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5. OPTIMIZING SPEAKER PLACEMENT
The sound quality produced by your speakers can be significantly enhanced by careful attention to their
placement. You will get the maximum return in sound quality for your investment by following these guidelines as
closely as possible.
Four factors are important in getting the best sound. They are:
A. Height or angle (proper orientation of tweeters relative to listeners' ears).
B. Location away from room walls or reflecting surfaces.
C. Separation between left and right speakers.
D. Vertical orientation of the speaker cabinets.
A. HEIGHT (OR ANGLE)
The S-5000, S-250, and S-150 have a controlled vertical radiation pattern that makes the speaker’s location
critical. It is very important to aim the tweeters at the main listening position in order to achieve their very best
sound quality and their flattest frequency response.
Ideally, your speakers' tweeters should be at the same height from the floor as your ears when you are sitting
in your main listening position. Specifically, this means the distance from the floor to the space between the two
tweeters (S-5000) or to the center tweeter (S-150 & S-250).
If you have the speakers mounted above or below this height, you must tilt the speakers so that the tweeters
are aimed at your ears when you are in the main listening position.
If you have the special Angled Center (S-150AC), its front baffle has a built-in "tilt" that aims the sound either
up or down depending on orientation. This speaker is ideal for use as the center channel speaker sitting on top of
a rear-projection television set.
You can start by aligning the speakers visually. Sit in your main listening position and look at the cabinets' tops
and bottoms. When their perspective is about the same relative to where you are sitting (about the same angle),
you are at least very close to the proper alignment.
The best way to determine the proper angle is to have a helper move the speakers while you sit and listen.
You should be able to hear the difference when the speakers are in the best location by listening for the
brightest high frequencies and for the best "focus" of sound, where you hear the sharpest sonic imaging of
voices and instruments.To aim the speakers more precisely, we recommend using a laser alignment tool. One can
be purchased from M&K, simply visit our web site or call M&K directly.
B. LOCATION AWAY FROM REFLECTING SURFACES
Your speakers should generally be located away from walls, furniture, or any other reflecting surfaces. Any
object located close to the speaker will reflect the sound radiated from the speaker to your ear with a slight time
delay compared to the direct sound reaching your ear. This time delay will blur the sonic imaging and interfere with
transient performance.
The delay is very slight, so instead of hearing an echo, you hear a "blurred" sound with less clarity that is not
as sharp and distinct as it should be. This time delay also affects frequency response and sonic imaging. Bear in
mind, however, that while many satellite speakers do not perform well when placed on the floor, the S-5000 is
designed to deliver good performance whether sitting on the floor or mounted above it.
If the speakers will be sitting on shelves, locate them on the front edge of the shelf, so there is no flat surface
directly in front of them. If any speaker will sit close to a wall or any other large object, leave as much space as
possible between the speaker and the object. Ideally, your speakers will be located away from the nearest surface,
but in most rooms compromise will be necessary.
MAIN SATELLITE SPEAKER
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