speaker placement

[montg]

I'm curious how far away most people sit from their speakers when listening (talking about stereo system here as opposed to computer speakers etc.)

My back wall is about 12 ft. I have the speakers placed about 4 ft. apart and 3 ft. in front of the wall. As a general rule, the distance between listener and speakers should be similar to the distance betwen the speakers. Right now I sit about 10 ft. away from the speakers. If I negotiate with the wife and move furniture around I could get move to about 5 or 6 ft. from the speakers. That seems kind of close to me---is that the norm?

[couw]

about 10ft apart, about 10ft from the sweet spot, about 2ft from the wall/window/cupboard. not much room in our apartment.

[mikeweil]

Same her, although my living room is a little larger. It is important to have a non-reflective surface behind the speakers. Behind your seat it is notr that important.

[king ubu]

Same her, although my living room is a little larger. It is important to have a non-reflective surface behind the speakers. Behind your seat it is notr that important.

Huh? Non-reflective? What's that? (And what's a reflective background?)

(Audio-dummy's question...)

ubu -_-

[Daniel A]

Non-reflective? What's that? (And what's a reflective background?)

Reflective in this case means that it reflects the sound waves it's exposed to. A non-reflective surface is acoustically damped in some way; it could be a bookshelf full of books, a drapery, etc.

[Jazzmoose]

Hey, our speakers are optimally placed exactly where the wife demands they be placed. Fortunately, she knows they don't belong smack up against the wall, or that's where they'd be!

[king ubu]

Non-reflective? What's that? (And what's a reflective background?)

Reflective in this case means that it reflects the sound waves it's exposed to. A non-reflective surface is acoustically damped in some way; it could be a bookshelf full of books, a drapery, etc.

Thanks, Daniel! Something to be learned every day...

ubu