12 inches is a lot to move them all at once. But, really, the only one that can answer your question is you. Move the speakers too far apart and you may (I repeat, may) lose imaging---or you may improve it.
Most folks use certain tracks---especially ones with a clear center voice---a la Diana Krall, etc.) so that you can relatively easily determine whether a voice that's supposed to be hovering in mid-air/centered between your speakers actually does. I've certainly found that an inch or so will make a definite and noticeable difference in pulling a voice off to one side or another (assuming the listening position is also centered). The other variable here is that not all recordings put the main instrument or voice dead-center, so you have to watch that so you don't precisely and lovingly place your speakers using a recording that's not centered and then have the other 90% of your recordings sound off. Best thing to do, if you can, is start with your listening position at an equal distance from each speaker if possible. There are mathematical computations you can do to set speaker and listening distance separation if you prefer something more empirical. I believe Cardas has a computational method out there on the web somewhere if you search. However, rooms are different and even the mathmatical models may only provide you a starting point. Having a laser measurment device or the cheap alterntive: string (but it's stretchy) helps in order to get some precision. If your chosen starting point isn't satisfactory, move the speakers inward or outward an inch at a time until the voice starts to move off-center and/or you start to feel the soundstage getting constricted. You can also experiment with toeing the speakers in--again in increments. Your particular speakers may have a wide or very narrow band of positioning in which they will project a nice spacious image with a voice remaining centered. Again, only experimentation will tell. Last thing I can say is that it can take a lot of time (and a bit of frustration) to get it right---definitely helps to have a willing partner. I find I get listening fatigue after an hour or two and, if you think you've got it right and aren't 100% convinced, sometimes it helps to wait overnight and come back to it the next morning after you're ears are refreshed. -- rgro Rg System information ------------------------ Main: PS Audio Quintet > Vortexbox > Teddy Pardo PS, Touch (wired) > Toslink > Rega DAC > LFD LE IV Signature amp > VA Mozart Grands > REL Acoustics R305. Home Theatre: Duet/SBR (Wired) > Pioneer VSX 919 > Energy Take 5 Classic 5.1. SBS 7.7.1 r33751 on a Vortexbox Appliance, V 2.0, Touch: FW 7.7.1 r9558. Duet: FW 7.7.1 r9557. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ rgro's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=34348 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=93802 _______________________________________________ audiophiles mailing list audiophiles@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/audiophiles
