Delacroix]

Jack - it's the Bosch GLM 15  -- can't get a pic in quickly but Amazon has the range -- this one good for 50ft, you can buy models with greater range but this one is small and pretty perfect for my needs. Of course, for owners with more than 50ft listening rooms you might want to upgrade

[ACHiPo]

I second the recommendation of the laser "tape measure".  I have the Bosch GLM 15--I think it was $30 at a box store.  The only thing I don't like is that its LCD display is small and not backlit and so can be hard to read when doing the gyrations it seems I need to do to check distances.  It would be easier if my speakers had perpendicular sides, but that's not the laser's fault.

[Don_S]

My speakers do not really have tops that would accommodate the Bosh tool. So I will take this topic a little sideways.  I can measure fairly accurately with a wooden yardstick. I use it to protect against accidental scratches.  What I have the hardest time doing is getting my speakers off the gliders and getting the spikes set where I measured.  I have not found a way to move my speakers with spikes on gliders. They punch through.  I have tried putting a metal or wood plate between the spikes and the glider but they spikes slide off. I have to replace the spikes with flat feet to use the gliders. Then I have to switch back to spikes when I get the speakers positioned.

I have carpet and padding over concrete so once the speaker is set, spikes grab the carpet and prevent movement without lifting the speaker again. Seems to me the laser tool is wishful thinking if measurements are made while on gliders and then they are removed. At least it would be in my case with carpet.

My speakers are slightly off but then again, so am I so it all works out.  I stop obsessing about the last 1/16" and enjoy the music. 

[jab]

Ck out gliders from Herbies Audio Lab.  Spikes slip into a metal well and allows for movement over carpet or wood floors. 

[Don_S]

Ck out gliders from Herbies Audio Lab.  Spikes slip into a metal well and allows for movement over carpet or wood floors.

Thanks but that is more than I want to spend just to move my speakers. Looks like I would need the Giant Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders at $32.98 each.  The smaller version is only 1 3/8" in diameter.  They would sink into my carpet. I do not need isolation, just a way to move speakers across my padded carpet.

[es347]

..I've got 3cm granite slabs that you can position your spikes and cups on and the granite slides easily on carpet.  I now have wood on concrete so I installed furniture gliders under the granite slabs for ease of moving...works well and looks cool

[DaveC113]

Thanks but that is more than I want to spend just to move my speakers. Looks like I would need the Giant Cone/Spike Decoupling Gliders at $32.98 each.  The smaller version is only 1 3/8" in diameter.  They would sink into my carpet. I do not need isolation, just a way to move speakers across my padded carpet.

Spiking to concrete causes harshness issues, it's far better to decouple anyways imo.

[Don_S]

Spiking to concrete causes harshness issues, it's far better to decouple anyways imo.

My experience with several speakers at both my home and friends is coupling to concrete tightens up bass and the midrange. It removes muddiness and allows everything, including high frequencies to sound better.  I have never noticed increased harshness.  I have only noticed positive improvements across the board---every time.

[DaveC113]

My experience with several speakers at both my home and friends is coupling to concrete tightens up bass and the midrange. It removes muddiness and allows everything, including high frequencies to sound better.  I have never noticed increased harshness.  I have only noticed positive improvements across the board---every time.

That's cool, I've had best result decoupling/isolating but every situation is different.

[Don_S]

That's cool, I've had best result decoupling/isolating but every situation is different.

Yes, and doesn't that just suck. 

[Delacroix]

I will say that I use Herbie's gliders under my spikes (Soundcity Outriggers) and not only do they slide easily enough on my wooden floor, but they improved the  sonics too, especially in the bass  Worth the price to me but that's a whole other story....the Bosch has a square end and can be placed against any flat surface of your speaker for a reference measurement. Not to say you can't use as ruler to be as accurate but I was surprised at how imprecise my measurements appeared to be when I checked with the laser.

Of course, this does not help solve the problem of positioning with sliders then adding the spikes for carpet. I might suggest assistance from strong friend and rocking the speakers on to their rears once situated with gliders to allow the front spikes to be positioned accurately, slowly lowering to check, or raising back and sliding a little more to adjust. Then when positioned on the front accurately, raising the back up off the gliders and installing spikes then....it's a form of rock and roll really