[nyc_paramedic]

I've finally got my HT2-TLs setup in a new listening room, but we don't have a couch yet. I just measured the the height of the LCY tweeter (stock plinth, stock spiked) to the middle, and it's 37". The shortest chair that I currently have available puts the entrance to my ear canal at 42". 

In my search for a chair/couch, my ear, ideally, should be at 37", correct?

[Wayner]

Sounds like your being way too analytical for this application. As the distance between you and the speakers increase, the off-axis angle decreases, thus off axis nodes are really non-critical. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Wayner

[davidrs]

Sounds like your being way too analytical for this application. As the distance between you and the speakers increase, the off-axis angle decreases, thus off axis nodes are really non-critical. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Wayner

+1

Follow your ears, then your couch!

[eclein]

In my search for a chair/couch, my ear, ideally, should be at 37", correct?

If you want to shop all bent over like that I guess, or you could just get a really comfy piece and say, screw it....

[nyc_paramedic]

Sounds like your being way too analytical for this application. As the distance between you and the speakers increase, the off-axis angle decreases, thus off axis nodes are really non-critical. Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Just making sure.

Thanks.

[BikeWNC]

If you lengthen the front spikes so that the speaker is tilted 2º back then the tweeter axis plane will be raised 4.2" in 10'.      

[martyo]

I totally understand. While I was waiting for our HT3's we were shopping for 2 new chairs. The height of the center of the tweeter on the HT3's is 40". I brought a tape measure along and my wife measured to my ears as we checked out chairs.

The guys are right, chill.  But from my own experience, no higher than shoulder height for the back of the chair. Big difference, easy to hear it.

[Nuance]

If you lengthen the front spikes so that the speaker is tilted 2º back then the tweeter axis plane will be raised 4.2" in 10'.      

This is a good solution if it is still bothering you.  I am anal, so I did the same thing.

[Wayner]

If you lengthen the front spikes so that the speaker is tilted 2º back then the tweeter axis plane will be raised 4.2" in 10'.      

Of course, now you are screwing around with the phase/time alignment between the different drivers (woofer is now closer to you then the tweeter. If we are that curcial on ear to tweeter height, this has introduced a new (tho minuscule) variable to the picture, rather just leave well enough alone. Screw around with placement.

Wayner 

[Nuance]

Of course, now you are screwing around with the phase/time alignment between the different drivers (woofer is now closer to you then the tweeter. If we are that curcial on ear to tweeter height, this has introduced a new (tho minuscule) variable to the picture, rather just leave well enough alone. Screw around with placement.

Wayner 

Do you think that difference would be audible?  I would guess no, but I certainly am no speaker designer.  It kind of makes doing it in the first place moot, eh?  Now that I think about it, it didn't really measure any different...

[DMurphy]

I wouldn't sweat it either way, unless you're sitting very close.  What's 1 dB up or down among friends? 

[Tone Depth]

Wayner,

I've been thinking more about your comment and other's:  When you tilt a speaker to aim it at your ears, you are predominantly altering phase/time alignment of the floor and ceiling reflections, with respect to the direct sound wave path from the speaker to the ear.  This is because the vertical axis of the speaker front baffle is kept perpendicular to the ray extending from the speaker baffle to your ears, by geometric principles.  Therefore, if your ears aren't on-axis with the tweeter or relevant acoustic center of the speaker, the phase/time alignment of the direct sound waves will be slightly altered.

It seems to me that as long as the speakers are pointing directly at the elevation your ears are at, the phase/time alignment of the speakers isn't altered for the direct sound wave arriving at your ears, and the elevation the speakers are at doesn't matter a whole lot.  Tilting a set of speakers would probably have the least effect for near-field listening, where room effects are minimized.

If this analysis is correct, then by extension, when we listen we hear and process both the direct and reflected sound waves and the phase/time relationships of the various sound waves, giving our sense of soundstage depth and width.  When the timing of the direct and reflected sound waves changes, perhaps then we perceive the soundstage also changing.

I'm not sure if I've clearly described this, you may need to read this more than once.

Of course, now you are screwing around with the phase/time alignment between the different drivers (woofer is now closer to you then the tweeter. If we are that curcial on ear to tweeter height, this has introduced a new (tho minuscule) variable to the picture, rather just leave well enough alone. Screw around with placement.

Wayner 

[Wayner]

Tone Depth, well I guess we are splitting hairs, (I agree that there probably is no real perceived audible differences), because the angle is so small, but I think to your theory (and I like your thinking) that geometrically, the listener now has to lean forward 2 degrees to make things equal.

The only speakers that I have that I can tilt are my Martin Logans and when I tip them backwards, I think I hear time smear (but I could be full of crap, too), but the HF driver is 4 feet tall, and the Salks are almost point source.

Some speakers are designed with a very noticeable tip, like Wilson audio, but they may be doing this because of cross-over related issues.....I don't know.

I think Mr. Murphy does an outstanding job at C/O design and the speakers are truly designed to be in their normal upright position. This does not skew direct or reflected sound (at least from the original design concept, and IMHO offers the maximum time alignment) and then consequently, sound-stage that everyone dreams of.

But then that is just my stupid opinion.

Wayner

[Nuance]

But then that is just my stupid opinion.

Wayner

Well then add me to the "stupid list," because I totally agree.