rhd1953
Well-known member
I'm a new member and I can't help but notice many ML setups with the speakers close to the back wall.
I've had my ML CLS II's since 1989, in many different room sizes, and they always sound best positioned 1/3 out from the back wall AND with the listening position located 1/3 out from the front wall. I owned a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10's from 1975 to 1989 (bipolar speakers).
Try it, you might be really surprised.
The basic reason for this is that standing waves are cancelled AT the listening position and it produces the best sound field. Several tests are:
-louder bass, when you're in the next room (yep, you've got a standing wave)
-louder bass, when you move away from the listening postion
-a pair of stax electrostic head phones have the same flat bass response as the ML's do at the listening postion. Hard to find these now (inexpensively) but I always used them to monitor recording records to tape and to check room effects from my speakers (no sound reflections with electrostatic head phones).
-the upper frequency reflections are closer to those in the original recording hall. That is, the sound source (your speakers/the performers) are closer to you than their reflected sound.
I usually listen to compilations of various songs/performers and the different sound fields are clearly disconcernable with the ML CLS II's, even at quiet listening levels. Note: my sources are wav files(pc), cds, reel to reel tapes, internet radio, and records. Mp3 files are (lack clarity, esp.in bass) worse than local FM stations (boost the bass for optimum car listening!)
Lifting the ML CLS's up 21' increased the soundfield clarity! But I do have to tilt them down some. The 10' ceil is a key factor in an improvement by lifting the speakers.
My equipment is basic:
ML CLS II's, AR SP-9 pre amp, 2 Pioneer SPEC-4 power amp(s), Sony CDR-W33 (cd player/recorder), Pioneer TX-9500 turner, Alesis Multimix 6FX (pc & dvd audio to AR SP-9), Maplenoll turntable w/Clearaudio linear arm/Grado cartridges, TEAC 6300/Technic 1506 & 1500 reel to reels. All protected by APC LineR power regulators.
My listening room is 14'(-3'widex5'long closet) x 16.5' x 10'(ceiling), plaster walls/ceiling, wood floor with 8'x10' carpet. Scattered book and cd shelves. Speakers are ~5' from back wall, Sofa ~5' from wall.
I've had my ML CLS II's since 1989, in many different room sizes, and they always sound best positioned 1/3 out from the back wall AND with the listening position located 1/3 out from the front wall. I owned a pair of Dahlquist DQ-10's from 1975 to 1989 (bipolar speakers).
Try it, you might be really surprised.
The basic reason for this is that standing waves are cancelled AT the listening position and it produces the best sound field. Several tests are:
-louder bass, when you're in the next room (yep, you've got a standing wave)
-louder bass, when you move away from the listening postion
-a pair of stax electrostic head phones have the same flat bass response as the ML's do at the listening postion. Hard to find these now (inexpensively) but I always used them to monitor recording records to tape and to check room effects from my speakers (no sound reflections with electrostatic head phones).
-the upper frequency reflections are closer to those in the original recording hall. That is, the sound source (your speakers/the performers) are closer to you than their reflected sound.
I usually listen to compilations of various songs/performers and the different sound fields are clearly disconcernable with the ML CLS II's, even at quiet listening levels. Note: my sources are wav files(pc), cds, reel to reel tapes, internet radio, and records. Mp3 files are (lack clarity, esp.in bass) worse than local FM stations (boost the bass for optimum car listening!)
Lifting the ML CLS's up 21' increased the soundfield clarity! But I do have to tilt them down some. The 10' ceil is a key factor in an improvement by lifting the speakers.
My equipment is basic:
ML CLS II's, AR SP-9 pre amp, 2 Pioneer SPEC-4 power amp(s), Sony CDR-W33 (cd player/recorder), Pioneer TX-9500 turner, Alesis Multimix 6FX (pc & dvd audio to AR SP-9), Maplenoll turntable w/Clearaudio linear arm/Grado cartridges, TEAC 6300/Technic 1506 & 1500 reel to reels. All protected by APC LineR power regulators.
My listening room is 14'(-3'widex5'long closet) x 16.5' x 10'(ceiling), plaster walls/ceiling, wood floor with 8'x10' carpet. Scattered book and cd shelves. Speakers are ~5' from back wall, Sofa ~5' from wall.