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New Amp Dictates New Speaker Placement?

I purchased a new amplifier a few months ago and installed it into my system. A friend who has heard my system more than half a dozen times over the previous year and a half mentioned that perhaps the speakers could be moved closer together because he could locate the sound from the drivers rather than the speakers disappearing.

The speakers had been positioned a couple years ago where they are presently located, and they have provided a superb image with many amplifiers.

The system sounds great with the new amp, but I do notice some localization of sound. Sort of a three-zone image. It's not aggregious...typical audiophilia.

Is it possible that the new amplifier has affected the image to the degree that repositioning the speakers is necessary?
tvad
shadorne's avatar
shadorne
7,333 posts
 
At the risk of being offensive (and I'm always ready to risk that :-)) I bet you are too influenced by your friends observation and have become obsessive, but have fun, thats what this is all about. Been there, done that!

I second Newbee...this sounds ever so unlikley. It is not unusual to notice new things about a recording even after having heard it many times before...it does not always mean there is a problem/fault somewhere just you listened in a different way with a different form of concetration....but like a red spaghetti sauce spot on your shirt after lunch - the more you look at it the bigger or more obtrusive one thinks it is ( others may not even notice ) - out out dammned spot!

Once you notice something and know exactly how to listen for it, naturally you notice it more often. (Probably not what you want to hear - apologies if this sounds trite)
tvad OP
9,467 posts
 
I have a nearfield set-up...basically an 8 foot equalateral triangle, give or take a few inches. I think the sound is phenomenal when I get even closer to the speakers...say within six feet. The speakers totally disappear.

Anyway. I moved them closer together by about six inches on each side, and I'm playing with toe-in again by trying less toe-in...essentially flat. I'll go from there.

Gotta tweak something! Can't just have a system that I turn on and play! That'd be too easy and against the Audiophile Code.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
Grant,
How about a new house? Tell the wife you need a special room for the new amp.
Keep my name out of this.
beavis
272 posts
 
If you have anything reflective (like a TV) between the speakers, throw a blanket over it.
newbee
4,093 posts
 
Tvad, Lets get that angst level a bit higher!

In my room, my speakers/listening position is triangulated at about 9 1/2ft and the speakers totally disappear, I don't need to get any closer to replicate a nearfield experience. Man you've got to work on that room!

:-)
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