Speaker Decoupling, Tilting

[classicalguy]

I am using bookshelf speakers for audio with my computer. My monitor sits between the speakers. I read on Alesis's website that it is a good idea to place the speakers sideways with the tweeters out and the midranges inside for best imaging. I think this improved the sound some. However, The speakers are at the back of a flat desk, and I suspect I'd get some improvement by tilting them slightly upwards and decoupling them from the desktop. Any thoughts or recommendations on this?

[Wodgy]

Originally Posted by classicalguy

I am using bookshelf speakers for audio with my computer. My monitor sits between the speakers. I read on Alesis's website that it is a good idea to place the speakers sideways with the tweeters out and the midranges inside for best imaging. I think this improved the sound some. However, The speakers are at the back of a flat desk, and I suspect I'd get some improvement by tilting them slightly upwards and decoupling them from the desktop. Any thoughts or recommendations on this?

I suspect you misinterpreted what you read on the Alesis site. The typical suggestion for speakers with offset tweeters is to orient them with the tweeters on the outside. (For speakers with tweeters centered on the baffle, this advice doesn't apply at all.) However, you're not usually supposed to place the speakers on their side. That totally changes the lobing behavior of the speakers. The only reason to place them on their side is if you have to locate the listening axis much lower than your ears for some reason. In a typical MT speaker, the horizontal off-axis response is better than the vertical off-axis response.

[Vicks7]

Not all speakers are at their best decoupled - you would need to check with the manufacturer.

[classicalguy]

Well, Wodgy, here is the exact quote - you tell me if I've misread it:

"If you use hi-fi speakers as near-field speakers, for best results mount them horizontally, not vertically, with the tweeters at the extreme left and right sides and the woofers in the middle. The speakers should also face inwards slightly. When mounted this way, the highs (which are directional) have maximum separation, while the low frequencies (which aren't so directional) emanate more from the middle." http://www.alesis.com/support/cc/speakers.html

I figured it was a cheap tweak - if it ruined the sound, I could re-orient the speakers without much cost :-) But the truth is, I think the sound improved some - at least imaging improved. They look a little funny, though.

I don't know about the "lobing" effect.

I'm sure the sound would improve if I could minimize reflections off the desktop. Not sure how to do that, however.

[Wodgy]

That information is bogus. In most cases the tonal balance of speakers will be hurt by following that advice. I don't know who Craig Anderton is, but I can tell you he doesn't design speakers.

[ooheadsoo]

Well, he may design speakers, but...

[classicalguy]

Well, Wodgy, a bit of googling would turn up an answer to your question:

http://www.craiganderton.com/

His comments do not seem entirely illogical to me. If you're listening very close to the speakers, dispersion of sound is obviously a problem. If you think his suggestion is a bad one, shouldn't you be able to explain why? Why would the tonal balance be impaired?