STONES SOUND STUDIO

                                    HDS Speaker Kits room positions

                                   Hometheatre and Stereo Application

                                                by
                                          Russell Storey

                                       Models 455,255,250,150                    Jan 2007 

                       Designers Notes on setting up speakers and room position

ü   The speaker spacing, location and distance to the listener are critical in enabling the optimum sound

ü   The best position for the HDS series L&R speaker is from 2.4M apart to  2.54M  apart standard when located  parallel to rear wall for medium size rooms  (3x 4)M and (4 x 5)M 
And up to 4M apart can be used  with large rectangular  rooms (6 x 9) Mtrs

ü   Use masking tape on the floor around the base of the speaker to mark the
   box position as a reference point for position adjustments.

ü  Amplifier Left & Right Channel level (balance) will effect everything

ü  Set Left & Right Channel volume level (balance) by ear or by level meter using  a pink  or white noise test tone generated in your Hometheatre receiver or with stereo amplifiers using a  noise test tone from a  CD/DVD disc . Do all level tests & positioning tests whilst seated in    the centre listening position (lay back lenny lounge chair).

ü  Important Note :
   You need to re check and reset the  Amplifier Left & Right Channel level
  (balance) each  time you move the speaker position OR change the program sound source

ü    The HDS series speakers were designed for medium to large rooms with a nominal seating distance of 3.7M, but can be also used in small rooms and flats as well
with fine-tuning.

ü   The closer you get to the rear or adjacent walls then the more "bass boom" you will get and LF room refraction increases.

ü   With tile or suspended wood Floors, I recommend adding a piece of 12mm thick Grey Furniture removalists felt underneath each speaker box the size of its base.
This also makes positioning speakers a breeze.

ü   Moving speakers out from the rear or adjacent walls will reduce the lower bass end and lift the mid and top end balance (like a see saw effect).
This means you will get tighter bass transients the further out into the room you move the speakers.

ü    The shorter the listening distance to the speakers  the more you will  need to rotate or toe the speakers outwards   

ü   The closer you get to the speaker the more this affects the on and off axis listening experience and thus affects the depth of field, Bass, Hf & mid balance

ü   Gradually Toeing the Speakers outwards from your centre sweet spot so they are parallel to the back wall will reduce HF & mids.

ü   As you appreciate, there are many variables in acoustics and the room environment is a huge variable.

ü   Remember like a motor car all speakers need to be run in over at least 2 months or 50 to 100 hrs

ü    One-step at a time lads will achieve a lot.

ü    In addition, may be its time to consider upgrading your speaker cable, equipment & interconnects which will enable the speakers to provide even more detail& dynamics to your listening experience.

Please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your project 

Kind Regards

Russell                             Stones Sound Studio