Speaker toe-in

I hear a slight bias to my left speaker, possibly due to my room shape. I have two options, use the balance control to de-emphasize the left side, or can I remove the toe-in by having the speakers parallel to each other.

I did get my ears checked by an audiologist and there were no issues there.

Let me know your thoughts …

202, HI, NAPSC, 200, B&W 705


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Balance control.
Isn’t that what it’s for?

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Complicated. If the left speaker is closer to a sidewall than the right removing any toe-in might exacerbate the problem with first reflections. Probably best do a sketch plan of your room plan and speaker position to get the best advice.

Otherwise, the balance control it is!

G

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There often seems a reluctance to use the balance control. :thinking:

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The last accepted compromise it seems. :thinking:

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Preffered balance control of choice. :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

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Is n’t it an option to move one of the speakers a little bit inward or outward? Or move the listening position a little bit?

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You wouldn’t continue to listen to the music at a level deafening just becaue you believed the volume was at the optimum level. Or maybe people would…

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I added a couple of pics for reference. The first is from the listening position, the second is a wide angle to show the room shape.

Balance control looks like the solution.

G

As it takes no more than a couple of seconds to use the balance control, and not a lot more than a to rotate a small stand mounted speaker, why not just try and see what you prefer? After all, everybody’s room is unique, even if they have an identical system, and different people have different perceptions of the sound they hearing, so what works for one person and room might not work for another person in different room. Different perhaps if it would take hours to try, or involve cost, but that’s that’s not the case!

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Are those speakers designed to be either toed in of forward facing?
In any case, that room does not ‘look’ to be sonically asymmetrical.

A sofa half way in the room might help. :scream:

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I’d try adjusting the toe-in and listen. It’s easy enough to move them back if you prefer it or if it doesn’t achieve your desired result.

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Have you a) switched the speakers around; b) switched the speaker connections around at amp end; and c) switched the actual speaker cables around, to rule out issues with the speaker, amp or cables (respectively)?

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One crucial aspect that music lovers often overlook is toeing-in their speakers, a simple adjustment that can significantly enhance soundstage, imaging, and clarity.


Angling your speakers slightly inward toward the listening position rather than having them face straight forward. This small adjustment can make a dramatic difference in how the sound waves reach your ears. Depending on the room, the speakers, and your listening preferences, toe-in can help you achieve more precise imaging, improve focus in the soundstage, and even balance the tonal quality.

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Think most here are fully aware of the possible benefits of speaker placement.

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Don’t forget to double check your speaker cable plugs. I had some dodgy solder joints and the odd broken wire within my left cable a few years ago which manifested itself in a perceived bias to the right. Cutting the bad bit off and properly soldering solved it. It’s something that is easily overlooked.

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You could also try just moving one speaker either slightly more forward or backwards to get the sound equal in timing, etc.

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Adjust your toe-in on one speaker and/or try moving one speaker slightly forward/backward (as Dunc suggests).

Placement and toe-in does not have to be symmetrical - best to keep using your ears until it sounds right.

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