Bookshelf Speaker Placement

[spmkd]

The speakers, Monitor Audio Bronze BX2, are currently placed on top of a long TV stand ( length 210 cm, height 42 cm). The speakers have about 160 cm between them. The room is 4m x 5m at 2.5m height. The Speakers are on the back of the long wall, equal distance from both walls and 40cm from the back wall.

I don't own speaker stands, and I wouldn't have place where to place them.

My questions are:

• Will there be any difference if I lift the speakers a bit higher? ( I know I can find out if I do it )
• What can I use to lift them:
  • something found at home or easily and cheaply obtainable (just for testing)
  • something that can be placed on top of the tv stand but is something elegant and effective

Thanks!

 

[Grotti]

I use iso acoustic stands in comparable setup:

ISO-Ständer

ISO steht für Studiomonitor-Entkoppler.

isoacoustics.com

They provide the possibility to tilt the speakers by using different lengths for the connecting tubes. Not the cheapest, but they also provide a certain decoupling from the surface.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

Will there be any difference if I lift the speakers a bit higher? ( I know I can find out if I do it )

The tweeters of your MA Bronze BX2 should, ideally, be at ear height. Where are they now?

 

[spmkd]

The tweeters of your MA Bronze BX2 should, ideally, be at ear height. Where are they now?

If I sit on the ground, then they are at ear level. When I'm on the sofa, it is a bit under.

 

[DVDdoug]

What can I use to lift them:

• something found at home or easily and cheaply obtainable (just for testing)

Sure... Anything! Making the tweeters ear-height is usually best. (Usually sitting. ) Tilting can work equally well as long as you don't move too much closer or farther and the angle changes. And some people don't like the "soundstage" being too-high or too-low but personally that doesn't bother me.

The construction of whatever you use isn't important as long as they don't rattle/resonate.

If I sit on the ground, then they are at ear level. When I'm on the sofa, it is a bit under.

Then you already have an idea of how much difference it will make. Although the distance from the floor (and walls/ceiling) will make some difference at lower frequencies.



...I probably wouldn't buy a "speaker stand" unless it matched the appearance of my speakers. They are specialty items that are usually priced as specialty items. If I didn't have big speakers, I'd find a cheaper solution or build something. My rear speakers are large "floor standers" but I hung them with chains sideways near the ceiling above my couch (they are angled-down).

 

[Matt_Holland]

The speakers, Monitor Audio Bronze BX2, are currently placed on top of a long TV stand ( length 210 cm, height 42 cm). The speakers have about 160 cm between them. The room is 4m x 5m at 2.5m height. The Speakers are on the back of the long wall, equal distance from both walls and 40cm from the back wall.

I don't own speaker stands, and I wouldn't have place where to place them.

My questions are:

• Will there be any difference if I lift the speakers a bit higher? ( I know I can find out if I do it )
• What can I use to lift them:
  • something found at home or easily and cheaply obtainable (just for testing)
  • something that can be placed on top of the tv stand but is something elegant and effective

Thanks!

Try using piles of books to lift them up. You’ll still need some tilt though, so try using some small thin books under the front portion of the cabinets.

The ISO stands are excellent but height is limited to 210mm, hence the suggestion of experimenting with tilt.

 

[Kal Rubinson]

If I sit on the ground, then they are at ear level. When I'm on the sofa, it is a bit under.

Then choose which seat you prefer to optimize.

Also, try to place the speakers forward on the TV stand so that their front edges coincide in order avoid a reflection/deflection from the top surface of the stand.