Phasing


Just got new speakers and I’m trying to set them up.  I have to say that so far they don’t sound as good as they did in the store.  One question is about phasing.  I’ve triple checked that the wires are black to black and red to red on both speakers.  I have two cds with in focus and out of focus phasing bands.  The in focus/in phase sounds ok-you can pinpoint the source. But the out of focus/out of phase sounds very similar—not the very  obvious difference I heard on my previous speakers using the same test.  Anyone know what to make of this?   Should I try reversing the wires on one speaker even though I’m sure they’re wired black to black and red to red and the in phase test sounds ok?  The other thing I’m noticing is that, while the speakers didn’t sound so good right out of the box, they’re either improving quite a lot as I use them or I’m getting used to the sound.  I know that new speakers should be broken in but can there really be that much difference over a couple of weeks of use?
fast
If these are not the same set you heard at the store, they could be wired incorrectly somewhere inside.  Try and buy or borrow a test disc (like Stereophile #1), with in-phase and out-of-phase tracks, which make the difference very clear.
Try wiring out of phase and see what happens. Though they might be wired wrong internally, it would be rare-unless these are used speakers.
And, yes speakers do need to get broken in. It might just be the case, here. 
Can you talk to the dealer? Or,contact the manufacturer?
What brand are they?
B
Speaker set up is critical. By way of example, using one of those disc's you referred to I had my system dialed in fairly well, i.e. no center image when 'out of phase'. Then I shifted my chair about 6 inches to the right, trying to correct a slight perceived shift of 'in phase' image to the left, and the 'out of phase' image sort of centered it self, albeit not as well defined. FWIW.
Are you using a tube preamp with a single gain-stage?

"a couple of weeks"... that may not be enough time in terms of hours of break-in.
Room acoustics are everything. Contact GIK Acoustics.

As for phase, use a 1.5 to 9 V battery. Check that when you connect the battery the woofer moves in the same direction on both speakers.

If your speaker is bi-wireable, repeat this test on each section independently. It's OK if top/bottom don't match, but must do so consistently L and R.

Best,

E
As for phase, use a 1.5 to 9 V battery. Check that when you connect the battery the woofer moves in the same direction on both speakers.
+1, Battery test is simple and effective!
BTW, most multi-way speakers battery test only worked on woofers. Due to the passive crossover, mid-driver and tweeter have to connect the battery across the driver terminals!
IMO, 1.5V battery is better than 9V, 9V DC across a 4-8 ohm driver is way too high.
The speakers never sound the same in your living room as they did in the store. Sometimes they sound better and sometimes they sound worse but never the same. And speakers in particular do sound better as they break in.
I can attest to the fact that speakers do need break-in.  When I bought my current speakers (used) I thought I had made a horrible mistake.  There was no bass at all.  After a few days, the woofers loosened up and everything was fine.  I was quite a dramatic change.  After speaking with the previous owner, he indicated that the speakers hadn't been played in quite some time. Dick
Fast - What speaker did you end up getting?  I work for Vandersteen and was following your discussion.  If you bought something from a local dealer in the price point you discussed they should be there setting the speakers or at least on their way in the near future.  Perhaps with a disclosure of the speaker manufacturer we will have more insight.  
I got the KEF Reference 5 speakers.  I was very interested in Vandersteens but there were two issues:  there’s only one dealer anywhere near me and he only stocks the lower priced models; and running an electric line for powered speakers would be difficult.  A KEF representative is coming to my house next week to help with the setup.